July 21, 2023

Titus 3:1-15 (HCSB)
Christian Living among Outsiders
3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,    2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. Final Instructions and Closing 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lacknothing. 14 And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

Barry Cobb
If you’ve been a Christian for any period of time, you know that conflict with the world is a part of the Christian life. Jesus Himself tells us that the world will hate us because of Him. So how do we conduct ourselves when conflict comes? If you’re like me, my first instinct is to argue. But notice some of the terms Paul uses here: "be submissive, show gentleness, avoid foolish debates”. Those stances run counter to my first instincts. I’m writing this on Easter eve, and reflecting on the story of Jesus’s crucifixion this weekend is a beautiful complement to these verses. Is there any question that Jesus could have stood in front of Pilate and the elders and defended himself from the falsehoods being spoken against Him? Of course not! By His grace we were saved, and by that same grace others will be as well. We’re to live by the example shown by Jesus and written by Paul here. Those examples will point others to Jesus, and HE is the one who saves!