Perspectives

Ready to do Whatever is Good

  • Peter Friesen, Author
  • Retired Minister

Titus 3:1-7… 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. 3) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 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, 7) so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (NIV)

Should I be bold enough, and claim to be a Christian, well, then I ought to be a good Christian! My Bible even says that I am not to slander anybody. It also teaches that I should not be crabby, grumpy, snappy, and the like, because if I am, that means I will be quarrelsome. Now, who in their right mind wants to be quarrelsome, especially when we do some ill-advised things ourselves? Then it goes on to say that I am to show a gentle spirit and leave that rough language in the trash bin where it belongs.

Here is another thought that just came to me. You know, when I am admonishing a person, it is strange, and I have noticed this many times before… the very thing that I accuse them of is also my area of weakness. I guess that means I am trying to cover up my foolishness, trying to make myself look good when really, I am not that pure myself. That is being foolish.

Notice in those verses that you/we just read that we are to be obedient to the rulers and authorities. Whoa!! That is tough sometimes. Yep!! There are times when you could let loose with all barrels and let that so and so have it. But that is not what the Bible teaches. Remember you and I belong to this human race and we should behave in a civilized way.

Another thing that needs our attention… It says that we are to be ready to do whatever is good. Well, sometimes I do not want to be highly active in the service of my community. That might even sound a bit selfish. I am thinking that others should do all the work in the church or the community. However, when we are busy doing things for others life becomes interesting.

We do not always find it easy to apologize to certain people, to tell them that they were wrong. It is tough to take advice from someone with rude manners. You want to avoid mistakes, you want to learn from your mistakes, and you want to remember that the Bible teaches that we are to forgive, and then it even goes so far as to say that we are to forget the ill that has been done to us.

However, having said that, the Bible also teaches that Jesus Christ saved us, not because we were such good people/folks, but because of His kindness because He took pity on us and washed away all our sins and sent the Holy Spirit to live in our heart. Who, by the way, Jesus poured out upon us because of what He had done on the Cross; He died a sinner’s death for you and me?

All the things we have talked about are true and we should rightly insist that our Christian friends be aware of those truths. This will encourage us to be careful. I would think they will do good deeds as well. This is not only the right thing to do, but you know what? It brings good results. Why not give it a try?
To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me…? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have peace in my heart. I really want that peace, joy, and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen