What do you emphasize when you read the bible? So often when we read sections of Scripture we can be so distracted by our temporal vision in our own life and culture that we miss biblical statements that force our view to see a bigger purpose. The verses above come directly after Paul telling Timothy to pray for leaders and their effect on our life in the world. 1Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Whenever we come to the Scriptures, we need to read comprehensively to answer the big question – What does God want most out of this? What is God’s big purpose? God’s purpose is always in complete unity with his character. The verses in 1 Timothy 2 are so helpful for this. We might be tempted to read the first verses in 1 Timothy 2 and put our sights on a moral or ideological transformation of a culture. We might even suggest that these verses compel us to activism for a cultural change. These verses, however, neither condemn nor compel cultural activism. When we read further, however, we see that God compels us to read this encouragement to the church based on Who he is. He is a saving God. His big purpose for his glory is the salvation of mankind. For that purpose, he gave mankind a mediator in Jesus Christ who paid the ransom for our sin. There is a universal call of the gospel in every culture because God is a saving God. The aim of our cultural engagement is the good news of Jesus for all people.

When we read the Scriptures compelling the church to some type of activity in this world, we must always ask what God wants out of it. Why should we pray for leaders? Why should we want peaceful and quiet lives? Why should we be godly and dignified as we live in the culture? The answer is found in Who God is. He is a God WHO desires all people to be saved. That is Who he is. That is his heart. When we realize the big saving purpose of God for his glory, we do everything with that flavor and desire. God is a God of mission and everything the church does in this world is because of that mission.