Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Proverbs 16-18; Titus 3
Titus 3 NRSV
Maintain Good Deeds
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water[ of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure.
I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. 9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, 11 since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. 14 And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with all of you.
What does this passage mean to me/us? Contributed by Debra LeBrun
In the final chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus, who is in Crete to spread the gospel and set church leaders in place, Paul lays out more instructions about how Titus should teach the Cretans. Earlier in his letter, Paul says that “Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.” However, in this chapter Paul acknowledges that “We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.” So it was in the days of the Old Testament, in Jesus’ time, and for centuries since. Humans have a tendency to fall into these bad habits. Paul goes on to remind Titus that it is “through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”, that we are saved. All the instructions Paul gives to Titus in this letter about teaching people how to behave more Christ-like are important, but that is not enough. The Holy Spirit needs to be poured out on the Cretans for them to truly be heirs of Christ’s Kingdom. So it is for us today: we should do good things, we should go to church, we should love our neighbor, we should obey the laws, but most importantly we need to pray for God’s mercy and be washed in the Holy Spirit to truly be followers of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
O God, help us to remember to behave in a way that is worthy of the love you have shown to us. But, may we also remember that we are not saved by our good works, but that we are saved by your mercy and loving kindness. In Jesus name. Amen.
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