Ready for Every Good Work

The little book of Titus has a wealth of teaching. Paul is writing to his "true child in the faith, Titus," whom he had left in Crete "so that he might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town...," choosing them carefully as to their true knowledge of God and their good works which demonstrate their love of God.

Upon studying through Titus the phrase "='good work or works' kept appearing. Titus is instructed by Paul not only to be about his work choosing Elders who are showing good works, but also he is instructed to teach sound doctrine to older men, older women, younger women through the older, young men and slaves. And in Chapter 2:7 Paul tells Titus, "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works." Paul continues in verses 11-14 telling Titus that "the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people," training us to live godly lives as we await Christ's second coming, because His work on Calvary redeemed us from all lawlessness and purified us as His people, "His own possession who are zealous for good works." In Chapter 3:1 Titus is to "remind them.....to be ready for every good work."

In verse 5 of Chapter 3 Paul is quick to remind Titus, "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, which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." The good works stressed in Titus DO NOT save us, but are evidence of the good work of Christ in us.

Paul continues his theme of good works in Chapter 3:8, when he instructs Titus to insist on these things (salvation by grace in Christ alone) so that believers in God may be careful "to devote themselves to good works." Paul tells Titus that good works are excellent and profitable for people. That is followed by a list of things not to do that would be condemning for the people. Finally, in verse 14, Paul continues to instruct Titus to "let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need and not be unfruitful."

Micah 6:8 points out that God has already told us what good works we are to do. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." And, greatest of all, we have Jesus' own example of the good works as He went about healing people, raising the dead, feeding people, and telling them the good news of the Kingdom of God. We can't do all Jesus did, but we can feed people and give them a drink, clothe people, visit the sick and widows, take care of orphans, visit those in prison, and welcome strangers. Jesus says that when we do that for the least of His brothers we have done it for Him. If we do good works in Holy Spirit power they will have eternal glory, benefit others, and bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, which, as Christians, is our chief end.

Patiently Enduring Evil

As I do each morning, I was using a portion of Scripture to pray for my family. The Scripture this morning was 2 Timothy 2:20-26. When I came to verse 24 the Holy Spirit really caught my attention with the last portion that says, "....patiently enduring evil." I realized that I don't often endure evil patiently. I get frustrated with what the devil is doing around me in this country and the world. So, I paused to pray for myself to remember that God is sovereign even in evil and is using it for His glory and our good whether I see it or not. I must keep focused on Jesus who endured the greatest evil of the Cross to bring the greatest good ever for His people.

Well, God was not through with me. I got to my daily Bible reading and it was the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Not only did God show me His sovereignty, but He also reminded me that there will not always be evil. When we leave this world we are going to be separated from evil by a great chasm, and we won't have to endure hardships, trials, troubles or problems any more. We won't have to face the pressure of daily battling the evil one ever again. We may face bad things here, but our good things are yet to come. Hallelujah!

God encouraged me so much with His Word with these two Scriptures I wanted to share them with you. God once again dispelled the darkness of this evil world with the light of His Word. May God's Word so light your world.

Time's A-Flyin

Richard commented yesterday that since our move, time seems to be standing still, and yet at the same time it is flying. It seems like there is a Sunday than a blank and than a Sunday. Time goes so quickly that it is hard for us to keep up with all-the-goings-on! :-) Yet what is time for us? As James says in 4:14, "For you are a mist that appears for a little time and vanishes." We live for a short space of time on this earth and then we vanish, at least from the sight of those still living on earth. Why does the Lord have us here for 'a little time?' What are we to do in the short time we live on this earth? Let’s think about time from the perspective of Scripture given to us from a timeless God.

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for every matter under the heaven—being born, dying, planting, harvesting, etc. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 Solomon says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” In one translation John 16:22 says, “Now is your time to grieve….” In Esther we read that God calls forth His people for His work “at such a time as these.” Hosea 10:12 tells us to, “sow for yourselves righteousness;…..for it is time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.”

Romans 5:6 reveals to us from whence our righteousness comes: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” From Galatians 4:4 we read, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Even our timeless God humbled Himself to come under the bondage of time to save the sons and daughters He loves. And we know He will come a second time in great glory. But as for sacrifices Hebrews 10:12 tells us, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…” “He perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Let’s think now what He wants us to do in our time, with our time. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Time is loaned to us by God just as is money. God wants us to give back to Him tithes and offerings of our money, and in the same way He wants us to give back to Him tithes and offerings of our time. We need to be like Mary and spend time at Jesus’ feet. We need to understand the times as the men of Issachar did in 1 Chronicles 12:32, to know what their country ought to do. As Christians we ought always to glorify God in all things and at all times.

We can ‘waste’ time and we can ‘kill’ time. But we are here on this earth for such a short time it would be far better to ‘spend’ time, and spend it wisely. We need to prioritize our time, giving God the first fruits by meeting with Him daily. We need to spend time with our families, service to God, and friends. God even gives us time for rest on the Sabbath and time for fun. One day, we who love Him, will spend eternity with Him and time will be no more. May God bless the time He has given you and me while we walk in time.