«For 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).
PAUL APPEALS for prayers, pleas, petitions, and thanksgiving to be made for all men (1 Tim. 2: 1). Why? The reason is very simple and conclusive: God wants everyone to be saved (v. 4).
Established as a herald to convey a real message, sent by the will of God, a disciple who became a teacher to the Gentiles, that is, to all nations, Paul accepts the challenge.
Erli and Just had formed a nice family. He had a high post in the Brazilian Armed Forces. She was a descendant of Adventist missionary families and her greatest dream was for Just to accept Jesus, the Just One, as his personal Savior.
Just was respectful of religion, but he did not want to have anything to do God. For thirty years Erli prayed, cried, and begged for a miracle from God. She also prayed that her children Peter, Isabela and Marcio would remain firm in the Lord.
We were able to meet this wonderful family. They were invited to participate in a small group with some of the families of the South American Division offices. Bible study, prayers, fellowship, and above all God’s love and power, began to fulfill Erli’s dreams.
Just made his decision and was baptized. Peter faith was strengthened and he went to study theology. Today he is a pastor who serves the Lord and His church together with his wife Cecilia. Isabela studied psychology and today she is a professional who walks in the footsteps of Jesus. The family continues to pray for Marcio.
Paul tells us to pray for everyone, but above all to pray that everyone will be saved. We live in the most solemn time in the history of this world. The fate of countless crowds is about to be decided. «We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us» (Ellen G. White, Last Day Events, ch. 6, p. 77).
What do we need? «We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His Word . . . We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose» (A Call to Stand Apart, p. 69).
Let us be consecrated missionaries, because there are still many «Justs» who need a definitive encounter with the Just One.00