The man Christ Jesus

1 Timothy 2:5 - Everyone can benefit from the work of Jesus if they receive the Good News and give their lives to God as a result

Photo by Manuel Rheinschmidt on Unsplash

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The First Epistle to Timothy is one that God keeps pointing me back to — this is the fifth time that He has directed me to study a verse or verses from this letter. It’s not surprising; 1 Timothy is critical to understanding the purpose and organization of the Church, the responsibilities of Church leaders, and how to remain faithful in maintaining the truth of the Word.

This verse is focused on the most important fact of Scripture: that there is no way to God that does not go through Jesus. Paul, the author of 1 Timothy, is paraphrasing the words of Jesus found in John 14:6 — “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This truth was the fuel behind Barb and I leaving the The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in August of 2019 after they adopted an inter-faith policy at their Churchwide Assembly asserting that there are “limits of our knowing” the way to God the Father. It’s not just this one denomination that is straying from this truth. David Guzik of Enduring Word has words about this disturbing trend:

iii. In the modern world most people think that any road leads to God, if followed sincerely or with a good heart. The Bible argues against this idea.

• The Pharisee and the tax collector each came to God sincerely, but one was accepted, and one was not (Luke 18:9-14).

• The rich young ruler came to Jesus sincerely, but was rejected because he did not give up everything to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-23).

• In Leviticus 10:1-3, the story of Nadab and Abihu — and God’s judgment upon them — makes it clear that we cannot come to God any way we please, and that sincerity is not enough.

• Proverbs 14:12 is instructive: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

iv. Many people think that God would be unfair or narrow minded to have only one way to salvation; but the thought needs to be turned over. To say that God is unfair for this, one would have to look at Jesus dying on the cross — the spotless Son of God, came from heaven and lived humbly and died in horrific agony, both physical and spiritual — to look at Jesus on the cross and say, “Thanks God; I appreciate the gesture, but that isn’t enough. You’re going to have to do a little more than that, because that is only one way and if You are fair You will make several ways.”

We once had a discussion with my sister, who has no faith and did not encourage her only child to follow Jesus. She became indignant when we pointed out that there is only one road to salvation, insisting that her son was a “good person” and “spiritual”. That’s true, but he’s not getting into heaven on those merits alone.¹

There’s more in this verse. The words “the man Christ Jesus” are a reminder that Jesus is still human, although He is enthroned in heaven at this time. The eternal Son of God and the Second Person of the Trinity added humanity to His deity forever, not just during His earthly lifetime. His humanity is glorified and resurrected, the template for the humanity we will experience in heaven as well.

Next, Paul explains that Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all people.” Jesus wants us to also give ourselves as well. Many Christians give their time, money, and opinions without giving themselves. To give ourselves to God means admitting that we are sinners, turning away from that sin, and accepting the truth that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and was resurrected. We thank Jesus for giving us a way to be forgiven, and invite Him to take control of our lives.

Let me repeat one part of that last paragraph — Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. That’s the heart of the Gospel; He put Himself in our place, receiving the punishment and wrath of God that we deserved. The work of Jesus on the cross was “for all people.” Everyone can benefit from the work of Jesus if they receive the Good News and give their lives to God as a result.

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Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:

‭‭Loving Father in Heaven, by sending Your Son to be my Redeemer and Mediator through His death and resurrection, You knocked down the walls between Yourself and mankind for all who believe. I thank You for making salvation so simple, although I confess that I often complicate Your gift by overthinking it. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. I pray in Jesus’ name that many come to a saving faith in You today, AMEN.

Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.

Commentary quotations from Enduring Word are used with the written permission of the author

1. In case you’re wondering, we’ve tried to bring my sister and nephew to Christ. I guess we’re not very good evangelists… We continue to pray for them each and every day, with hope that the Holy Spirit works to bring them to Christ. Your prayers will help, too!