There are two readings today.
SCRIPTURE: Titus 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior [Titus 3:4-6].
This is how Paul summarizes the good news: we are not saved because we are good, but because God is good (kind, loving, merciful).
But this does not making doing good unimportant; in fact, Paul repeatedly stresses how Jesus followers need to devote themselves to being good!
And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. [Titus 3:8]
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. [Titus 3:14]
If we are not saved by doing good, then when so much emphasis on doing good?
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [Matthew 12:35]
The answer lies in what (or Who) is in us, by grace – His Spirit is freely given to us so that we can live in a new way, devoted to doing what is right and good.
What makes us good is not our own character or willpower, but the presence of the Spirit of goodness in us.
According to Peter, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness through our participation in the divine nature [i.e. the Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4].
But we are not passive in this: Paul urges us to be devoted to doing good, and Peter urges us to make every effort to add goodness to our faith [2 Peter 1:5ff].
With the help of the Spirit, and with our own determination and effort, we can become increasingly good as God wants us to be.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:8]
The good news is not just that God has saved us, it is also that He has generously lavished His Spirit on us, equipping us to live new and good lives.
This is how the good person produces good, out of the good Spirit stored up in them.
If we live by the Spirit, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
But it requires devotion and effort, it will not just happen.
How devoted are you to doing what is good, how much effort are you putting into it?
If the Spirit is in you, He is compelling and urging you, but are you listening?
If I am not devoted to doing what is good, it reveals the spirit that really lives in me.
Am I living an effective and productive life for Jesus, am I letting His Spirit producing His goodness in and through me?
PRAYER:
Lord, my problem is not the lack of potential (or power) to do good, my problem is the lack of effort and devotion. Challenge and help me to change this!
This passage in my Bible has the title ‘Saved in Order to Do Good.’ We need an attitude of gratitude with altitude for all what the Lord God has done for us. He saved us for service by the renewal of His Holy Spirit. He has equipped us to be His Champions so we may devote ourselves to do what is good. And as the Word says, ‘ These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.’
And since He has equipped us, we can and must live the fruit of the Spirit. We must live Christ each and every day. Those around us will see that we are Christian by our love. Love God. Love man. The gospel in one word is LOVE. Help me daily Lord to devote myself on that love, being empowered by You in all I do and say. Help me to be a ‘do bee’ , something I remembered from childhood days. Do the work of Christ Who works through me. Help me to be His hands, His voice, His doing from day to day yo provide for the needs of others. One-Anothering.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.