Here Is the Gospel (1 Timothy 2:5)

[For] there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus —1 Timothy 2:5

Léalo en español

This text summarizes who God is and what is His purpose. This is the gospel: the desire of God that man would come to Him in order to be satisfied. He does this with two truths, and once man embraces them, he will grow in that knowledge.

The Bible is consistent in that it presents “one God” from the very first lines of the Scriptures. He is “the one God” because He is sovereign. He created everything that exists. He did this with a purpose that no one can thwart. But man decided not to recognize God’s authority and blocked the truth with unrighteousness. As a result, man is under His wrath (John 3:36) .

Oh, if man understood the implications of standing before the Living God and saying, “I don’t care about You”!

Someone dared to say: “Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves” (Psalm 88:7). This man was brokenhearted and spoke metaphorically. But there is One who has felt “overwhelmed by His waves.” That man is Jesus.

Recently, we heard about a three-year-old child who fell into a gorilla's enclosure in Cincinnati. At first it seemed like the gorilla was taking care of the child. But then the animal felt provoked by the spectators yelling. The danger of its tremendous strength was such that the zookeepers decided to kill the animal rather than risk the child's life.

Our God is not like a gorilla with tremendous and uncontrollable strength. However, on the last day, the day of the display of His wrath, a gorilla's strength will seem like a soft whisper in the ear. He is the “one God” whose wrath nothing would survive were it not for His restraint.

But I have good news for you. There is “one mediator.” It is common that many people who know about the first truth in this passage get confused when they look for a way to establish a relationship with that one God. Is there any ambiguity in the Scriptures? Was it a garment of skins that saved, a sacrifice once a year, blood on the lintel, a snake on a pole? All of these small acts of obedience confirmed those hearts who really waited for the only provision of God. There has always been only “one mediator.” Everything pointed to Him. And, at the same time everything was just an appetizer before the real feast—the Bread of Life. He was, He is, and He will always be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The one mediator is the man Christ Jesus.

Do you humble yourself before the only One who deserves honor, worship, and glory? Do you live that way? Do you know that the only way you can live that kind of life is through Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is greater than your own efforts or your good intentions. He is the Only Way, the Truth, and the Life. Embrace these truths and you will live.

---