Thursday 15 Feb 2018

February 15: Titus 3:8-11

Key Verse: Titus 3:8
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.

Devotion:
One thing we must not forget is just because we are saved from our sins and believe in Christ, it does not mean we can now go out and do anything we like because it will be forgiven! We should still strive to uphold the written law whenever we can. It was written for our own good as a way that we can live in peace and harmony with others. To go and destroy that way of living, just because you can, makes you worse than any sinner who does not know Christ; because now you do not have an excuse to do those things!

But we do see many people go to the other extent where they will do things written in the law in spite of others! We need to remember we can go too far and dissuade people from coming to know Christ through the things we do. I am not saying we need to bend the rules to allow us to get on with others, but to not try and extract more from God's laws than He has expounded to us! People try to see more in His Word than is actually written and tell people they are wrong because they cannot see the points they make. If God has not inspired it to be written down, then God has not deemed it required of us. Making up our own rules to suit ourselves is just as bad as breaking God's rules!

We are allowed to live through God's grace. Because of His love we are shown many mercies. Because He cares for us, we can live with Him. Making your own rules and subjecting others to them means that you are trying to act like God. It does not mean you are showing mercy or grace, nor does it mean you are showing others you love them. God's law stands! Anything else is manmade and will not survive.

Just because someone does break the law, it does not mean they are bad. We all break the laws at times. But if someone is willing to listen to you, accept the law, and then break it just because they want to, does not mean we should do the same. Stop and draw back and allow them space to see what they have done wrong. Let God do His work in their hearts.

Points to Ponder:
Do you like others to do what you say?

Do you actually follow what God says?