Specially the Believer

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (I Timothy 4: 10)

There is much important truth in this text of scripture. Christians often debate whether the Lord is the Savior of all men or only of some men. The above verse deals much with this point of discussion.

Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Deliverer, the Keeper and Sustainer, of all men. No man lives one day longer than what the Lord wills for him. The Lord "gives life, breath, and all things" to every man. (Acts 17: 25) Did God not give life and breath to a man, he would not be alive.

But, Christ is in a more superlative way the Savior and Keeper of believers, of his own elect, of his own children. He not only keeps their physical lives, but their spiritual lives as well.

It may be perfectly proper to substitute Christ's other titles of office in the above verse. For instance, we may appropriately affirm that Christ is "the Lord of all men, specially of those who believe." We may also say - Christ is the master, owner, head, ruler, judge, father, king, and friend of every man, but specially of the believer.

God is viewed, in the above text, in his relation to all men generally and in his relation to the believer particularly. When Paul preached to all the ancient citizens of Athens, on Mars Hill (Acts 17), he cited one of their poets, agreeing with the poet that - "we (everyone) are his (God's) offspring." Yet, all are not the children of God in a spiritual sense, although all are so in a natural sense.

Generally speaking, he is the great benefactor and blesser of all men, yet particularly and specially is he so to the believer in Jesus. He makes his "sun to rise on the evil as well as on the good," sending "rain upon the just and the unjust." God is good to all men, but especially to the believer in Jesus.

Friend, are you specially related to God? Are you being favored above the unbeliever and the impenitent sinner? Do you want to know these special blessings? The above verses show you the way.

"For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)

"To as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on his name." (John 1: 12)