For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times; to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

(1 Timothy 2:3-7, emphasis added)

Paul is teaching Timothy and subsequently everyone about worship. The focus of the instruction regards the behavior of men and the behavior of women in church settings and in daily life. Paul exhorts Timothy and all Christians to pray for all men; to pray the needs of all men are met; to pray the hearts of all men would turn to Jesus. His “…is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Universal reconciliation embraces these scriptures as literally true. His desire that “all people” are saved and that “all people…come to the full knowledge of the truth…” epitomizes Impartial Grace. There is not one person created that He did not create in love and His love is immutable. His love is completely overwhelming as “Christ Jesus…gave Himself as a ransom for all.”

Other doctrines dispute it is truly God’s desire that all be saved. Most of those teach a doctrine of eternal conscious torment. That doctrine teaches Christ, “…who gave Himself as a ransom for all…,” really did not pay for the sin of all. Rather, the doctrine believes that Christ’s sacrifice applies only to few because they either had the foresight to have chosen to believe Christ or they had the blessing of being chosen by God to believe Christ. It is a doctrine contradicting what God’s Word declares about Christ’s sacrifice.

The Father leads us to read His Holy Word. His Spirit leads us. He uncovers God’s Word for us. What He reveals is not revealed in the traditions of men. We have read that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is a “ransom for all men.” We’ve read that “every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Christ to the glory of the Father.” We have discussed the contradictions. The plain meaning of scripture is poorly interpreted, modified or manipulated to support the doctrine of eternal conscious torment.

These verses show a powerfully, all-consuming loving Father’s boundless mercy. His love for His creation is seen in these verses. Jesus gave His life as a “ransom for all.” This is Impartial Grace.