Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
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.
Summary: Looking at Paul’s list again, we can pare it down in size and simplify it a bit. It really boils down to saying “Yes” to Jesus and “No” to the world.
Continue reading “Titus 3:8 (c) — Two Choices”
And I want you to stress these things …
Summary: Paul’s letter to Titus is very short. Yet, it contains a concise summary of Christian teachings. In this passage we are encouraged to step back and take a look at where Paul’s words have brought us.
Continue reading “Titus 3:8 (b) — Things”
This is a trustworthy saying.
Summary: What is trustworthy? Mainstream churches use a structured worship called a liturgy. The liturgy was written centuries ago to honor God’s Word. Today, liturgies still in use reflect the same truths, but they cannot guarantee that modern church leaders follow suit.
Continue reading “Titus 3:8 (a) — Liturgy”
[He saved us so that we might become heirs] … having the hope of eternal life.
Summary: Buying a house is hard work. It takes determination and dedication. These same qualities are valuable to us as we wait for our new heavenly home.
Continue reading “Titus 3:7 (c) — New House”
He saved us … so that … we might become heirs …
Summary: There are specific rules of law that pertain to a last will and testament. Paul, knowing the law, uses this terminology to explain something very important.
Continue reading “Titus 3:7 (b) — Last Will and Testament”
… so that, having been justified by his grace …
Summary: Paul’s description of being saved arrives at the concept of justification. Do we need more than we already have? It turns out we do. We need to be justified before God.
Continue reading “Titus 3:7 (a) — Arrived”
…whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior …
Summary: Today’s passage raises the question, “Who is ‘us’?” Paul gives us several clues as we look back over his letter to Titus.
Continue reading “Titus 3:6 — Poured Out”
He saved us through … renewal by the Holy Spirit …
Summary: Like a TV show where a contractor completely makes over an old house into something brand new, the Holy Spirit renews us.
Continue reading “Titus 3:5 (e) — Renovation”
He saved us through the washing of rebirth …
Summary: What is going on? Today’s passage is key to understanding what the Bible is all about. Paul explains the who, what, when, where, why, and how of salvation by God.
Continue reading “Titus 3:5 (d) — Six Little Words”
He saved us … because of his mercy.
Summary: Putting ourselves in God’s place for a moment feels weird. Yet there is something to be learned in making the attempt. We discover that creating humanity also created the possibility of family.
Continue reading “Titus 3:5 (c) — God’s Dilemma”