Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 2 & 3

Be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:17b-18

Peter started this letter talking about the importance of growing in our relationship with God. He finished the letter warning us about the dangers of walking away from our relationship with God and back into sin, instead of taking steps of growth.

GOD DID NOT TOLERATE SIN THEN AND HE DOESN’T NOW.

Consider the stories from the Old Testament:
— God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. – 2 Peter 2:4
– Consider Noah. God protected Noah and his family but did not spare those around him who were living in sin. They were destroyed by the flood (2:5).
– Consider Lot. He lived in a city surrounded by shameful immorality of wicked people. Instead of joining in the sin, Lot was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. God rescued Lot while making an example of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, showing this is what will happen to ungodly people (2:6-8).

God will judge those who follow their own twisted sexual desires (2:10).
God will judge those who despise authority (2:10).
God will judge the proud and the arrogant (2:11).
God will judge the false teachers who delight in deception and indulge in evil pleasures, committing adultery with their eyes and luring unstable people into sin (2:12-14).

YOU ARE A SLAVE TO WHATEVER CONTROLS YOU (2 Peter 2:19b)

That is a powerful statement. The false teachers Peter was talking about had been believers at one time but had wandered off the right road. For them, the love of money was what began to control them. They then became arrogant and boastful, bragging about themselves.

Next came twisted sexual desires, which they tried to use to lure others into this lifestyle of deception. They promised it would bring freedom — the freedom to do what you want and live as you would like. It’s your right! But there is no freedom in sin and they became slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. This is what can happen to us when we let sin slip into our lives instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to produce holiness in us.

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” – 2 Peter 2:20-22

Peter reminds us of how God destroyed the wickedness of the world with a flood and how the day is coming when He will use fire to destroy ungodly people. The day is coming, even though it seems to us like God is taking his time to judge the sin. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals the heart of this wonderful God who spends time with me each morning over a cup of my morning coffee.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. – 2 Peter 3:8-9

Peter wraps up his letter with these words of encouragement: And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved (2 Peter 3:14-15a).

Peter described what happens when we grow in our relationship with God compared to what happens when we let sin control us. He also explained how we can grow in our knowledge of God — by coming to Him, by responding to His promises, and by experiencing Him. It’s our choice now.

WHAT WILL WE CHOOSE?

Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 1

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you GROW in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. – 2 Peter 1:2

What a great blessing for Peter to speak over us as we start out our day. This is why I pour a cup of my morning coffee each day and sit down to spend time with God. I desire to grow in my knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. This morning I find in the first chapter of Peter’s second letter three different ways to GROW in our knowledge of Him.

By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by COMING TO KNOW HIM, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. – 2 Peter 1:3

COME TO KNOW GOD

The first way to grow in our knowledge of God is obvious — by coming to know Him. When we take the action of coming to God, intentionally spending time in His word and bringing every detail of our life to Him, we grow closer to Him. Our understanding of this Almighty God increases each day as we soak in His Scriptures and pray to Him. Daily we GROW in our relationship with God when we COME to Him.

And because of HIS glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. – 2 Peter 1:4-5

RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES

It’s not enough to just come to Him; we must respond to God. Because He is a glorious God and an excellent God, He is able to promise us the possibility of a godly life. He makes it possible by enabling us to share in His divine nature, with which we can escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. So when our human desires say to sin and the world is pulling us to sin, we have access to the divine nature of God that empowers us to respond to the Spirit living within us. We are no longer powerless against our sin nature.

This still requires us to RESPOND to His promises. We have to accept the gift given. By His grace, we can grow in our knowledge of Him and, in response, claim His promises. Peter explains how this growth takes place and what it looks like.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you GROW like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. DO THESE THINGS AND YOU WILL NEVER FALL AWAY. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 4b-11

GROW THROUGH OUR EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST

A third way Peter mentions we can GROW in our knowledge of God is through our experience of Him. He spoke of his own eyewitness account of the Transfiguration of Jesus and then how that experience increased his confidence in the message of Jesus Christ (v. 16-18). He spoke of the message of the prophets who were moved by the Holy Spirit and spoke from their experience of God (19-21).

