October 28, 2024 -Peace, Consideration & Gentleness

JEREMIAH 51:54-52:34

TITUS 3:1-15

PSALM 100:1-5

PROVERBS 26:18-19

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

We are to follow the laws of the land and to be obedient to the law and do what is good. We should not slander anyone and be peaceable and considerate and gentle toward everyone. EVERYONE even those who don't really get along with or like. Even those who aren't that way toward us. Even when they don't deserve it.

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Jesus has shown us mercy even when we didn't deserve it. And because we have been washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit who was poured out on us we do have the ability in us to do the same.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

But we are not to be door mats that are willing to give into the lies of the world and go against God's law. We need to speak truth and hold each other to a biblical standard. When someone is living and promoting something that does not align with scripture they are being divisive. We are to kindly and peaceable speak truth to them once to restore them and bring them to a biblical understanding and then again one more time if they don't get it the first time. After that we are to not associate with them any longer. This is why it is important for a church to be clear on the doctrines of the church and the standards on which it's leadership are to live up to. Those doctrines and standards need to be prayed about and decided by all not 1 person and should be weighed against scripture. Then it needs to be taught and encouraged. Leaders should set the example and be teachers of the members. The example starts with love. None of these things can be accomplished without love. Agape love. Mercy and grace come from agape love and agape love is a choice not a feeling. There are no feelings required to show Christ-like love and we should all strive to live up to these standards.