March 24
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SAVED BY GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:1-7
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In this letter, Paul instructs the believers to submit to authorities and be obedient to them. Paul wants the believers to learn to follow and obey the people whom God has positioned as their leaders. It will show that they honor the Lord when they respect those whom God has assigned to be their head. If one cannot submit to human leaders who are visible to them. how can they submit to God whom they do not see? Following authority is a manifestation that one is teachable and open to grow. The believers are expected to be always prepared for all occasions to do good and never to assassinate any person’s character by slandering the. This is a form of murder in the spirit, almost just like killing someone physically in person. The person’s character is maligned with malicious intentions.
Paul emphasizes to Titus, that believers should not be quarrelsome and must be kind and considerate to all people. Paul’s reason for giving kindness and grace is that we too, were given such by God when we were once unwise, rebellious, lost, in bondage to the flesh and cravings and engaging in hatred, jealousy and hating one another. It is humbling how Paul admits his sinfulness as well in verse 3. In verse 4, we find more reasons why we need to give grace and kindness to others: because Christ’s kindness and His love for all humanity, is enough purpose for us to give others the same mercy we were given. Christ saved us, not on the basis of our works and performance, but by his mercy and love, He poured his love for all of us by giving his only Son to make us heirs of eternal life.
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REFLECTION
• Why are there so many people who have a hard time understanding grace and mercy?