One Mediator Series

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” [1]

“You are so narrow-minded!” She was lambasting me because I was insisting there is but one way to God. I had cited several texts to support my position. Among other portions of the Word, I had cited Jesus’ testimony, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” [JOHN 14:6]. I had also noted His promise, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” [JOHN 6:35, NKJV]. “What makes you think you are better than me or anyone else?” In truth, I have no illusion that I am better than any other person. The context of our conversation was not focused on comparing myself to other people; her response was to a simple statement that there is but one way to peace with God, and that is through Jesus Christ as Lord.

In the text before us in this message, we read the Apostle’s assessment of a great truth. “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” If we believe the truth presented by this teaching we will also recognise the urgency to inform others of this truth—urgency that is imposed on each individual who follows the Master because he or she knows that Christ Jesus is the One Mediator. If Christ Jesus is the One Mediator between God and man, then all who follow Him will realise the necessity of supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings that are being offered for all mankind, and especially for those who govern. If Christ Jesus is the One Mediator between God and man, we who believe will seek to lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every respect so that our lives adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, inviting opportunity to explain the hope that is in us. Join me in considering the Apostle’s affirmation, considering how the knowledge should touch each believer’s life.

ONE GOD — While there are a number of significant theological truths presented in this brief statement from the Apostle, the first that stands out must surely be that there is one God. Christians are not polytheists, nor are they pan theists; we know by revelation and by experience that there is one God. Moreover, we know this God as our Father, just as we have been taught by Christ Jesus the Master.

When Jesus was asked to teach His disciples to pray, He instructed them to address God, “Our Father in heaven” [MATTHEW 6:9]. To be certain, we know that God is Father of the Lord Jesus, but throughout the New Testament are multiple testimonies that He is our God and Father. Speaking of the unity of the Faith, Paul remembers that there is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” [EPHESIANS 4:6].

Opening the Letter to Galatian Christians, Paul writes, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” [GALATIANS 1:3-5].

Again, drawing the Letter to the Christians in Philippi, Paul gives this ascription of praise: “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” [PHILIPPIANS 4:20].

Nor was Paul’s conviction of the Fatherhood of God acquired only after years serving as an Apostle. Early in his service, he spoke of God as Father of those who believe. The Letters to Thessalonian Christians were among his earliest letters. Arguably, First Thessalonians may have been his earliest letter to have been included in the canon of Scripture. Notice how he reveals his understanding of God in that letter. Opening the letter, Paul writes, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” [1 THESSALONIANS 1:2, 3].