Romans 1:26-27

Passage

Because of this, God handed them over into the strong physical desires of dishonor.  For even their women exchanged sexual functions according to their nature for relations that are contrary to their natural development.  And likewise, even the men who departed from sexual functions with women according to their nature were themselves inflamed with passion for each other.  Men were in men while committing indecent behavior and while receiving into themselves the recompense that is necessary according to their deviant behavior.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we hear the Greek word “paradidomi” (παραδίδωμι).  God handed them over to the strong passion.  God handed them over to their dishonor.  The people desired to be in relationship with something other than Him and He was unwilling to force them to do anything against their free will.  God allowed them to walk away under their own power.  This is a fundamental truth that we must understand about God.  He desperately desires relationship with us, but He seeks genuine relationship.  He will not force us to love Him; He will call us to love Him while giving us the ability to walk away if we desire to do so.

Why is it important for you to understand that you have the power to walk away from God?  Why might it be important for you to own that you have walked away from God from time to time?

Second Thought:

In this section, Paul specifically illustrates a truth that we need to hear.  One of the most profound truths is that sexual deviance is one of the largest areas into which people fall when they are no longer focused on God.  We are sensual beings; some would even say that we are sexual beings.  It is clear from our design how things are supposed to function.  However, when we adopt a spirit of rebellion we tend to rebel against the natural design.  God has created us to mate for life.  Yet in our rebellion we learn to mate with many.  Or we learn to mate in ways that God hasn’t created for us to mate.  Perhaps we learn to value sexuality over relationship.  We exchange our natural function of mating male and female for life and instead adopt a lifestyle of deviant sexual pursuit.  When a person – and especially a society – turns in rebellion against God we should expect sexual deviance to be not too far behind.

Can you say that this is true in your life?  In those moments when you turned from God, did you also become more sexually deviant – or at least find yourself prone to sexual urges that are not what God would desire for you?  If this is true, how can our sexuality help us evaluate our closeness to God?

Third Thought:

Paul speaks about recompense.  Deviant behavior brings consequence.  When we pursue deviance with our heart, we get the fruit of the act.  What’s interesting is that typically God doesn’t have to “punish us.”  We usually create our own circumstance of punishment.  We literally get what we’ve made.  To quote a cliché, in deviant behavior we make the bed in which we then need to lie.

When in your life have you rebelled from God and created a circumstance of getting what you deserve?  Why is it important to have an understanding of repentance and forgiveness when we are people who have sinful and deviant hearts?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:28-32

Romans 1:24-25

Passage

Therefore, in the lusts of their hearts, God handed them over into the impurity of dishonor in their bodies among them.  These people exchanged the truth of God in for a lie and also worshiped and venerated the creation instead of the one who created – who is praised into the ages, amen!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

God handed over those people who would rather worship things or ideas than the Creator.  As I was looking at this passage, I realized that the verb in Romans 1:24 is the same verb that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 11:23.  The Greek word is “paradidomi” (παραδίδωμι).  It is made up of two Greek words: “to give” and “over/across.”  God gave Jesus over to the world (1 Corinthians 11:23).  God gave the world over to their sinful lusts.  God is omnipotent, but God understands the importance of free will.  While He may be disgusted by any sinful choices that come out of our free will, God allows us to pursue it.  He allows us to pursue sinfulness in free will so that upon seeing our sinful nature we might truly understand ourselves and turn to Him.  God lets us pursue the lusts of our own hearts so that we might learn to turn to Him in love.

What do you pursue in this life besides God?  How might God hand you over to the pursuit of that sinful behavior?  When you realize what is happening, how can you respond?

Second Thought:

In this passage, Paul talks about how humanity worships and venerates the false gods in our life.  The Greek word for “venerate” is a neat word and it literally means “to express in attitude and ritual one’s allegiance to and regard for deity.”  Paul is speaking about actions, ritual, or habit.  When our hearts go to something that is not God, our actions will follow.  As creatures of habit, we will be able to see ourselves acting in ways that are not consistent with following God.  Our actions – especially our rituals and habits – can be an indicator of our heart.

Where can you see habits that demonstrate that you are following God?  Where can you see habits that demonstrate that you are not following God?  What do these actions tell you that you are following?

Third Thought:

Paul ends these verses with the truth that God is to be praised forever.  In the end, all that will remain is God.  This world will pass away.  Everything in this world will come to an end.  But God will remain.  God will be forever.  He is to be praised forever.  Remarkably, He has invited us to be there with Him forever and ever, too.  He is indeed deserving of our praise!

