because He is good.

How sweet is the Word of God. If we were to treat the Word of God with the reverence that it is due, so much more of life would make sense because of the Truth that He has freely given to us. I begin this post with praising the Bible because I was moved by scripture today.

I came to Titus this morning and found that it is a letter from Paul instructing people within the church what it looks like to be a godly leader, man, woman, or worker of Christ. It teaches characteristics that stress the importance of sound doctrine as well as "good" characteristics that will let "no one say anything bad about you" even if they are hardened towards your teaching of Christ. I like Titus not only because it directly informs you how to be good according to Christ in this world but more importantly it tells you why you should be good in this world.

There is a tempting thought in all of us that sees the grace and mercy of God as an excuse to act however we want. There is also a temptation to think that we will never attain sinlessness, so why should we even try? I wrestle with the truths in the Bible that say I am saved by Jesus' work alone (not by anything I've done; Titus 3:4-5), but yet also say that I should still do good works (Titus 3:8). Can we as mere humans possibly do anything that would save us? no. Can we as mere saved humans possibly do anything to bring Glory to God? yes. When we believed that Christ died for our sins to reconcile us back to God, we also believed that we are restored images of God whose purpose is now to be a glimpse of who God is and what He is like to the world around us. And we know that because of what God did for us, He is a good God! Therefore if we are to reflect Him on this earth, we too should be good so that through us, the world can at least see a trace of the GOOD and GREAT God we serve.

"Be when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done but because of his mercy. He saved us though the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 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."
Titus 3:4-8