NEW HUMANITY 2
Opening Prayer
As you speak to me through your Word, Father, help me to hear and apply what you say to me.
Read TITUS 3
Saved in Order to Do Good
3 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.
Final Remarks
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Listen to some contemplative music of your choice as you prepare to read God’s Word and pray.As his letter drew to a close, Paul once again took the opportunity to spell out the essentials of the Christian faith—as if reciting a familiar liturgy that did not change. You can almost imagine Paul, like a teacher, writing an equation on the whiteboard, explaining how one part of it must result in the other: because of the Holy Spirit, you are a new human (vv. 4–7)!
The shape, size, and appearance of renewed humanity may not look very different from the old, but what comes forth is remarkable. It is as if to define a human being would be to list the following characteristics: good toward others, peaceable, humble, kind, loving, free, and not a slave to any self-satisfying desires. Then, just in case there is any chance of misunderstanding, Paul clarified that the Holy Spirit poured generously into their lives was what make the equation work (vv. 5, 6)!
There was one other aspect to this new humanity that made this new creation so very different: they were to make others the focus. Paul urged the believers to devote themselves to generous, helpful actions on behalf of the wider community (vv. 13, 14). This is the way of truth (v. 8).
Apply
What acts of service for the community are you involved in? Are there other aspects of being a renewed human being that you find challenging? Bring your thoughts and ideas prayerfully before God.
Closing prayer
Gracious God, show me where you would have me serve you; continue to teach me how to love others.
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