How do you worship God?  How does it make you feel to know that you are invited to be a part of His immortality in spite of being part of a very mortal creation?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:26-27

Romans 1:21-23

Passage

Rather, after knowing God they neither honored Him as God nor gave thanks.  They became useless in their thorough reasoning and their senseless hearts were unable to perceive.  While asserting to be wise they were becoming foolish and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of mortal men and four-footed animals and reptiles.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here Paul gives us the source of human corruption.  We know that God has desired relationship with humanity since He brought the world into existence.  It is not Him who has turned away from us!  It is we who turn away from Him.  We are not satisfied with His vision.  We are not satisfied with His presence in our life.  We are not satisfied with His invisible and immortal qualities.  So we turn aside to other things.  We stop giving thanks.  We stop honoring Him as God.  Our vision is cast upon other things.  Our focus goes elsewhere.  This is the fundamental problem with all of humanity.

How does your vision stray from God?  Where are you unsatisfied with God’s presence in your life?  Where have you failed to honor Him and give Him thanks?

Second Thought:

As human beings become unsatisfied with how God reveals Himself to us, we turn to other things.  Ancient people turned to gods.  The Egyptians made gods out of all sorts of animals, and this is likely the nation that Paul is thinking about as he writes these words.  However, the Egyptians are not the only culture to lift up animals as gods.  In more modern contexts, we no longer lift up animals.  We lift up one another as gods in our lives.  We lift up ideas and ideals as gods.  We lift up goals as gods.  We lift up possessions and money as gods.  Whereas ancient people replaced God with things they could see, modern people are great at replacing an invisible God with equally intangible substitute gods.

What gods do you follow in your life besides the one God?  How does your pursuit of these false gods interfere with your pursuit of God?

Third Thought:

Paul also tells us the natural result of pursuing things other than God.  When we take our eyes away from God, what should be thorough reasoning turns into futile thinking.  When our focus is elsewhere, we become unable to perceive.  We think we become so wise, yet when our heart and our eyes are away from God we simply become the fool.

Where are you foolish in your life?  How might looking at areas of foolishness in your life help you to discern the areas where you are not focused upon God?  How can you become focused upon God in these areas?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:24-25

Romans 1:18-20

Passage

For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven upon all manners of living in an ungodly manner and unrighteousness of mankind – the ones who restrain the truth in unrighteousness – because the known things of God are evident in this.  For God has made it evident to them.  For His hidden things that are understood are being perceived clearly from the creation of the world by that which is made.  These things are His eternal power and divine nature, in order that they are unable to justify themselves.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul has spoken about how it is that we receive salvation and faith.  Now Paul goes into a fairly lengthy passage about how it is that God looks upon humanity – and we’ll be in it for many days.  The first thing that Paul indicates is that God looks upon those who restrain the truth in unrighteousness.  Let’s face it.  A genuine look upon humanity is not pretty at all.  But it is something that we must do.  We are all fallen.  We have all sinned.  We are all unrighteous.  On some level we all suppress the truth in what we say and how we live.  Every single one of us is guilty.  These are not verses about “us and them.”  These are verses about “us.”

How do you feel when you consider your own sinfulness?  Is it easy or difficult for you to examine your own sin?  How have you lived in such a way as to suppress God’s truth?

Second Thought:

The truth is that we have no excuse.  God – who is invisible to our eyes – has laced our creation with Himself.  We can perceive God all around us.  There is a beauty to creation.  There is a rhythm and logic about creation.  There is order within the chaos.  There is motherly love and community within creation.  I can go on, but I think I have made enough point here.  We may not see Him directly, but we can see Him in that which He has made.

Where do you see God the most brilliantly?  Do you see God in you or the people around you at all?  Even though we cannot see God, is it still possible to know Him and His character?

Third Thought:

God puts His power and His divine character on display in order that we might have no excuse.  At first, this might seem like a difficult or uncompassionate response from God.  But in truth, this fact is incredibly important and immensely compassionate.  Because we have no excuse, we have nowhere to turn except to the grace of God.  Because we have no excuse, we know that salvation can only come through the cross.  Had God left His character hidden, we might think that we can save ourselves or that we can excuse our behavior.  But we have no excuse.  The course ahead is laid out.  There is only one way.  Repent.  Seek forgiveness.  Cling to the cross.  Receive God’s grace.

