Remembering grace

In these volatile times we live in, times of cancel culture, times of twitter wars, times of people talking past each other at best, screaming at each at worst, it can be easy to respond to the people of this world by fighting fire with fire.

But Paul told Titus to remind the believers,

to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. (Titus 3:2)

Why?

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. (3)

In other words, we were once just like them.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. (4-7)

It is so important to remember God’s grace to us. Just as he poured out grace and mercy upon us, we are to do so to the people around us, in hope that they may one day repent and become heirs of eternal life along with us.

And so rather than tearing into people, we are to be dispensers of God’s grace. No less than three times in this chapter, Paul tells us we are to devote ourselves to good works (1, 8, 14).

Specifically in verse 14, he says,

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

God has called us to be fruitful in our faith, touching those who are hurting. Slandering, fighting, and tearing others down is not being fruitful.

In Paul’s words, such things are “unprofitable and worthless.” (9)

Is fighting for truth important? Absolutely.

But truth alone will not win a person over. They need to see the love of Christ in us as well.

And the best way to do that is to reach out to them where they have pressing needs.

Grace and truth came through Jesus. (John 1:14, 17).

Grace and truth should flow through us as well.