Lisa Sheffler, author
Happy Friday! Take some time today to spend with your Father. Reflect on all he has done for you and invite him to shape your thoughts and actions according to his will.
Reflect
Read through Titus 3:1–11 one more time. What is your biggest takeaway from this passage? How is it challenging your current thoughts or actions? How does it reveal God to you in a deeper way?
Connect
“so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. 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
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you 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
When we trust in Christ and commit to following him, we are changed. We aren’t who we were. We are on a journey, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, will bring us closer and closer to the image of Christ. That is our calling. To know him, the proclaim him, and to resemble him. We need to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called.
When it comes to how we interact with our government, we must do so with humility and a willingness to submit to our rulers and authorities. When it comes to how we interact with our fellow citizens, we are to be honest, gentle, kind, and patient. In how we interact with our fellow Christians, we must bear with one another in love and maintain unity in the Spirit. In all kinds of ways, we are to do good for all kinds of people, even if it requires us to sacrifice on their behalf.
“Devote yourself to doing good.” Imagine if every Christian really did that — in every interaction and with every person. In the way they did their job, raised their kids, loved their neighbors, served their communities, and interacted with their government? In these difficult days, when people are full of frustration and fear, what are ways we could do good?
Respond
Our identity is in Christ and by doing good for those around us, we reveal his goodness and invite more and more people into his kingdom. In prayer, consider the following questions. Ask the Spirit to guide you.
How will you apply Titus 3:1–11 this week? In your relationship to your “rulers and authorities”? How can you be ready to do whatever is good? Avoid slander? And be peaceable, considerate and gentle?
How can you avoid being divisive? Are there useless or even foolish controversies that you spend too much time on? In person or online, are you engaging in or promoting quarrels that fail to bring clarity or unity, but instead fuel confusion and division?
How can you rejoice in your salvation today? In the kindness and love of God? Spend some time praising him for his goodness!