Because of His grace, we are able to come to Him, respond to His promises, and grow from our experience of Him. In all of this, we grow in our knowledge of who He is – not just because we understand what we are reading, but because we are experiencing Him firsthand. He fills us with His Holy Spirit and begins to speak through us!

WOW! I love God’s plan of redemption. It’s about so much more than the forgiveness of my sins. It’s about a relationship; it’s about a process of growing that produces godly living and magnificent experiences! So, I wake up each morning and pour myself a cup of coffee. Then I sit down with my God and His word – the words that are like a lamp shining in a dark place. And then I experience Him; I experience Christ the Morning Star shining in my heart. And I grow…by grace…through faith…coming to Him…claiming His promises…and daily experiencing Him! Praise God!!

I want to be close to You / I want to be close to You / There’s nothing in this world that compares to all You are / We are found in Your presence / Seeking You in Your fullness / Give us eyes to see / You are all we need – [Lauren Daigle / North Point InsideOut]

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 4 & 5

Dear Friends,

All I have said to you in my letters over the last three days is to help you understand what you are going through. I do not want you to be surprised at these fiery trials, as if something strange is happening to you. It’s not strange, it is to be expected!

Now your former friends, they are the ones who should be surprised. They were surprised when you no longer partied with them and participated in destructive behaviors. Their reaction was to slander you. But you have had enough of all the evil things your godless friends enjoy – the immorality and lust, the feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, as well as the worship of idols. You are tired of chasing after your own desires. Now you are anxious to do the will of God.

So do just that! Chase after God’s will! Everything God has called you to do, all the spiritual gifts He has given you, do it with all the strength and the energy God supplies you with. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.

The end of the world is coming soon, when all people will have to face God’s judgment. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Did you hear that? Your prayer life should be easily described as earnest and disciplined. Most importantly, continue to show deep love for each other, FOR LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

If you think your former friends have been rough on you, watch out for your great enemy – the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, just looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. You are not the only one going through a hard time. Your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

So don’t be surprised, instead be very glad – glad for these trials that make you partners with Christ in his suffering. One day you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory revealed to all the world. In His kindness, God has called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, He will RESTORE, SUPPORT, and STRENGTHEN you and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.

So don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Instead, praise God for the PRIVILEGE of being called by His name! Be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. But if you suffer, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. For the time will come for judgment, and it must begin with us – God’s household.

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. – 1 Peter 4:19

And now, for those of you who are leaders in the Church, I have these words for you. Take care of the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly or for personal gain; watch over the flock simply because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord over the people assigned to your care but, as their shepherd, lead them by your own great example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. So humble yourself under the mighty power of God. Don’t try to lift yourself up, but wait for God who will lift you up in honor at the right time.

I know it hasn’t been easy, that is why I am writing to you. I want to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Greet each other will Christian love.

Peace out (or Peace be with all of you who are in Christ – 5:14),

Peter

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3

If Peter was writing chapter three of his first letter to us, maybe it would read something like this:

Dear Friends,

First let me speak to all of the wives in the church. Remember in yesterday’s letter how I spoke of Christ’s example to us – how he suffered for us and we should follow in his steps. In the same way that He accepted the authority of God’s plan for him to carry our sins on the cross, YOU must accept the authority of your husbands. Why? Because this kind of godly life will speak volumes to others, even those who refuse to obey the Good News. They will be won over simply by observing how pure and reverent your life is.

Look inside and SEE YOUR INNER BEAUTY – the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is what matters and this is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. Not by concerning themselves with outward beauty enhanced by fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. Instead, they trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. This is true beauty. Remember Sarah? She obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are daughters of Sarah when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Now husbands, it’s your turn. You must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should or don’t expect your prayers to reach God unhindered.

Now this part is for all of you – husbands and wives, men and women:
…all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. This is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:8-12; Psalm 34:12-16

Now, if you are doing the good God has called you to do, who will want to harm you? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of the threats of other people. Instead, worship Christ as Lord of your life!

If someone asks you about this hope that you have in Christ, be ready to explain it to them in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will only be ashamed of themselves when they see the evidence of the good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! – 1 Peter 3:17

Let’s consider again how Christ suffered for our sins. He never sinned but he died once for all sinners in order to bring you safely home to God. Hang onto that promise of safety when you suffer. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

Remember those who disobeyed God a long time ago when Noah was building the ark. Only 8 people survived that flood. Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison of those who disobeyed and died. That water is a picture of baptism – it saves you now, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clear conscience. This is effective because Jesus Christ arose from the dead!

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. – 1 Peter 3:22-4:2

So, wives submit to the authority of your husbands and husbands honor your wives, while both of you submit to the authority of God in your lives and honor Him as Lord. When life gets difficult and you suffer, remember that Christ suffered for your sins. Consider your baptism. The water that washed over you symbolizes that you have died to your old way of life, those sins Jesus carried on the cross. When you came out of the water, you were a NEW PERSON– anxious to do the will of God!

You are a new person, one with INNER BEAUTY. Instead of retaliating, keep a humble attitude and remain tender-hearted. Sympathize with others, love each other and pay back only with blessings. This is what God has called you to do and He will bless you for it!

Your friend,
Peter

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 2

Dear Friends,

Maybe this will help you to trust in God through the difficult times. Think of God as building a spiritual temple. He chose Christ for the great honor of being the cornerstone of His temple. And how lucky are you?! You get to be the living stones God is using to build this spiritual temple.

Not only are you the stones, you are also His holy priest. Because Jesus Christ is mediating for you, you are able to offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. You shouldn’t be surprised at this analogy. Remember what the Old Testament Scriptures say:

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
Chosen for great honor,
And anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” – 1 Peter 2:6; Isaiah 28:16

“The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” – 1 Peter 2:7; Psalm 118:22

“He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” – 1 Peter 2:8; Isaiah 8:14

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, but you are not like them. You were chosen by God to be a royal priest, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light so that you can SHOW OTHERS THE GOODNESS OF GOD.

“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:10

As God’s people, find your identity in Him and not in this world. Remember that you are “temporary residents and foreigners” so KEEP AWAY from the worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then, even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

While you are in this world, you must show respect to all human authority for the Lord’s sake, for he has appointed them. They have been given a job to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right – SO DO RIGHT! Live an honorable life, respect everyone and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Your honorable life will silence those who make foolish accusations against you. Don’t use your freedom as an excuse to sin.

So accept the authority of your bosses with all respect. Do what they tell you, whether they are kind and reasonable or cruel. God is pleased with you when you DO WHAT IS RIGHT and patiently endure unfair treatment. If you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God will be very pleased with you.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow his steps.

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and LIVE FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
By his wounds you are healed.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:21-25

Are you ready to look to His example, to follow His steps? You may end up with wounds but He will be there to heal you by His wounds. You may feel lost in the chaos, but He will be your Shepherd, the Guardian of your soul.

Living under His authority because I am His,

Peter

Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 1

1 Peter is a letter written to God’s people who were living as foreigners in the country we now know as Turkey. Peter knew they were experiencing hard times and persecution as their faith was scorned, their morality criticized and their hope mocked. This letter was sent to encourage them to remain faithful. As pressure increased, Peter challenged them to renew their commitment and live out their faith in order to please God and to be a witness to God’s work of grace in their lives.

Can you relate? Every year it seems like the battle against Christianity in the United States intensifies. Our faith is scorned, our morality criticized and our hope in Christ mocked. Let’s study Peter’s letter as if it was written to us just days ago. We open the mail today and there is a letter addressed to us from Peter. Perhaps this is what the letter might say (1 Peter 1:1-2:3):

Dear Friends,

I have great news for you! The God who knew you and chose you long ago, before you were even born, has given you His Spirit TO MAKE YOU HOLY. He has cleansed you by the blood of Jesus Christ and just keeps giving you more and more grace, along with a big dose of peace.

Because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He has given us the opportunity to be born again. His mercy is so great! Now we can live with great expectation of a priceless inheritance that He is keeping in heaven for us. Your inheritance is pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. God is protecting you by His power until the day comes when this inheritance will be revealed.

Did you hear that? God is protecting you, so be truly glad! I know you are going through lots of trials right now but there is a wonderful joy ahead. These trials are showing how genuine your faith in God is. Your faith is being TESTED just as fire tests and purifies gold. Your faith, which is even more precious than mere gold, is being STRENGTHENED and PURIFIED as you suffer through these hard times. And the result of your response is that you are bringing praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ.

I know you have never actually seen Him but it is obvious you love Him. Though He is invisible to you right now, you trust him as if you can see Him. You rejoice with a joy that is glorious and inexpressible! The reward you will receive for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. I hope this encourages you.

I know things are difficult right now, but think of how blessed we are. The prophets foretold of this great salvation, of the suffering of Christ and how He would be glorified. But it wasn’t for them to experience firsthand. They knew the messages were not for themselves but for us. They were filled with the Spirit and joined the angels in eager expectation of what was going to happen.

So, think about this gracious salvation we have to look forward to when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. Exercise self-control and live as God’s obedient children. He chose you; He has prepared an inheritance for you – you are His! So don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. LIVE A HOLY LIFE because that’s what He desires – because He is a holy God. The Scriptures are clear when they say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” But remember the great news I shared with you at the beginning of this letter: He has given you His Spirit to make you holy. You don’t have to produce a manmade holiness, but simply let the Spirit produce holiness within you.

As foreigners in this world, remember that the inheritance you received from your ancestors was an empty life but God paid a ransom to save you – not a ransom of silver or gold but of the precious blood of Christ, our spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom SO CHOOSE A HOLY LIFE. God will judge or reward you according to what you do – You can’t just get by on being His favorite.

So live in reverent fear of this holy God. Continue to trust in God through Jesus Christ. Because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, you have placed your faith and your hope in God. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now show evidence of this cleansing through your sincere love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other DEEPLY with all your heart!

You have a new life that will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God! You have been born again! You no longer belong to the temporary things of this world so live for the eternal. Remember what the Scriptures say:

“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of the Lord remains forever.” – 1 Peter 1:24

That word of the Lord the Scriptures are referring to is the same good news that has been preached to you. So live for the eternal and not for the temporary, no matter how strongly your faith is tested. Get rid of ALL evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

Now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness – yes, all the blessings you have experienced are only a “taste” of what you will receive – crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Get hungry for it! Crave it! Seek it! Nothing else matters because nothing else will last forever. Keep this in mind no matter what difficulties you may face today.

Remember He loves you and you are His!

With sincere and deep love,

Peter

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15 – 4:22

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! – 2 Timothy 3:5

God has given us the Holy Spirit, through whom we have the power to stop giving in to our sinful nature and start following the urgings of the Spirit. He warns believers not to live as if they have to sin, as if they cannot overcome sin. As we talked about yesterday, he calls us to recognize that the power of the cross is available to us today through the fire of the Holy Spirit.

THE AVAILABILITY OF POWER

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. – 2 Timothy 2:20-26

THE PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

God has a purpose for each one of our lives and the pursuit of righteousness is what keeps us ready to be used by Him, for His purpose, in His time, in His way. The captives are waiting for their release. Will you be faithful so that God can use you to change someone’s heart today?

But you must remain faithful to those things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teach us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

I love this scripture because it reminds me of the change that takes place in me each morning as I sit down with my Bible and my cup of coffee and spend precious time with my God. I am changed each day by His words I read on the page and His words I hear Him gently whisper. I don’t have to trust in my own ability to live a holy life but I can trust in Jesus to make changes in my heart and in my mind.

When I read a verse or passage that convicts me, I have a choice. I can say, “That’s me. I’m sinful and I mess this up every day. That’s just what I do.” Or I can say, “Lord, you know I need your help in this area. Teach me to do the right thing. Prepare me and equip me for every good thing you want to use me for today.” I use grace not as an excuse or explanation for my sin, but as the power to clean me up and make me a “utensil for honorable use.”

It is believed that this is the last letter Paul ever wrote. He speaks again of persecution, something he is experiencing first hand as he sits in a Roman prison cell waiting for what is certain to come – a death sentence from Emperor Nero.

THE CROSSING OF THE FINISH LINE

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord…With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News…Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution…But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. – 2 Timothy 1:8; 3:12; 4:5

Paul goes on to speak of his eternal reward, knowing God has never abandoned him and will be there beside him, even if he is not rescued from physical death this time. His death will not mean defeat but simply completing the race and safely crossing over the finish line into the open arms of his Savior.