Have you ever thought of being unquestionably guilty as a blessing?  Do you think there are people out there who believe they can save themselves or earn God’s love?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:21-23

Romans 1:16-17

Passage

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God into all the ones who are faithful: first to Jews and then to Greeks.  For the righteousness of God is being revealed out of faith into faith through Him, just as it has been written, “And the righteous shall live by faith.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel.  I think this is a simple point, but it is a point worth making.  How many times do we make excuses for our faith or the fact that we believe in God?  How many times do we put up boundaries so that we know where our faith can exist and where our faith needs to be hidden?  No!  Paul is not ashamed!  I am reminded of Matthew 5:14-16.  You do not put a light under a basket, for then the light will not be able to accomplish its purpose.  The same is true for us.  We have been given the Gospel so that God may shine before mankind.

When do you hide your identity as a Christian?  Where do you hide your identity as a Christian?  What might God be saying to you about this?

Second Thought:

Paul talks an awful lot about faith in this passage.  In fact, the word (or a direct derivative of the word) is used four times in these two verses alone.  The Gospel is the power of God into all the ones who are faithful.  In other words, we are indeed saved by God’s grace through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ on the cross.  But the power of the message of salvation comes upon us when we not only believe in the message but also faithfully respond to it.  When God is made incarnate in us then the power of God works magnificently through us!  Also, don’t forget that the Greek word for “power” is the root of our English word dynamite.  The Gospel of God’s salvation is explosively powerful in us.

Have you ever felt explosively powerful in God?  How do those times correlate with your willingness to be faithful?  How might this line of thinking also tie into submission?

Third Thought:

Paul tells us that it was through Jesus that faith was being revealed out of faith (or even, faithfulness).  Here is literally what Paul is saying.  Jesus came.  He was faithful to what God asked of Him.  Through that faithfulness, we can see righteousness.  Out of that faithfulness – because He died on the cross for our sake – we come into faith.  Literally, our faith is born out of Christ’s faith.  Without the faithfulness of Christ, our faith is nothing.

How do you understand where faith comes from?  What does it mean to you to hear someone say that without Christ our faith is nothing?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:18-20

Romans 1:13-15

Passage

And I do not desire you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that many times I planned to come to you all – and I was being prevented until now – in order that I should have some fruit also in you just as I should have in the rest of the Gentiles.  I am under an obligation to the Greeks and the barbarians and even to the wise and the foolish.  Thus there is an eagerness according to me to also preach the good news to you all who are in Rome.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Yesterday we focused on the mutual encouragement that will come from a meeting between Paul and the Roman believers.  Today, however, we see that Paul is not only focused upon mutual encouragement.  Paul’s focus is always upon bearing fruit.  Paul is always looking for an opportunity to increase faith in believers and to foster new faith in non-believers.  There is always room to grow, and Paul demonstrates what it is like to be ready for whatever God has in store for those willing to grow.

Are you satisfied with what God has done in your life right now?  How interested are you being ready to take advantage of any opportunity that God might put in your life?  Who might God be asking you to reach and help bear fruit?

Second Thought:

Paul informs the Romans that he is under an obligation to preach.  This is what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus.  Yes, Paul has an incredible capacity.  But he is ready within this capacity.  He understands how God is using him.  Not all Christians have the capacity to minister to as many people in as many places as Paul, but all Christians have the ability to be prepared to minister to whomever God has put into their life for such a purpose.  In fact, to use the words of Paul, it is our obligation to be ready to be used by God.

Do you see the proclamation of the Gospel to the world as your obligation?  If not, who is under such an obligation if not you?  If so, how are you preparing to be ready to act upon that obligation when God should call?

Third Thought:

As we look at Paul’s capacity, Paul says that he is obligated to speak to the wise, the foolish, the Greeks, and to the barbarians.  The word barbarian isn’t a designation of education as much as it is a designation of crudeness.  A “Greek” is someone who lives in a cultured manner, speaks in a pleasant flowing language, and whose society is ordered.  A barbarian is someone whose society is unordered, whose speech is harsh, and whose language might be perhaps uncouth.  What is important to note is that Paul considers the whole spectrum as his target.  Paul has the same approach as God.  It is not the outside that determines a person’s ability to respond to the call of God; it is the willingness of the person’s spirit to be open to God that determines their ability to be in relationship with God.

