God means what He says

Just this week, I was listening to a nationally broadcast, Christian radio program. Two men (each of whom, has national recognition in the Christian and secular communities), were discussing chapter two of First Timothy. The specific text was verses three and four: "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (A side note: unless otherwise stated, I quote from the NASB translation of the King's Book.) One of the men (the guest teacher) inserted the words "kinds of" into the text and stated that: God really "desires all kinds of men to be saved." This man made this statement because of his bondage to a particular denominational perspective that would not allow him to consider that God really meant "all men." (Please take another look at the posting titled: "Let us repent of our sectarian ways.") Needless to say, this got my attention. It seems to me that the Lord our God does know the difference between the phrases: "all men" and "all kinds of men." He has chosen to say "all men." Just because that phrase, or for that matter, any other wording from the King's Book, challenges our preconceived notions, that are related to our peculiar sectarian perspectives, does not mean that the problem is with the Book. The problem is with our understanding of God's Word. God does mean what He says. If someone needs correcting, it is not God's Word. We are the ones who are the sinners. We are the ones in need of correction. Granted that the inspired text is the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. But, the scripture does tell me that: "But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13). Since English is my language, I must trust that God is capable of putting a reliable English translation into my hands, that He will then use to: "guide me into all truth." I prefer to trust God and what He says, rather then men and what they say that God says. Let us conclude by reminding ourselves that God does mean exactly what He says. Amen and Amen and Amen. Until next time, my beloved brethren, I continue to be:

Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus