This week I’m going to finish my brief study on Paul’s letter to Titus, in the last chapter Paul is reminding Titus and the church that it is through God’s grace and mercy that we are saved, and we cannot save ourselves through doing ‘good’ deeds.

In this section of the letter Paul is provides us with instructions on how we are to live our lives, “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy towards all people.” [ESV] After reading these verses I’ve questioned myself have I been ‘ready’ for ‘good work’ even when I’ve had a long week with work, lockdown conditions, or have I made excuses not to get involved in a project which I know I should have been involved in?

When Paul gave these instructions similar to today’s society it was counter cultural, the church during Titus’s time was trying to live in a manner that was inline with the Cretan culture which ran counter to the apostolic teachings. If we look at today’s church within the Western hemisphere, it’s moving to a more liberal approach to Scripture so as not to cause offence and trying to appease local governments and media outlets.

When we live our lives in accordance to verses 1 & 2 it will be noticeable to our non-christian friends, who will hopefully start to ask us why / how we can be acting, living in this manner in today’s current secular climate. Paul provides us with our response in verses 5-6 “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, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, “ [ESV] Our Salvation thankfully is not based on our own merit, good deeds but is based on His love, grace and mercy for us.

This coming week think about how you live your life amongst your non-christian friends, is it similar to how you live your life when your amongst your Christian friends, on your own; or do you try and fit in with the world if so why do you live / behave in that manner is it out of fear, insecurities?

All Bible quotes and links have been taken from http://www.biblegateway.com