How good are you at looking into a person’s spirit and not being blinded by their outward appearances?  When have you been surprised by a person who responded to God when from the outside they don’t appear as one who would be interested in a relationship with God?  Whom do you consider your target audience with respect to your capacity?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:16-17

Romans 1:9-12

Passage

For my witness is God, whom I venerate in my spirit in the good news of His Son, that without ceasing I make remembrances of you at all times upon my prayers while asking if somehow I will now be successful in the will of God to come to you all.  For I desire to see you all in order that I should share some spiritual gift with you in order to strengthen you all; and this is to mutually encourage you in the faith of each other, both yours and mine.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul tells the believers in Rome that he is remembering them in his prayers as he worships God.  This is a significant point, because to the best of our knowledge Paul has never met the church in Rome or any of the people who worship there.  Thus, what Paul is telling them is that he is praying for them regardless of whether or not he knows them in person.  This is another witness to their faithfulness in Rome.  God’s grace is so great in Rome that Paul feels the need to pray for their continued growth in God.

Whom do you pray for in the faith whether you know them or not?  Do you believe you need to know someone to pray for them?  What does it say about someone’s witness when you feel compelled to pray for them whether you know them or not?

Second Thought:

Paul also tells the Roman believers that he desires to come and see them in their faith.  He has wanted to come and visit them, but God has not yet given him the opportunity.  Of course, knowing Paul’s life we know the reason for his coming to Rome.  Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem and has appealed for Caesar to hear his case.  He is coming to Rome because he has no other direction to go!  Although Paul would have liked to have come to earlier, there was always more work to do.  Now, as a possible convict he comes to Rome.  Yet even here he doesn’t come in shame as he has been arrested for his witness to Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.

What can this tell us about Paul and his priorities in life?  What can we glean from this passage regarding Paul’s ability to differentiate between his desires and God’s will?

Third Thought:

Paul knows that when he comes, he and the Roman believers will be encouraged by each other’s faith.  The Romans are living out their calling from God in Rome: the heart of paganism in the known world at the time.  Paul has willingly asked to be on trial before Caesar in order that he might be able to reach into Caesar’s household with the Gospel.  Here we have two groups of people who are willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of God’s transforming the world.  There is much reason to think that they can encourage one another in the faith.

Who encourages you in your faith?  Why is community an important to encouraging individuals in their faith?  Why are individual testimonies of faith important to the overall community?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:13-15

Romans 1:7-8

Passage

To all the beloved ones of God who are in Rome – called to holiness: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ regarding all of you because your faith is being proclaimed in the whole world.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul calls the Romans “beloved” and “called to holiness.”  The Christians in Roman are beloved – loved unconditionally – by God.  That’s just a reality.  God’s love for all those in Christ is unconditional.  Paul also tells the Romans that they are called to holiness.  They word holy doesn’t mean “religious,” it actually means “separate” or “different.”  Paul is reminding the Christians is Rome that they are to be different than the Romans around them.  It is alright that they are in Rome, but they need to be different than the culture around them.

Are you beloved by God?  How do you know?  How do you live that out?  Are you holy?  Are you different than the world around you?  How do you live that out?

Second Thought:

Paul assures the Romans that their faith is being proclaimed in the whole world.  This is neat for two reasons.  First, remember that this letter is to the church in Rome.  Rome is the center of the Roman Empire.  It is a church at the core of Roman Paganism, Roman Emperor worship, and Roman legality.  In the midst of these oppressive forces, the church in Rome is thriving.  Christians throughout the empire (the known world) are marveling at how a church can not only exist but thrive in such a culture.  The Romans did not let their culture influence or stop their witness to the Gospel.

What modern comparison might you make to the church in Rome?  What are some places in the world that you wouldn’t expect a church to be able to survive?  What do you believe is the source of strength that is causing the Romans to thrive?  What might their motivation be for thriving?

Third Thought:

The second reason that this is neat is because of the witness that the congregations in Rome are giving to the world.  If a church can survive in Rome, then it can surely survive anywhere, can it not?  Paul is reminding the Roman congregations of their witness to the world.  They are an inspiration to others.  Paul is reminding us that we are more than just Christians where God has planted us.  We are Christians here to transform lives in our locality as well as to be a witness and a story used to inspire followers of God in other locales!  We are here to ignite and motivate faith elsewhere in the world!