And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing…

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. – 2 Timothy 4:8-9, 16-18

He puts in one sentence a summary of how he looks back at his life – a testimony that I pray I can give at the end of my life: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:7).

Today’s Reading: Titus 3

If Paul’s letter to Titus had an overall theme, it would probably be a message of telling the Church to do what is good. The culture on the island of Crete was known for being lazy, gluttonous, dishonest and downright evil. Sometimes the culture of our society makes its way into the Church, and flavors the relationships and attitudes of the believers. BUT WHEN GOD comes in and washes away our sins, He wants to make us into a new person who lives a new kind of life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to DO WHAT IS GOOD. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

BUT – WHEN GOD our Savior revealed His kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial to everyone. Titus 3:1-8

Aren’t you thankful for the work of the Trinity in our lives? We see all three at work in these verses and present in the redemptive process in our lives.

God
Because He is kind and He is loving, God saved us. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth into a new life, not because we deserved salvation but because of His mercy. And because of God’s grace, He declared us righteous so that we can have eternal life.

Jesus
Redemption was made possible when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, willingly gave His life on the cross for us – for the sinful, undeserving, unrighteous world.

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. – Titus 2:14

Holy Spirit
God generously poured His Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of this presence in our lives, we are continually renewed and strengthened to live a godly life – to do what is good.

So we were saved not only for our own benefit, for our own eternal prize. We were saved for the sake of spreading God’s message of grace and mercy to others. We were saved to serve God by serving the needs of others – within the church and within the community and around the world.

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others, then they will not be unproductive. – Titus 3:14

We used to live selfish, unproductive lives. BUT WHEN GOD in His mercy chose to forgive us of our sins, we were reborn and called to a productive life. We were created for a purpose and it is time to live up to that purpose – to do what is good. But we cannot fall into the false thinking that we are saved because of our good works, or that God’s love for us grows when we do good deeds.

Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. – Titus 3:9

Does this sound familiar? Paul gave the same warning to the Church in Ephesus, in his letter to Timothy, and also in his letter to the Philippians. When we get caught up in who is more spiritual than whom, or with whom God is more pleased, we are not helping anyone. These kinds of meaningless conversations do not help anyone live a life of faith in God (1 Timothy 1:4). It is not about building a spiritual resume to try and impress others or God.

What helps us is to remember that we were lost sinners in need of a Savior, BUT WHEN GOD gave His Son to die for our sins out of His great mercy and love, we were given the chance at a new life – a life filled with the Holy Spirit so that good deeds can become a natural outflow of our existence.

Saved BY grace, saved FROM sin, and saved FOR good deeds – all for the glory of God and for the purpose of attracting others to their Savior, Jesus Christ!

What will flow from our lives today?

Today’s Reading: Titus 1-2

I am convinced after studying Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus that he was kind of a mix of evangelist, church planter and leader. He went from region to region sharing the message of Jesus Christ to which he had been called (evangelist). At times, revival would spread across that community and a new Church would begin (church planter). Paul would appoint leadership within the new body of believers and give them specific instructions on how the Church should conduct itself as the household of God (leader).

For the Church on the island of Crete, Paul had appointed Titus to a place of leadership. He gave him the responsibility of finishing the work Paul had begun, while appointing leadership (elders) in each town over every body of believers. He gave Titus specific instructions on what to expect from these appointed elders.

An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. An elder is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.

Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. – Titus 1:6-9

Paul insisted that the leaders in the Church must do more than claim to know God and know about God, they must show proof of this relationship in the way they live out their lives (1:16) — in their character and in their good deeds. But this kind of holy living is not just for pastors and leaders, it is for all who belong to the FAMILY of GOD — young and old.

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior ATTRACTIVE in every way.

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. – Titus 2:1-14

The way we live our lives should help attract people to Jesus. We must turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. He died to free us from EVERY kind of sin, to wash us of all unrighteousness and to make us His own! His plan is for us to be TOTALLY COMMITTED to doing good deeds. And consistent with all of Paul’s letters, he again touched on the fact that we are saved by grace and not by works, but we are saved to do good works and live a holy life.

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. – Titus 3:4-7

Saved BY grace, saved FROM sin, and saved FOR good deeds – all for the glory of God and for the purpose of attracting others to their Savior, Jesus Christ!