“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.“
1 Timothy 6:15b-16
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JULY 11, 2025
At the end of his charge to Timothy, Paul’s thoughts elevate into worship and praise. The magnificence of God is revealed using descriptors such as blessed and only Ruler, King of kings, and Lord of lords. This God was blessed or favored as the only Ruler worthy to exercise authority over all things. Kings and lords ruled on earth, but each was subject to the living God whose sovereignty was absolute.
It is important to remember that this letter from Paul to Timothy is part of the inspired word of God; therefore his description of God was not his own opinion, but God’s revelation of Himself!
God alone is immortal. He has always been and will always be. No one else can make this claim; all created beings are granted life by the living God. God dwells in unapproachable light, which no one has ever seen or can see. The holiness of God shines so intensely that we are incapable of looking upon it in our unholiness as mere human beings. Paul declares God be the recipient of praise and strength forever.
Paul’s other writings state that believers are to respect established authorities on earth. The apostle relied upon Roman authority to protect him at times based upon his Roman citizenship. Yet history reveals Rome as ruler of an earthly empire that exercised brutal control over the populations within its boundaries and was often hostile to the early church. Yet Paul did not fear Rome. He knew that despite its cruel excesses and grandiose displays of power, Rome was subject to the King of kings and could do nothing to him that God had not ordained.
Paul had great reverence for God as the immortal One with such intense purity and righteousness that He could not be looked upon by creation. Yet this gap has been bridged by the death and resurrection of Jesus granting us His perfect righteousness and therefore access to HIs Heavenly Father! God is worthy to be worshipped and His power is to be acknowledged. Worship is always appropriate. We can worship at any time. Worship should be our default mindset when lying awake at night or performing the tasks of daily life. Let everything to which we put our hand, be done in worship!
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- As has been communicated from our pulpit in the past, “We are all worshippers.” What do you find yourself worshipping? How could you make worship of the living God your default mindset?
- What thoughts or experiences cause you to worship the living God?
- How can we be worshippers in all that we do?
Church Reading Plan:
- Today, July 11 : Joshua 14-15; Psalm 146-147
- Saturday, July 12: Joshua 16-17; Psalm 148
- Sunday, July 13: Joshua 18-19; Psalm 149-150