Devoted to Good Works

The People of God Set Priorities
Living as a Community of Believers
Seek the Good of  Others

Titus 3:8-14 The Message

^3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
^8-11 I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off.

^12-13 As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them.

¹⁴ Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives.

 
For Reflection

Vengeance and retribution still seem to be major motivations for human interaction in all the world, "tit for tat", "eye for an eye", promises of violence.  When will it stop?  When will we say to each other, "enough,"  When will we learn to accept differences and the strength those differences offer to all of human kind?  When will the silent majorities in all nations, in all cultures, who are the victims of torment not of their making look forward to peaceful lives?

 

Pray

Kneel before God.  Pray prayers of confession, repentance, obedience, praise and thanksgiving. Pray for diligence in your righteousness, prayer and service to God.