Doing Good
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for saving us in kindness and mercy, for acting in goodness and love.
Read Titus 3:1-15
[1] Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, [2] to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. [3] At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [8] 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. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. [9] But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. [10] Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. [11] You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. [12] As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. [13] Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. [14] Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. [15] Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
On what basis do you come to Christ? How do you now live?Paul reminds Titus of the wonderful truths of the Gospel (4-7). Christ has done all that was needed for us to be saved. This is not about us; it is all a gift of God! Yet, Paul goes on to remind Titus that “those who have trusted in God “should “devote themselves to doing…good” (8). Our actions do not precede God’s gift but flow from it. We are not good in order to make God love us; we can only be good because God first loved us.”Doing good” is a theme throughout this letter (1:16; 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14). This form of goodness is far removed from the bland concept of “niceness” that we associate with it today. Instead, it is a fully involved devotion of our whole personalities to living, thinking and speaking out God’s goodness in every possible way. Look back through the passage; how many practical examples of goodness can you find in these verses? Let’s be real and think about our own situations. At work, at home, in the shops, at the park, with the neighbors–what does it look like to do good? To do good starts as we humble ourselves before the Lord and ask him to fill our hearts with his goodness.
Apply
Journal about practical ways these verses call us to walk in what is good. Ask God to connect this to your everyday life.
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me to walk in true humility. Through Your Spirit, help me to live out Your goodness in this world.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.