KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, December 19, 2016
Chapters: Book of Titus
Message: Maintaining Good Works
Hello My Friend,
The books of Titus was written by Paul to a man named Titus, at the time he wrote to Timothy, approximately 63 AD. Titus was a Greek convert and fellow worker with Paul to correct problems within the churches in Crete. What we are to learn from it is that our good works must be established and organized according to the Word of God. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” – Titus 2:12.
We know very little of Titus, although he was never mentioned in the Book of Acts, he was one of Paul’s most trusted friends and disciples. This letter guides Titus in the right ordering of the churches in Crete, it is quite similar to the words his spoke to Timothy, proving that all churches representing Christ are to be the same way, authored by the Word of God, headed by Christ. Paul begins with the pastors (bishops) and elders of the church.
“If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” – Titus 1:6-11,15-16.
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught,” A pastor, deacon, teacher, or anyone else teaching and preaching the Word of God ought to be examples of their preaching, in and out of the church. I always say that I never want to get into a situation where I could compromise my position as a teacher so I abstain from doing them. We represent Christ, as far as the public knows we are walking, talking Bibles, so if we are living in a way that goes against it, they will not respect us or Christ. “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – I Thessalonians 5:15-23.
Human nature teaches us right from wrong, common sense teaches us that there are some things we simple are not to do, but there are some things we learn in this world that are rather questionable, that is where Jesus fills the void. Jesus teaches us that we are not to believe every spirit, to remain pure, sober, and under His grace, and to follow His example. Paul stresses the importance of all members of the church not only knowing the word of God, but following His pattern of good works.
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:1-7,13-14.
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:” Our good works, walking in the likeness of Christ is not for our salvation, Jesus took care of that for us, it is for those of the world to see the true Jesus. We must face reality, not every person or church proclaiming Christ is true, the world, including mega churches, media, TV, movies, and any other form of entertainment have it all wrong, they have no clue what the Bible or Jesus is all about yet they try to create it for filthy lucre’s sake. Yes, there is lots of money to be made from distorting God’s Word, and Jesus knows who they are. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” – Matthew 15:8-9.
Do you know why the majority of people who know of Christ do not follow Him? They have no hope in Him. They do not see a reason to trust in Him when “Christians” are living worldlier lives than they are. The majority of these people are not Christians at all, and are making a mockery of what Christianity is all about. This is why it is so important that we who do love and follow Christ, live a godly life, proving that a life truly can be changed and blessed when Christ is Lord of it. It is not about following a bunch of commands, it is about having respect for what Jesus did for us and honoring Him with that respect by living my His example. We are never going to be perfect until we shed this flesh and get our new glorified bodies, but we can show the perfect one in us as He ought to be represented. Keep in mind that we are all sinners, and we can fall just as easily as someone in the world, we are not to condemn anyone, but we are to use good judgment and live as true Christians.
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” – Titus 3:3-11.
“that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Maintain, To hold, preserve or keep in any particular state or condition. When a person undergoes a drastic change in their lives they take every measure necessary to make sure they follow through with what they are doing. For instance, a person wanting to lose weight will make drastic changes to their diet that will help them lose the weight. It is never easy to make drastic changes, there will be slips and lots of challenges, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing what you worked so hard to accomplish. Now, once we meet our goal it is important that we maintain what we worked so hard to accomplish, which is why we are to make goals that become a lifelong commitment. The same applies to our faith, receiving Christ as our Saviour is probably the most drastic change we will ever make, and in order to see it unfold into something great we have to maintain our relationship with Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:13-14.
Today’s Prayer: God, I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You, help me to learn Your will, and to get around other godly people who know and live by Your truths, and let me not stop teaching Your truths to others. Let us not be deceived by false Christians, and keep us grounded in Your Word so we can be the godly examples You need us to be to reach the lost. Lead us, guide us, and give us Your power, wisdom, and understanding so that our good works reflect Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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