So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:7
An old rabbi once said that the problem he had with Christians was that “the collars and cuffs don’t always match.” He explained that the words and deeds of those who claim to follow Jesus do not always align and can be contradictory. When your behavior doesn’t match what you say you believe, what type of witness are you giving?
In his letter, Paul encourages Titus to help his congregation in Crete to live motivated by the grace of God and to activate their faith in their works. Charles Swindoll said, “Make doctrine a priority in your own life… Nothing is more significant than a solid foundation in Christ. Nothing is more motivational than grace to live a life of good deeds.” He added, “Your behavior verifies your belief.”
Are you living according to the grace of God? Paul warns of those who “profess to know God, but… deny him by their works,” calling them “detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16). Paul outlines the right way to live in chapter 2 of Titus. The ultimate result of living according to God’s plan for you is your inheritance of eternal life in the future—as well as hope for today!
The challenge for every believer, whether in private or public life, is that the collars and cuffs match. Pray for wisdom and strength for believers serving in government office whose lives are constantly under scrutiny. Ask the Lord to increasingly make you a living testimony of His love and grace.
Today’s Verse: Titus 3:7
so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Titus 2:1-10
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
