Titus - Chapter 3
Jeff Wood
This week on Palm Sunday, Andrew concluded the Titus Series with Chapter 3. Through the message, one of the themes he discussed was how we are created and able to walk in the good works that God has prepared.
Now, admittedly, I hear good works, and little red flags start to go up. However, throughout the past few weeks, we have seen that our justification is through faith without works. By that faith, we have peace with God, and his love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-5). At the beginning of Titus 3, Paul is describing what we "WERE"—a keyword in verse 3. And just like Paul always and masterfully does, he immediately throws the big "BUT" in verse 4 that leads to describe who we NOW ARE and what we have through Christ our Savior.
At Heritage, we go to great lengths to talk about our identity being in Christ. As such, we are to rest in HIS completed work. As Andrew perfectly put it, the Gospel of the Grace of God does not produce laziness. By rightly dividing and studying the word of truth, we continuously further our understanding of what Christ did for us and who we are in Him. By the riches of God's love and grace given to us, every interaction, action, and thought is changed forever. Why? Because it's not I, but Christ. Everything should be through the overflow of God's endless love working in and through my life. As such, we are the ministers and ambassadors for the Gospel of Grace in the lives of everyone we encounter. Grace frees us from the requirements of the law so that we can become servants of righteousness (Rom 6:18).
So, it is no longer whether we will try to uphold the law and work for our salvation but choosing to allow Christ to work in and through our lives. Ephesians 2:10 is such a powerful verse. We are his workmanship, created IN CHRIST (don't skip that and go straight to for good works). Why? Because not only is our position in Heavenly places when we are placed in Christ, but HE prepares the overflow of his love and the good works that we get to enjoy and be partakers of. This is a main reason that Paul spent so much time on love and thanksgiving. What Christ freely accomplished allows us to spread that good news and good works this Easter week as His workmanship and masterpiece.
This week on Palm Sunday, Andrew concluded the Titus Series with Chapter 3. Through the message, one of the themes he discussed was how we are created and able to walk in the good works that God has prepared.
Now, admittedly, I hear good works, and little red flags start to go up. However, throughout the past few weeks, we have seen that our justification is through faith without works. By that faith, we have peace with God, and his love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-5). At the beginning of Titus 3, Paul is describing what we "WERE"—a keyword in verse 3. And just like Paul always and masterfully does, he immediately throws the big "BUT" in verse 4 that leads to describe who we NOW ARE and what we have through Christ our Savior.
At Heritage, we go to great lengths to talk about our identity being in Christ. As such, we are to rest in HIS completed work. As Andrew perfectly put it, the Gospel of the Grace of God does not produce laziness. By rightly dividing and studying the word of truth, we continuously further our understanding of what Christ did for us and who we are in Him. By the riches of God's love and grace given to us, every interaction, action, and thought is changed forever. Why? Because it's not I, but Christ. Everything should be through the overflow of God's endless love working in and through my life. As such, we are the ministers and ambassadors for the Gospel of Grace in the lives of everyone we encounter. Grace frees us from the requirements of the law so that we can become servants of righteousness (Rom 6:18).
So, it is no longer whether we will try to uphold the law and work for our salvation but choosing to allow Christ to work in and through our lives. Ephesians 2:10 is such a powerful verse. We are his workmanship, created IN CHRIST (don't skip that and go straight to for good works). Why? Because not only is our position in Heavenly places when we are placed in Christ, but HE prepares the overflow of his love and the good works that we get to enjoy and be partakers of. This is a main reason that Paul spent so much time on love and thanksgiving. What Christ freely accomplished allows us to spread that good news and good works this Easter week as His workmanship and masterpiece.
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