Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
The Body of Christ is made up of those who believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. We should be the hands and feet of Him who loved us and cleansed us with His precious blood. By our good works we show others His love for His creation. The simplicity of the gospel of grace covers a multitude of sins.
1 Timothy 1:15-17 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
What advantage was the Jew? They were God’s covenant people they were given the oracles of God. They were the first people to hear God and to trust Him.
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ who died for our sins so that we could live and abide in Him. Once the believer accepts Jesus, by faith, no one can pluck them from His hand. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We are given the privilege to work with God to form His building. Jesus is the chief cornerstone and Paul laid the foundation. Paul laid the foundation, Jesus Christ, we build upon Him in faith. Jesus in His birth, death and resurrection did everything that was needed for salvation.
Coming out of the OT Jesus ministered only to the Jew. Throughout His ministry Jesus came to them to fulfill the promises of Abraham. Then entered Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the leader of those who follow his teachings and everything changed. Jesus revealed the hidden mystery to him of the gospel of grace, God’s gift, offered to the rest of the world. It is accepted by faith. We believe what we have not seen. Jesus is the head and Paul following Jesus is our example. He obtained mercy first that Jesus may show His long suffering mercy to His creation. Paul is a pattern for those who follow…a sinner saved by grace. From the time of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus he was the first person saved by faith alone. Those who come in after his conversion form the Body of Christ. To God alone belongs all honor and glory. (John 3:16-17) Carla
Trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance variations of this formulaic expression occur five times throughout the Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8). This phrase serves to introduce or conclude a quotation of established teaching and to emphasize the truth of what is being said. Paul recognized that his violent actions against the followers of Christ deserved punishment (1 Timothy 1:12). God’s mercy motivated Paul to serve faithfully (2 Corinthians 4:1). Forever and ever expresses the conviction that God is worthy of endless worship and adoration. Amen expresses agreement or endorsement of what is said about God. Faithlife Study Bible
Paul summarized the heart of the gospel (verse 11): Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. World refers to all humanity. Save means to deliver or rescue. Christ came to die for the sins of humanity. Paul saw the degradation of sin and understood the sinfulness of human beings. Because of this, he placed himself first among sinners. Believe on Him occurs over 185 times in the New Testament. The sole condition given for salvation is belief, having faith or trust in Jesus Christ. The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. All those who place their trust in Jesus for salvation will be saved from the coming judgment. To add any other condition to faith for salvation is to make justification a matter of works (Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:16). The NKJV Study Bible
2 Timothy 2:11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him,We shall also live with Him.
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Grace embraces and invites this self—the vulnerable and broken self—in every one of us. And with this invitation, we embrace the certainty, and savor the gladness that comes when we recognize, honor, and respect the image of God in everyone. No exceptions.
Pema Chödrön’s reminder, “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”
Yes… compassion does indeed become real when we recognize our shared humanity. Sabbath Moments
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