by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John 5:13-19

Many of us have struggled with 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and for those who have complied, it seemed more like forced obedience. It need not be so. Our text sets out a number of important truths:

1. It’s written to those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, the firm ground for assurance that they have eternal life. The assurance is dependent on standing wholly and unequivocally on the finished work of Christ on the cross, and not on anything going on in the world. More,
2. Comparing verse 14 of our text with 1 John 3:22a, He hears us on all things we desire that’s according to His will. So, in praying for kings, rulers in all their categories and those in government, the object of my prayer is specific, that we may live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. The essential elements of that prayer were uttered by David in Psalm 144:11,12. Don’t add to or subtract from it. When the Lord rids us of these strange children the direct impact is upon our youth as well as the prevalence of economic prosperity and prosperity of the gospel! We have no excuse not to pray accurately and correctly anymore on this matter.
3. Our prayers for men, divide into two:

• For believers, our brethren, as outlined in 1 John 5:16-18. What can be more pleasing to our Heavenly Father than a church that is sin-free? and
• For men who are earth dwellers, those deeply under the deceit and influence of the prince of this present world, Satan, that they may come to the light of Christ and thus be saved-1 Timothy 2:4.

It’s time to faithfully discharge our responsibility in this appointed time, that we may be the faithful servants the Lord expects to meet at His appearance.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:42-51

Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash