God’s Interest in Everyone

Have you ever noticed that God expresses a personal interest
in everyone? Here are a few of those statements:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men
to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a
ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

He has given us some commands to obey concerning everyone:

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:1).

“Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the
church of God—even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not
seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” (1
Corinthians 10:32-11:1).

“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must
be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must
gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them
to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape
from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2
Timothy 2:24-26).

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper
time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to
the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10).

We find we are to pray for, to be kind to, to not stumble,
and to please all people; all of this is part of the means of their salvation.
We are also to be good to everyone. 

Are we obeying God in practice and with the salvation of all
people in mind?

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading
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