Do Good

As I was praying about what to write today I had no clear idea. I knew that it had to do with the love of God and how it impacted our relationships but I did not know exactly what that would be. As I was having a quiet time this morning, the answer became more clear to me. I was reading in Titus and the words jumped off the page to me. I want to share a little of what I read and my thoughts about it as God was speaking to me.

Tit 3:3-14 ESV - For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

I know that seems like a fairly long passage for a blog post but there are a couple of things in there that repeat and I thought that it was worth sharing. The first thing that I see is that Paul really emphasizes doing good works. He saw that the devotion to good works was a good way to pass our time. We are not saved by them but they keep us from being idle and from getting into mischief that can lead us away from the purposes of Jesus. These works are an outgrowth of having received the love of Jesus, being made righteous in Him and having been given an eternal inheritance. They are a sign that we have really received the love of Jesus. It also has a practical purpose. There are people in the body that need our help. When we have received the love of Jesus, helping when we see the need should not be a chore but it should be our desire because it is our response to the love of Jesus.

The second thing that really stands out to me is that we are to avoid dissension and arguments. They can cause division within the body and God is calling us to be unified in love. This one can be a struggle for me. I do not want the body to be divided but at times it gets hard for me to remember that the main goal is not to prove myself right or to win. My goal should be to always demonstrate love. To help a person see truth is important but for us, it should not be in an argumentative manner. We can state a position and we can demonstrate love to a person. After that, it is up to them to receive that truth or not. We are not supposed to engage them aggressively. When we share the truth, we do it in a spirit of meekness and gentleness. I struggle with this and become defensive too easily. I am praying for that to change.

It is serious to cause division. Paul told Titus to warn the people that did it to and after a second warning, to cut them off. He did not take those divisive discussions or people lightly. He saw the devastating impact and wanted it stopped quickly. He saw that divisive people could become a cancer to the body causing devastation with just a few words. He warned Timothy about foolish arguments. He is not saying to accept heresy or unsound teaching but to not argue over foolish things. He is also telling them to not be quarrelsome, to not look for arguments. Paul expects that there will be severe consequences for those that practice these things. He called them warped , sinful and self-condemned.

Love causes us to act on in the best interest of others. It causes us to do what is best for them and to answer the call when they have need. Love does not insist on being right. We do not have to change our position on an issue but if we love someone, we do not try to force them to change to our position to receive from us. We love regardless of how they respond. We act according to the love of Jesus that is in us. We show respect and honor to people even when we do not agree with them. It is God's job to reveal truth to their hearts. Our job is not to convince them but to share the truth is love and then let them decide to agree or disagree in freedom.

1Ti 6:4 NLT - Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.
2Ti 2:14, 23 NLT - Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. ... Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

I want to learn to love people with an attitude of gentleness and humility. I want to trust God to vindicate me and not feel a need to prove myself. I want to love the way Jesus did, the way that goes to the cross without a word of defense. Jesus, help me to look and sound like you to the world.