God Wants All People to be Saved

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“Does God love me?” Does that awful doubt ever cross your mind? The devil constantly tries to plant doubts and fears in our hearts. “Does God care about me? Did Jesus come to save me?”

Yes! The answer to those heart-wrenching questions is, “Yes!” How can you be sure? Because of one little word: “All.” Can you find that little word in the verse above? “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved.” How many people does God want to be saved? “All!”

Who is included in “all”? Everyone! “All” means every single person. “All” includes you. If the Bible were to say, “God wants some people to be saved,” we would have lots of doubts. Even if the Bible were to say, “God wants a lot of people to be saved,” we couldn’t live with certainly. But that’s not what the Bible says. “God wants all people to be saved.”

When Jesus came into our world, he came for everyone: Men and women. Jews and Gentiles. When Jesus died on the cross, he died for the sins of the whole world: Asian or African or American. There is no one left out. God’s promise of salvation extends to all. It extends to you.

So is everyone going to be saved? No. The Bible teaches that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus as our Savior. While that faith is a gift from God, every one of us has the ability to reject Jesus and his salvation. God wants everyone to be saved, but many people say, “No!” and turn their backs on God.

This is why we all need the truth. God wants all people “to come to a knowledge of the truth.” The truth that we are all sinners who deserve God’s condemnation. The truth that Jesus carried our sins to the cross and died to forgive us. The truth that because Jesus rose from the dead, those who believe in Jesus will rise from the dead too. God wants you to know the truth—the truth about Jesus’ salvation.

Why? Because God loves you. Because God cares about you. Because Jesus came to save you! How can you be sure? Just one little word: All!

Dear Jesus, the devil constantly tempts me to doubt your love for me. Convince me that you truly want all people to be saved, and lead me to grow in my understanding of your truth. Amen.

Pastor Nathan