Dr. Mac’s Minute: The Heart of Christ
NOTE: In light of the theme of this year’s annual meeting, this column is a rerun of Dr. Mac’s Minute from October 2020.
Passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Focus: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”—1 Timothy 2:3-4
Where is your heart? You can find out what is truly important to someone by listening to them talk. The thing that is closest to someone’s heart excites them. There is a passion in their voice. It might be their children or grandchildren. For most men it is their job or a sports team. Grown men will paint their face with psychedelic colors and chant over a football team. So, again, where is your heart?
If you want to make an impact for Jesus in your world, it would be good to know where His heart is. If you could hear God audibly, what would make His eyes light up?
Paul wrote to Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men” (1 Tim. 2:1). The phrase “first of all” carries two different connotations: time and priority. In relationship to time, “first” pray; in other words, before doing anything else, call on Jesus. In relationship to priority, pray “first;” in other words, devote your best and primary efforts to seeking God. Nothing is more critical.
God wants us to pray “on behalf of all men,” as our first thought and our highest priority. Why? As my good friend Larry Gnadt used to say, “I’m glad you asked!” In the next two verses Paul specifically mentions praying for “all who are in authority” and that praying is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Then comes the why . . . “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:4-6). God wants us to pray for others because God wants the lost to be saved.
God’s heart is for the lost. His great desire is that those separated from Him by sin discover the one path He provided to Himself, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to bridge the gap between the Father and His beloved creation.
I have this image in my mind of God pulling out a wallet and saying, “Let Me show you My kids!” His eyes light up and excitement fills His voice as He describes, one by one, how each became part of His forever family. Then, a stillness comes over Him. Tears form in His eyes as He says, “There are more out there, though. Not everyone has been brought in from the cold and darkness of sin. Will you pray for them? Will you pray that “they come to the knowledge of truth?”
As Jesus traveled about touching the real life needs of the masses, “He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). God’s heart breaks over the condition and destiny of the lost because He, “is not willing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
When was the last time your heart broke over someone who has not yet found Jesus? When was the last time tears fell over those wandering in darkness? Do you share His heart? If so, “first of all,” pray . . . then go and tell them of the Savior who cries over them and to them. Where is your heart? Do you share the heart of Christ?
God, help me to see the lostness of those around me and fill me with Your compassion for their souls. Break my heart for those with broken lives.