"For there is one God."
- 1 Timothy 2:5

In his letter to his disciple Timothy, the apostle Paul provides instructions about how the church is to conduct itself. In our passage, he explains how the church ought to pray for all kinds of people in various situations. In doing so, he affirms what God's people have always affirmed as a result of God's Word to them throughout millennia: that there is one God. There is nothing more foundational to the teaching of the Bible as a whole than monotheism. Buddhism denies God's existence. Hinduism teaches that there is one supreme being that manifests itself in many gods. Yet the Lord, the One who has revealed himself through his chosen prophets, apostles and ultimately through his Son Jesus Christ, has told us clearly and repeatedly that he is the one and only God.

So you may wonder, what does this have to do with everyday life? Well, do you worship the one true God: the Lord? I don't mean to merely ask, do you affirm the existence of the one true God with your lips - though that is indeed good. I mean to ask: do you honor him with your thoughts, words and deeds? Since there is only one true God, this means there is really only One to whom you are accountable for your life. Have you made it your aim to glorify him in how you relate to your spouse? Have you made it your ambition to esteem him in your conversations with your children? Are you commending him to your co-workers and friends? You see, your faith in the one true God is personal but never private. If your relationship with the Lord is isolated to attending a worship service one day a week, he is not Lord of your life, he's merely your Lord for an hour or so every week. Lordship means he has all power over your life, all authority over your life and that he is present in every area of your life. Is the one true God your Lord?

For Jesus,
Pastor Mark