Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—February 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

February 1, Titus 3

Disciples of Jesus should be markedly different from the world around us. If we’ve been born again and renewed by the Holy Spirit, we are to be submissive and obedient to authorities, and ready for good work. Our tongues must be controlled, our conduct gentle and courteous. That should be a noticeable difference from the surrounding culture from which we came. Paul remembered the way we were before we were transformed by the goodness and kindness of God—foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to passion, malicious, envious, hateful and hated.

That’s quite a difference, isn’t it? That difference is not from our innate superiority or internal strength. We’re not different because we’ve always been different. We didn’t clean ourselves up. We were once just like those who do not yet acknowledge Jesus as Lord and have not yet been changed by divine power in their lives. God’s mercy and grace justified us and made us heirs of eternal life. We’re not busy doing good works to make us different, but we are devoted to good works because God made us different.

Being human and weak, we have to be reminded about this profound change. Our spiritual leaders have to teach us how to bear fruit and make a positive difference in the world around us. They must insist on our devotion, and caution us to avoid behaviors and situations that

would lead us back into the worthless habits we left behind.

As disciples of Jesus, we live in the wonderful irony of being different from how we could ever manage to be on our own, all the while being motivated to do our best because of what he’s done for us. The very best we can do will never lift us above the status of undeserving but loved sinners, saved by his grace and not our works. We do our best because we’re amazed by his grace that’s saved us, and because we remember clearly what it was like to be lost. Far from presuming upon his kindness, we celebrate and imitate his goodness in our interactions with others.

We’re different, but all the glory for the difference is God’s. We’re changed, but we didn’t pull ourselves up by the spiritual bootstraps. Remembering this keeps pride at bay, and produces worship in our redeemed hearts.

From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.