Be ready for every good deed

Titus 3  from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, ² to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. ³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a person has deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. ¹⁴ Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.

Today’s text says: Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  More than being subject to rulers and authorities, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Paul says that they should also be the subject of our prayers.  First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Being subject to rulers and authorities does not mean that we comply with evil. It is that our obedience itself is a witness of our obedience to Christ and perhaps will lead to an opportunity to the truth of the gospel message. Being contentious will only lead to more contention and striving. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus says: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”  We need to see others not as judges of their sin, but rather through the eyes of grace, affording them the same standard that God showed to us.

When God’s kindness is revealed people are lead to repentance. Romans 2:1-4 says: Therefore you have no excuse, you foolish person, everyone of you who passes judgment; for in that matter in which you judge someone else, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  Again, just as our obedience does not mean that we comply with evil, our love and kindness toward others does not mean that we embrace their sin. In truth that would be hypocrisy. Romans 12:9 says: Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.  If we want people to come to the knowledge of the truth, we cannot accept, tolerate or embrace evil. In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus says: “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  It is not love to allow others to believe a lie. If we, by our acceptance of what is evil, teach others that it is okay to relax God’s commandments; to bring them up to date to the whims of the culture, we become least in the kingdom of heaven.

The text says: I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have  believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless. Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person has deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned… Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive. While Jesus did not do away with the law, it is useless for us to engage in disputes about it. There is no debate. God’s commandments need no explanation or justification. Judgement is left to God and conviction to the Holy Spirit. Those who seek to divide over the word of God still fuel the flames of division, just as those in the world who seek to divide for the sake of control. How much better would the world be if rather than striving, debating and disputing with others, we all were careful to engage in good deeds? How much more positive and productive would it be, if we leaned to meet the pressing needs of others, if we did what is good and beneficial for others?  In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says:  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Grace be with you all. And may God’s kindness and grace also shine forth in your good deeds, that others may come to the knowledge of the truth. Amen.