Do you think God is able to use you to ignite faith anywhere else in the world?  If so, how is He doing it?  If not, what is preventing Him?  Why can it be challenging or even threatening to see yourself as an agent of change and inspiration in your current locale as well as potentially around the world?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:9-12

Romans 1:5-6

Passage

… through whom we received grace and apostleship into the obedience of faith in all the Gentiles on behalf of His name – in whom you also are commissioned of Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

It is through Jesus Christ that we receive grace.  Paul establishes this fact early and often in the book of Romans.  We are not saved by our works.  We do not do good things so that God might smile upon us.  We do not earn our way into God’s favor.  The reality is that God is already smiling upon us.  He is already giving us grace.  We do good things because we have already received God’s grace.  Ours is a response to a received gift, not an attempt to earn it.

Do you think this is a difficult belief to live out?  How often do you do things for God because you are trying to earn His love?  How can this thinking lead you astray?

Second Thought:

Those who have embraced God’s grace also receive apostleship.  We are apostles – people sent out – for the sake of bringing the Gentiles into the obedience of faith.  Now, this does not mean we are responsible for the actions of others.  We can present people with the good news, but we cannot make them listen or believe it.  But we are responsible for taking this message out to the world.  We are responsible for at least making it available for other people to listen.  We are sent for just such a purpose.

Are you an apostle?  If so, how are you sent out by Christ?  How are you bringing the message of God’s grace to the people around you?

Third Thought:

Paul reminds us that we are also commissioned in Christ.  We go on behalf of the name of Christ.  We go as His delegation.  The words we speak and the way we carry ourselves in this world reflects upon what we believe Christ to be.  When people see us as an ambassador, they also take that and reflect it upon Christ.

Do you see yourself as a full time or a part time follower of Jesus?  Are you always following Him?  Are you always His ambassador?  Are you mindful that you are commissioned under His name in all that you do?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:7-8

Romans 1:3-4

Passage

… regarding His Son who according to the flesh was born out of the seed of David and who according to the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power out of the resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul focuses upon the humanity of Jesus.  He was a seed of David.  In other words, the greatest king of the Hebrew people was a part of Jesus’ ancestry.  This point is not important because David’s genetics were superior to everyone else’s genetics.  This point is important because it fulfills a promise that God made.  God tells His people that their salvation would come from a shoot that rises up from the stump of Jesse.  (Jesse was David’s father.)  Here again we see that God did proclaim His work before He did it.  He prepared the people.  Then He fulfilled His promise.  This is how God works.  He prepares us and then fulfills His will in and through us.

There was roughly 1,000 years between David and Jesus: does this fact put you in awe of how patient God is in fulfilling His promises?  How has God fulfilled His will in your life as promised by Him to you?

Second Thought:

Paul also focuses on the divinity of Jesus.  He was the Son of God.  He had the power of God.  God’s awesome nature was surely on display in Christ!  He was no simple prophet or miracle worker.  God’s power flowed through Him in thought, teaching, and deed.  It was a powerful display indeed of how God loves us and desires to be in relationship with His creation.

How has God’s power in Christ been on display in your life?  What are some of your favorite stories about Jesus that displays the power of God in the lives of those around Him?

Third Thought:

Paul also makes it clear that the resurrection of the dead is significant.  Yes, we are saved by the grace of God that comes through the crucifixion of our Lord.  However, we know God’s power and promise in the resurrection of Christ.  If God can raise Jesus from the dead, then He can certainly raise those who are found in Jesus as well!  In that act, God demonstrates Himself as even more powerful than the one power on this earth we cannot escape: death.  Our only way through death is to be in Christ and claim the promise and power of God as a gift unto us.

Have you claimed God’s promise for eternal life?  What do you think the resurrection of the dead will be like for you?  What do you think it was like for Jesus?  How is God’s power over the forces of this world on display in the resurrection?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:5-6

Romans 1:1-2

Passage

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, while having been a called apostle set apart into the good news that He announced with certainty through His prophets in the Holy Scripture prior to doing His will …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we start a letter of Paul.  Again we see that Paul describes himself as a slave (doulos – “δοῦλος”).  There is no humbler position with which to begin a letter.  Paul is voluntarily disposing of his free will.  For Paul, it is better to be counted as God’s slave than a free man without God.  In fact, I believe that Paul would rather be counted as God’s slave than as a person who knows God but who still exerts his free will.  For Paul, there is no better time in life than humbly doing the bidding of the Master.  That is the key to Paul’s success.  He is humbly submitted as God’s slave.

