1Timothy 4:10 and a Volkswagen Golf
1Timothy 4:10 and a Volkswagen Golf
by Wim Janse
"for this we are toiling and being reproached, that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers"
(1Tim. 4:10;CLNT).
What a strange title, you say? That is true, but I would like to ask you to stay with me and read until the end of the page.
There are quite a lot of problems with understanding 1Tim. 4:10. Many see in the part behind the last comma a denial of what is before the comma. But that is not the case! Let's take an example:
All Volkswagen Golfs are fast cars, especially the Golf GTI!"
Does this now say that, because the GTI types are faster than the basic type, the basic Golfs cannot go fast? No, it doesn't say that. It says that the basic Golfs are already fast cars and that those GTI's are even faster! The one does not exclude the other!
Let's now look at 1Tim. 4:10.
"for this we are toiling and being reproached, that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers"
(CLNT).
Here we see the position of the believers, who have something extra, just like the VW Golf GTI has something extra over the basic Golf. The fact that God gives more, or a special salvation to believers, does not exclude unbelievers from salvation!
But there is a difference, that is clear!
What is that difference?
When Jesus was on the cross, He called out, "It is accomplished!" and then He died.
The moment he called out those words, the entire world(that is: everyone who had lived, then lived and will ever live) became conciliated with God(2Cor. 5:19). The problem between God and mankind was solved, the bridge lowered, the gap closed; enemies had become friends. Through this sacrifice, God will, at the end of the eons, become "All in all" who have ever lived(1Cor. 15:2. There is no need for anything else or anything more, not even "making a choice" or "accepting". It is a done deal!
But what about "faith" and "believers"?
Faith is a subject that has to do with life during the eons, not with what comes after that. Faith is the passport for life in the coming eons! Our faith is not a precondition in order to belong to those who will take part in "God, All in all".
Can I create this faith on my own?
No, faith is God's gift of grace(Eph. 2:
Why don't all people believe now? Because, though life during the coming eons will be great, it is not God's goal. The goal is, "God, All in all" and that is where the eons lead us to. The eons are a means, not an end.
Summary:
all people are saved for never ending life after the consummation of the eons, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The believers have an extra portion already, because they, thanks to their God-given faith, may take part in the working out of God's plan of the eons during the eons.
The error that is being made by those I mentioned in the beginning of this article is that they want to concentrate everything inside the eons. But after the eons comes something that is called "God, All in all", a whole new existence, só different and só much more beautiful, that it will not be possible to have it during the eons. Our present human languages do not have words to describe it, therefore we cannot read about it in the Scriptures.
That one sentence, in 1Tim. 4:10, expresses great truths and wonderful blessings for all of mankind. My wish is that all will get to know it, very soon!
© Wim Janse
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