Now What? – Page 2 – I'm Following Jesus

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Chapters: Book of Titus
Message: Saved, Now What?

Hello My Friend,

I once attended a church that never preached the Gospel, never preached salvation, but would preach Jesus loves you, and is there to help you through your troubles. I believe God sent us to that church so we could get our foot in the door to start trusting Him, but the second He seen we were truly ready to know the truth, and accept it, that was when He sent us to a true, Gospel preaching church. Millions of people believe Jesus died on the cross, that He was buried, and arose three days later, and even ask Him to come into their heart, but very few understand what that means, and because of that they are truly lost. In fact, I believed I got saved a couple of times, once as a teenager, and once sitting on the sofa. Of course, none of that was correct, because one, you only need to ask Jesus to save you once, and two, I never even knew I needed to be saved. When I finally heard the Gospel that was when I truly accepted Jesus as my Saviour, and got baptized to prove it. I was blessed to suffer a horrible allergic reaction for me to see the truth, and by the grace of God, I am alive today to tell my story so that I can be a witness to the truth. It is so important, that we who know the truth preach the truth because there are so many people being taught lies that are only leading them to hell.

“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” – Acts 26:16-18.

The book of Titus was written by Paul to a one of his most trusted friends, 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 the book is that our good works must be established and organized according to the Word of God. This letter guides Titus in the right ordering of the churches in Crete, it is quite similar to the words he 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.

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 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 1:1-3,7-11,15-16.

“teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” I just saw a headline about a man that bought a $200,000 Lamborghini for his wife who is a preacher, and let me tell you how many things are wrong with that picture. First of all, God is not against His people being wealthy, I know quite a few true men of God that God has blessed tremendously with wealth, but the majority of men of God make a fraction of that, let alone can afford a $200,000 car, and in many cases get paid nothing at all for serving God in His church. My preacher, and everyone in my church serve God willingly, not for a paycheck, tithing is given only once a week, and used for the keep up of the church, ministries, and for missions. People that are this extravagant are not teaching the truth, and are sending millions of people to hell for their false teaching. And they will be known for their works, and also have God to answer to. And the second thing, women are not to be in authority over men in the church, women can serve in the church as teachers, missionaries, counselors, ministers (servants), but we are not to be the head of the church. That is God’s rule. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” – I Timothy 2:9-12.

So, you got saved, you admitted that you are a sinner, understood the Gospel, and trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, what is next? You learn and grow in Christ, through obedience to God’s Word, and as you do you teach it to others. A pastor, deacon, teacher, or anyone else teaching and preaching the Gospel ought to be examples of living the Gospel, 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 things that would. We represent Christ, and as far as the public is concerned, we are walking, talking Bibles, in fact, many of the kids in my Sunday school class use to think I lived in the church. So, if we are living in a way that goes against God’s Word, they will not respect us or Christ. Our conscious teaches us right from wrong, common sense teaches us that there are some things we simply 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. Paul stresses the importance of all members of the church not only knowing the Word of God, but following the pattern that Jesus laid out for us.

“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. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 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 2:1-5,11-14.

“and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Following the pattern 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, and 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. Paul warns us about this.

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 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.” – Titus 3:1-8.

“but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,” Regeneration; Reproduction. New birth by the grace of God. That change by which the will and natural enmity of man to God and His Law are subdued, and a true love of God, and His Law are implanted in the heart. And this is why we who are saved are careful to maintain good works, not to keep our salvation, but to show that our love for God is true. We are born again, meaning, we have been birthed with the Spirit of God in our soul the second we received Jesus Christ as our Saviour, meaning we are not only saved from death and hell, we are given eternal life. By His mercy He saved us, not by any works of our own, but by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ alone. Praise God! The least we can do to show our love and gratitude is by living our lives in a way that reflects His Son, otherwise, the world will never see the need for the Saviour themselves.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” – John 3:5-6,16,18,20-21.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “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;” – Titus 3:5.

Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for using me to be a witness of the Gospel, I know I am a work in progress, I know I mess up every day, but also know that You do a great work in me. 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 those who use Your name for filthy money, and keep us grounded in Your Word so we can be the witnesses 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 onto them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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