One for all and all for One is not really about Musketeers

S - 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NRSV): "For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all —this was attested at the right time."

O - The reality of One God and One mediator is not a religious issue pitting one religion against another. It is neither an ethnic issue nor a cultural issue. It is a spiritual issue which applies to all. All are the focus of this reality and of his activity; all are wanted and all are welcomed and all are provided for. All may come, whatever their religion, ethnicity or culture … and all must come the same way -- through Jesus who was himself human. In Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew, bond or free, male or female. The result of this ransom was not divine amnesty but complete adoption … heirs of God and coheirs with Christ.

A - Every person is included, wanted and welcomed in the ransom of Jesus. All already have their place secured. The issue is will we accept this; will we embrace the adoption into the family … not into the religion, the culture, the ethnicity but into the person and spirit of Jesus? The great commission was to make disciples of Jesus, not disciples of religion, culture or of ethnically inspired patterns. I didn't ask to be born and I didn't ask to be included in Jesus' sacrifice. These realities were decided for me. Since I am born and since I am included in his death I am now being called to join him in his indestructible life as his adopted sibling. This is to be the point of my life and the point of all efforts to make Jesus known. I want to live this out, speak this out, inspire this out and be a reason someone else believes. Interestingly enough, in the Scriptures another believing in Jesus is most often tied to the way one loves not the culture, religion or ethnicity in which they engage.

P - Only God and Only Mediator and Only Hope and Only Friend,
Thank you for this day and what it has held and will hold. Help me in my struggle which is; in the effort required; in the hope of transformation; in the joy of Spirit refreshing unto the good of all. Lord, you know how I am made and the way I take. Let me love you back and make you glad. Thank you for calling all to yourself and to your family. Thank you for letting me pray, live, hope and speak in Jesus' name.
Steve