Peace with all men

Pt. 8 on the Power of Thanksgiving

Guess it's time to get back to and finish up the topic of giving thanks always for all things. It's my favorite topic, and I'm not sure I want to move on. I'm still growing in it, my experience of it is not complete. I know it's an important lesson for all believers to learn.


In 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Paul presents some thoughts on intercession: "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 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." Three different words for prayer, plus thanksgivings. Why thanksgivings? We've already seen the relationship between thanksgiving and peace. Interceding for, praying for, and giving thanks to God for all men, particularly kings and all who are in authority, results in leading a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. That's how the early Christians changed the world. No military crusades. No evangelistic crusades. No mega-churches. They weren't afraid to share their faith. They were willing to die for their faith. But they led tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity, and the world took notice that they were different. Their lives were relational-gathering often to learn from one another, to encourage and build up one another, to minister to (serve) one another in love, and to pray.

The Roman emperors often sought to eradicate them. The people around them did not understand their beliefs and often distorted them - for example, accusing them of cannibalism because they spoke of eating the body of Christ. They, on the other hand, prayed and gave thanks and lived tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity. In spite of persecution, where men are faithful to God, they can give thanks and lead a tranquil life, serving God. It does not matter what men say or do, or even what governments do. It does not matter if they are corrupt, or even if they direct their evil toward us. Even when we suffer for their faith, we can still know God's peace. Evil can't change that. Ultimately, evil will fail - not just in eternity, but here in space & time history as well. As Pharaoh hardened his heart, and his heart was further hardened by God, God's people suffered - for a season. Under the Roman Empire, some emperors persecuted Christians, some left them alone. Ultimately, the empire fell. Hitler fell. Stalin fell. The Soviet Union fell. The important thing is that in all things we trust God absolutely. Trusting Him, we can give thanks - the ultimate expression of total faith in God.