The Power of Grace

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV

   One of the most humbling aspects of the Lord's love is His desire for everyone to know Him personally. The same God who created the universe - and who interacted with Abraham, Moses, and Paul - wants us to know Him intimately.
   How tragic it is that so many ignore Him or look the other way, distracted by friends, family, celebrities, sports,c careers, and the endless details of day-to-day life. But the good news is, no matter how distant we may have been until now, the door is open to a relationship with the Father.
   First Timothy 2:4 says that the Lord "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Notice the writer doesn't say God wants "some" or a certain number to know Him. Rather, He wants everyone on earth to be saved. It's not His desire that any perish; rather, He longs for all mankind to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). And that includes you.
   Unbelievers sometimes look at their sins and assume there's no way God could grant them forgiveness. But the moment a person is willing to acknowledge his wrongdoing, the Lord is there to accept the sinner as His child. Regardless of what you've done, whom you've hurt, or where you've been in life, God is ready and willing to forgive you.
   Even for those of us who have been Christians a long time, it's humbling to reflect on God's goodness. The same grace that saved us is available on every step of our faith journey. Each day, we can move forward, safe in the knowledge that no mistake can ever put us beyond the reach of God's love for His children.
Stanley, Charles F. "The Power of Grace." In Touch: A Publication of In Touch Ministries. Atlanta, Georgia. March 2015. page 51.