One of the most pressing questions facing Christians today is the very one raised by Francis Schaeffer many years ago in his book, How Then Shall We Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. That title, and the profound insights gleaned from Schaeffer’s thoughtful reflections, comes to my mind when I read the words of 1 Timothy 2:1-2–

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

While our attention is naturally drawn to the subject of prayer, the real point of these verses is to be found in the last line that tells us how we are to live, answering the question raised by Schaeffer. Paul employs four key terms to depict the Christian’s way of life in the world: “peaceful . . . quiet . . . godly . . . dignified.”

I wonder, what would be the answers given to this same question if we were to poll believers from the broadly Evangelical world? I suspect we might not answer it the way Paul does. In fact, what the Apostle Paul tells Timothy here about the nature of our lives in this world is pretty shocking, particularly in view of its seeming simplicity and rather benign sound. And yet, it is the word of the inspired Apostle, and therefore the Word of the Lord.

On Sunday, we will take a good look at this passage. And, hopefully, we can figure out what Paul means by these terms and how we might conform our lives to the picture painted here for us.