ALL MEN

 

Photo credit: https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/key-terms-salvation-in-bible/

Echoes from 1Timothy 2:4

About happenings in the globe of late, particularly in my own nation, Nigeria; many times I told myself that if I were God, a lot of people would be long dead. Especially in light of the wickedness that we see throughout the world. I was perplexed as to why some of the world's most nasty and deadly people are still living. If they're all dead, the world might be a lot more peaceful. That morning, the Holy Spirit implanted this scripture in my heart: 

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" 1 Timothy 2:4 (KJV)

From that verse, I discovered that it is the heart 'desire' of God that ALL men be saved. The "ALL" part terrified me the most. That "all" implies those that stoned and burnt Deborah Samuel to death lately. A part of me was angry. It couldn’t be ‘all’ I said to be myself. God's desire should be "some" rather than "all." 

Then I remembered the story of Uncle Paul when he was Saul, he held the clothes of those that stoned Stephen. He must have been cheering them on and encouraging them to stone him harder and screaming "get that bigger stone" I assume. Imagine if Uncle Paul was dead when he was Saul. 

I think I prefer the outcome of his salvation to having him dead and on this account, I would say I prefer the perspective of God’s desire "That all men..." rather than mine. The salvation of a wicked man profits the kingdom more than their death, provided they will accept the finished works of Christ. God desires that all men, both good and bad, be saved. He keeps stretching his hand of love to ‘all’ men. Although "all" men may not accept the call of God’s love, because he won’t force it on "all" men, anyone who rejects his love should await his judgment.

May we not kill Saul before he becomes Paul.

- Precious 'Tomi Afolabi