A Transformed Community – Witnesses in the World | October 10, 2021 | Chad Friestad
We’re living in divisive times, aren’t we? Debates about masks, vaccines and vaccine mandates, political decisions… have all been cause for a lot of division, confusion, hurt, misunderstandings, and polarized relationships. The disagreements are often understandable. But what’s so devastating is the way people are treating one another based upon their opinions and beliefs. It’s happening everywhere in our society, among many families, and sadly among many Christians. Is there a different way? Can Christians act differently, with a deep respect for other humans? Can we exercise uncommon courtesy, patience, and a gentleness that will cause a watching world to long for the love of Christ? God’s Word says YES!
As we look at Titus 3, we’ll see how believers are called AND enabled to live different, through the transforming power of the gospel.
Titus 3:1-11 ESV
Be Ready for Every Good Work
3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
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