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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 24 August 2024:
Titus 3:1 – Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
In another political season, we too need to be reminded: God commands us to obey the government, demonstrate the love of Christ through good works, and to be calm, careful, and courteous. Saved by grace, we are to be graceful. Having been shown mercy, we must be merciful. Many around you are slaves to various passions, full of malice, envy, and hate, which is why they need to see Christ in you. You need to reveal Christ not just in what you say, but in your countenance, your attitude, your facial expressions, your focus, your motivation, and your behavior. Kindness doesn’t mean compromise or complacency. Hold true to the Truth, and speak the truth. However, to speak the truth in the Truth demands it be spoken in love, which doesn’t just mean in the right way, it also means for the right reasons. You must speak the truth not just to defend what is yours or your family’s but because you genuine, from the depths of your heart, want to see your political opponents come to the knowledge of Christ. Don’t just check your behavior, check your heart.
- 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.
- Romans 13:1-2 — Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
- 1 Peter 2:13-17 — Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
- Acts 5:29 — But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Titus 3:2 – …to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
We are not allowed to speak poorly of anyone but must show humility towards ALL, regardless of how much they deserve it.
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another…. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:2-11) Those who are guided by the Spirit see things from a spiritual perspective and view others from that spiritual perspective, rather than the way everyone else sees things. Understanding the realities of the spiritual condition of those who are trapped in sin, particularly from our position of having been freed from sin by grace through Jesus, we can only respond to sinners with “gentle… perfect courtesy.” Those “Christians” who quarrel and who are led by their passions are not guided by the Spirit, and we should avoid them.
We must remember that those sinful people who cause so much pain and destruction are deceived and enslaved. Again, what did Jesus say on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Saved by grace, we must bestow grace to all.
Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…. so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.
Today, Paul’s letter to Titus echoes his writings to the church in Ephesus, reminding us of two things: 1) First, we are not saved by our good deeds or our own self-righteousness, but rather we are saved by God’s loving grace through faith in Jesus Christ because God loves us despite our unrighteous and sent His Son to pay for our sins on the Cross so we could have reconciliation with God and eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10) 2) Second, in light of God’s amazing grace, we should “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Believers must “be careful to devote themselves to good works.” We were not saved by our good works; we were saved for good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to fulfill – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) Good works are not the means of salvation but rather the product and evidence of salvation, and as James says, “faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26) Good works done with the right heart (selflessly rather than pridefully) are how we fulfill God’s commandment of love through labors of love — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
Good works are the fruit of faith, enabled by the Holy Spirit –
- Galatians 5:16-26 — But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Jesus says —
- John 15:4, 5, 8-12, 16-17 — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
In his letter to Titus, Paul coaches us on the practical application of good works, the fruit of faith in daily living – “Be submissive to rulers and authorities… be obedient… be ready for every good work… speak evil of no one… avoid quarreling… be gentle, and… show perfect courtesy toward all people…. avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless…. Grace be with you all.” (Titus 3:1, 2, 9, 15) Paul encourages the reader not to lose perspective when dealing with offensive people – “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But… he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:3-6) Saved by grace, not by our merit, we should be compelled and are obligated to respond to others only with grace. Abiding in the love of Christ, we can only respond to others in love, and serving as ambassadors of Christ, our message to others can only be His message of reconciliation with God through Him.
Our good works are the natural product of our salvation, the manifestation of love, and the fruit of the Spirit within us. They testify to the truth of the Gospel in our lives, but they also demonstrate God’s common grace to all people as we meet the tangible needs of those around us – “These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8) Paul concludes his letter to Titus with, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14) God calls us to love others through our labors of love, regardless of whether or not they deserve it, because serving unconditionally is the tangible display of God’s grace, the grace upon which your salvation rests. Are you still amazed by grace? Does your behavior demonstrate it? What do you words and deeds reveal to those around you about your God?
Titus 3:9 — But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Don’t let foolish debates get in the way of Jesus and His Gospel. While everyone else gets wrapped up in national politics and church politics, proclaim Jesus and the word of God which cuts through all the foolishness. Arguments over non-essential, debatable topics outside of the clear Gospel message aren’t likely to bring people closer to God or to each other. We are on a mission of reconciliation which requires gentle perseverance. Read 1 Corinthians 8 where Paul warns us to let our superior knowledge get in the way of love. Paul was dealing with a church where many still believed there were many gods rather that One God. Paul warned those who knew better not to act in ways that would simply drive the immature away from Jesus and back into sin. Never compromise the truth, but don’t present it in a way that can’t people handled by others. Would you feed an infant a steak, and then punish the infant for not eating it?
Titus 3:10, 11 — As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Avoid the divisive person who is not a reconciler. Our mission is clear, the mission of reconciliation, not division. (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19) There is no reconciliation among people unless there is first reconciliation with Jesus. Our aim is not the proclamation of “diversity” but rather the proclamation of “university” – the combination of two words: unity and diversity. God created us to be part of a universe – many different people, serving different roles in different ways, united in Jesus to fulfill the purpose of God, glorifying Him that His will be done “on earth as it is in Heaven.” Read John 17, Jesus’ last recorded prayer before the Cross – his prayer is that we would be one with God and, therefore, with each other. Apart from God, there can be no unity, and diversity isn’t a strength but rather a divider. While everyone else is proclaiming diversity, proclaim university – unity in our diversity through unity with Jesus.
Titus 3:14 – And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
God calls us to work in order to take care of our daily needs and to help others, not to build personal empires. Living in and with excess only robs you of your peace and joy while denying others what they need. Living in excess is a sin; make no mistake about that.
Titus 3:15 — Grace be with you all.
Paul ends his letter with a reminder of the grace we have received. Keeping that in perspective today and everyday will help you live out Titus 3:1-9. Seek to see every moment through the reality of the Cross.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 24 August 2024: Today, devote yourself to good works, labors of genuine love, and meet the urgent needs of others to God’s glory. While you are serving others today, tell them about Jesus. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 