Jan 14, 2016 4 min read

Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7. Text: “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED and to come to the knowledge of truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4. (Emphasis is mine.)

Just before Christmas, as we have only a few days to take care of the remaining preparation, let these few words be the center of our attention: “. . . WHO (that is God) DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED”!

WHAT WOULD BE THE SITUATION IF THE SAME IDEA WOULD BE THE DREAM OF A GREAT MAN?

No doubt there have been many great people, ladies and gentlemen, who wanted to do their best and mostly for the sake of mankind. Just to mention two names known practically by everyone: Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa. However, there have been great theologians, excellent thinkers or philosophers, famous philanthropists, outstanding leaders, heroes, and martyrs who did not spare time, effort, wealth, or even their own lives to improve the fate of others yet there are still millions in poverty, pain, suffering, and under oppression.

Let us assume that there is a gifted, well-educated, and good-hearted person whose only goal in life is to save people spiritually. What would he/she do? Most probably he/she would consult the scholars, scientists, specialists, and experts to draw up a plan how to do it, what approach to use, and how to make it popular and effective. There would be many ideas and questions left open. What would some of the critics say?

1. IT WILL NOT WORK. Finding just one plan which would suit millions of people is almost impossible. Just think how many SAVING PLANS there are for your financial investments. Thinking of the racial, cultural, religious, and economical diversities of our society; how can someone come up with a plan for a UNIVERSAL SOLUTION?

2. IT WILL NOT LAST LONG. In our history there have been great projects (remember the NEW DEAL by Franklin D. Roosevelt, or the MARSHALL PLAN for Europe after World War II) which served the purpose of helping millions but as time changed and the situation improved there were no need for them anymore or the money designated for them ran out.

3. PEOPLE WILL NOT LIKE IT. The more input that is asked for from the members of society and the more it depends on the majority vote, the more we hear this statement: “BUT I DO NOT LIKE IT.” If you know how some governments, led by elected officials, work; then you also know what a small but forceful opposition can do.

4. PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD IT. Where DEFICIT is one of the scariest words and budget cuts can be expected all over, how can someone come up with an excellent plan to save people which will be popular, efficient, and affordable? Why is the word “downsize” mentioned so often?

CHRISTMAS IS THE PROOF THAT SAVING OUR SOULS RESTS ON GOD’S “DIVINE PLAN”.

Regardless of which Christmas story we read, either in the Gospel according to Matthew or Luke, the conclusion should be the same: Christmas is the beginning of Jesus Christ’s earthly life which manifested God’s love toward men but not necessarily in that way many expected it.

If we wish to see God’s plan for mankind, Prophet Isaiah’s words come to our mind: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8-9.

But there is a proof offered by science and technology for the validity of our thinking, namely, the often heard statement: HOW COULD I HAVE LIVED WITHOUT IT? Remove the computer from every office or microwave oven from every kitchen, the TV from every living room, or car from every garage and try to live as our great-grandparents lived about a hundred years ago. Those who experienced the saving and life-transforming love of God ask the same question: How could I have lived without it?

What was and still is God’s saving plan for mankind? “‘For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'” John 3:16. For us all, this started in a visible form when Christ was born in Bethlehem.