Reading
- Titus 1:1-3:15
Devotional
During his post-house arrest travels, Paul left Titus on the island of Crete for the purpose of correcting problems within the church there and appointing elders in every town. Titus has been a long-time partner with Paul in the kingdom. There is a lot of similarity between Paul's instructions to Timothy in his first letter and the letter to Titus.
The letter to Titus explains the character traits GOD is looking for in an elder (also known as a bishop, overseer, or presbyter), the importance of refuting false teachers, instructions regarding various roles, and how all Christians should live. It is part of these statements regarding Christian life that I want to take today's devotional.
Paul reminds Titus that all of us were, at one time, foolish enemies of GOD. But even in that state, GOD's kindness and love provided salvation for us.
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.
(Titus 3:3-7 NIV)
Faith, grace, kindness, mercy, and obedience all play a role in our salvation. Let us never forget, though, that it was GOD's great love for us that motivated Him to take such steps to provide salvation for us, because we had done absolutely nothing to deserve it.
