Session 7 September 23rd 2020

 

Read

Titus 3:1-8

 

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 towards 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 Saviour 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 Saviour, 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.

 

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“How dare they. They threw you under the bus, again. You have always been nice to them, going out of your way to help them with their work when they fall short. You even invited them to church a few times because you heard them proclaim their disbelief in God. You’ve been so kind and caring towards them.”

 

“See if I ever try to help you out again. You could use some God in your life. Unbelievable.”

 

Pause! It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking about nonbelievers that way, but reacting like that is so far from the way God has instructed us to be.

 

We can all use a reminder like the one Paul gave Titus: God’s people should be big-hearted and courteous because it wasn’t too long ago we were just like the unbelievers we are now outraged by. The transformation that comes from salvation is not based on our own works but is from God’s grace. A heart that has been changed by grace exhibits humility and gentleness—the same gentleness God shows to us.

 

A heart that has been changed by grace exhibits humility and gentleness.

 

A relationship with Jesus is the primary difference between believers and non-believers. As Christians, the conviction we feel about right and wrong comes from having the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We did not earn our relationship with God, so it shouldn’t make us feel entitled. In fact, it should do the opposite. When we realize just how undeserving we are and the magnitude of Jesus’ gift of salvation through His death and resurrection, we aren’t able to judge anyone else. Instead, our hearts long for them to experience the freedom and security we have stepped into.

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Reflect and pray

 

What are you trusting in for your salvation, your goodness or God’s grace?

Do you feel at peace with what God has done?

Are you feeling entitled in your behaviour?

Do you need to know the grace of God anew?

Is there someone you need to show grace to today?

What is one way you can show that person grace?

What do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to do in your life today?