Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, August 18, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I find it interesting that Titus sees being an heir to eternal life as necessitating good works in response. He writes that Jesus’ sacrificial act that made us heirs was not earned by us through any sort of righteousness. It was just done for us out of love. But once we became heirs, well, then it was time for the rubber to hit the road. We don’t get to sit back and say, “Oh, hey, I get to inherit eternal life! Think I’ll just sit back and wait around for it.” Nope. We get to say, “Wow! Can you believe this guy Jesus? And God? I mean, what a gift! I’m so grateful I can’t help but get out there and show that same kind of love to everyone else!” And then Titus tells us that devoting ourselves to good works is excellent and profitable to everyone. You know, like, interdependence makes it so everyone has enough and thrives and flourishes (I love that word) which is God’s will for all of us. It’s just so clear, here, that this is what we’re supposed to do. I wonder, sometimes, why this doesn’t happen more. I have to believe the world would be a much better place if it did.
How do I respond in gratitude for God’s grace in my life?
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