Friday, October 20, 2023

Titus 3:9–11 and the greatest of these is love


I am so tired of all the dissension and hatred. Is anyone else?


God is not the creator of chaos. He is the creator of Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these? LOVE. 


It is a choice to follow the commandments. by loving God above all and loving others as we love our own family  we honor  God.


Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?


As Jesus promises, "Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light" (Luke 8:17). We are never unnoticed by God. And when our good works are motivated by faith in Him, even if they go unnoticed by man, they bring God great honor. God is pleased by our desire to do good.


Jesus is our ultimate example of humility. He deserved worship from all people while He walked this earth, but what He received instead was often dishonor, doubt, despair and devastation. Yet He "had compassion" on those He encountered, bringing healing (Matthew 14:14). He implores us to believe in Him. He has shown us the depths of God's love and desires that we love Him back. First 5


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Sarah McLachlan - Prayer of St. Francis


Titus 3:9–11

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. The New King James Version


This seems to primarily reference the problems the false teachers were causing. Titus is instructed to oppose these false teachers but should not allow for their controversies to dictate his agenda. This also seems to be a broad reference to controversies that are unprofitable in terms of the gospel reaching more people. 


Controversies and quarrels do not stir God’s people to good works. Faithlife Study Bible


Paul was admonishing Titus to avoid anything that would promote wickedness among the believers. Titus was to cut off the church’s relationship with any person who would not submit to correction after two warnings. The Greek word for warped here suggests that Satan is perverting this person. Sinning indicates that the man will not change his ways and thus continues to rebel against God. The NKJV Study Bible


Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary


Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.


Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.


2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.


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