Post by Les on Jun 28, 2022 20:28:19 GMT
Building Others Up By: Amy Boucher Pye
Click here for the Audio Message
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things.
Titus 3:8
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Titus 3:1–11
John Newton’s life was dramatic—not least in how he changed from being a slave trader to one who, after he came to faith in Christ, influenced the eighteenth-century movement to abolish slavery in England. Although many thought he was a Christian when he nearly drowned at sea, he admitted that he wasn’t fully converted to Christ until much later. He said that his faith flourished when he met a ship captain who helped him receive the gift of grace and instructed him theologically. Newton’s life was never the same.
His story illustrates our need for mentors, which is reflected in Paul’s letter to Titus. The apostle instructed this leader of the church in Crete to remind the believers of their new life in Christ. No longer were they “foolish, disobedient and deceived” (Titus 3:3); rather God saved them because of His mercy (v. 5). Paul wanted Titus to “stress these things” for the good of the believers (v. 8), that they would leave their old life behind and embrace the things of God’s kingdom. They needed wise people to help them live with gentleness and humility and to reflect the character of Christ.
We can take encouragement from the stories of John Newton and the church in Crete. Not only can our faith in God be strengthened through others, but we too can be used to build up the faith of fellow Christians.
Reflect & Pray
Who has encouraged you to embrace new life in Christ? Who are you—or could you be—mentoring?
Loving God, help me to pass on from the riches that You give me. I want to share with others from the goodness of your grace and mercy.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Twice Paul asked his protégé Titus to remind believers to always be ready to do good works (vv. 1,8). Although we are saved by God's mercy and grace and not by what we do (vv. 4-7), our works are the evidence of our faith. Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-10: "God saved you by his grace . . . . Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done. . . . He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (NLT).
Our Daily Bread
Titus 3:1-11
King James Version
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Click here for the Audio Message
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things.
Titus 3:8
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Titus 3:1–11
John Newton’s life was dramatic—not least in how he changed from being a slave trader to one who, after he came to faith in Christ, influenced the eighteenth-century movement to abolish slavery in England. Although many thought he was a Christian when he nearly drowned at sea, he admitted that he wasn’t fully converted to Christ until much later. He said that his faith flourished when he met a ship captain who helped him receive the gift of grace and instructed him theologically. Newton’s life was never the same.
His story illustrates our need for mentors, which is reflected in Paul’s letter to Titus. The apostle instructed this leader of the church in Crete to remind the believers of their new life in Christ. No longer were they “foolish, disobedient and deceived” (Titus 3:3); rather God saved them because of His mercy (v. 5). Paul wanted Titus to “stress these things” for the good of the believers (v. 8), that they would leave their old life behind and embrace the things of God’s kingdom. They needed wise people to help them live with gentleness and humility and to reflect the character of Christ.
We can take encouragement from the stories of John Newton and the church in Crete. Not only can our faith in God be strengthened through others, but we too can be used to build up the faith of fellow Christians.
Reflect & Pray
Who has encouraged you to embrace new life in Christ? Who are you—or could you be—mentoring?
Loving God, help me to pass on from the riches that You give me. I want to share with others from the goodness of your grace and mercy.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Twice Paul asked his protégé Titus to remind believers to always be ready to do good works (vv. 1,8). Although we are saved by God's mercy and grace and not by what we do (vv. 4-7), our works are the evidence of our faith. Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-10: "God saved you by his grace . . . . Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done. . . . He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (NLT).
Our Daily Bread
Titus 3:1-11
King James Version
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.