How submitted to God are you?  Would you describe yourself God’s slave?  How much of your life is spent balancing the fulfillment of your desires rather than the fulfillment of God’s desires?

Second Thought:

Paul has been set apart.  I’m going to do a little Greek here.  Grammatically, that is a participle – a verb that has been manipulated so as to also take on aspects of a noun.  But more importantly, that participle is in the perfect tense and the passive voice.  This means that the action began upon Paul in the past, it continues into the present, and it will continue into the future.  Only one being in the world can act upon someone else in the past, in the present, and into the future: God.  Paul is declaring that it is God who has called him and set him apart.  This is a very important point.  As Christians, what I want to do isn’t important.  In fact, what I think God wants me to do isn’t even important.  What God actually wants me to do is what is important.  It is not my job to guess or to think what God wants.  It is my job to listen to God, hear His call into my life, and then become obedient to His call.  As Christians, we need to do a better job teaching others how to actually hear God’s will upon their life.

How often do you act in full confidence that you know God’s will?  What are the biggest obstacles to hearing God in your life?

Third Thought:

Paul also tells us that God took the time to announce what He was up to in this life.  God brought the Hebrew people upon them so that they could be a witness into the world and so that He could raise up a Messiah out of them.  The prophets attest to God’s work.  Yet, so often we don’t hear God’s testimony.  We want to make scripture about how we believe it should be applied.  We want to hear in scripture what we bring to scripture.  As Christians, we need to check our presuppositions at the door and allow God’s Word to speak into our lives rather than having our lives speak into God’s Word.

When you study God’s Word, how often do you find yourself trying to validate your own life by what you read?  How often do you truly sit down with God’s Word with a blank slate and just listen to the Word while being challenged by it?  In those times, what do you hear?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:3-4

Titus 3:12-15

Passage

When I should sent Artemas or Tychicus to you, hasten to come to me in Nikopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.  Make an effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on the way that they were heading, in order that they should have no lack in need.  Also, let our people learn to be devoted to good works into which there is urgent need in order that they should not be unfruitful.  All the ones with me greet you.  Greet the ones who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul is sending leaders to Titus because Paul wants Titus to be free to come visit him.  Paul has been mentoring Titus, and he does not want Titus to feel alone and neglected.  Paul wants Titus to return to Paul so that they can talk, they can plan, so that Paul can support Titus personally.  Ministry is a difficult thing.  It is made even more difficult when we try and do it alone.  Paul knows this, so he tells Titus to come for a visit.

Have you ever been alone in what God has asked you to do?  Why is that frustrating?  How does this help us understand the importance of support?

Second Thought:

Paul also reminds Titus to make sure that the people are focusing on doing good works – especially in the times of urgent need.  Paul is especially concerned about the fruitfulness of the people.  Bearing fruit leads to more fruit, being pruned, and more fruit.  Being unfruitful leads to stagnancy.  Paul does not want the young faith that is growing in Crete to stagnate, so he tells Titus to lift up the importance of bearing fruit to them.

Have you ever been in a place where your fruitfulness has stagnated?  How does it feel to be in a relationship with God yet not feel like you are producing any fruit?  Why is this a dangerous place to be?

Third Thought:

Paul ends on a note of grace and a greeting.  It is important that we not forget that all of the things we do happen because of God’s grace.  Without God’s grace, we could do nothing.  Without God’s grace none of our efforts could even hope to advance God’s Kingdom.  Without God’s grace, we couldn’t even be a part of God’s Kingdom.  It begins and ends with God and His grace.

Where is God’s grace in your life?  How are you responding to God’s grace?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 1:1-2

Titus 3:9-11

Passage

And keep away from being involved in foolish controversies, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for these are without benefit and futile.  Reject the divisive man after one or two attempts to correct the behavior while knowing that one such as this has departed from the path of correct behavior and has sinned while being condemned by their own actions.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul cautions Titus to not become involved in silly debates.  If we look at what Paul is saying here, he is largely condemning typical Jewish teaching with respect to importance to God.  He is saying that one’s genealogy (IE, tribe from which a person was born) is pointless in Christ because clearly Gentiles don’t even have a tribe!  He also knows what it is like to be a former Pharisee and be involved in endless debates about the Law with other Pharisees.  He knows what it is like to be in a rivalry with Sadducees and Essenes and other Jewish groups.  Having been there, Paul knows the futility of these times.  He tells Titus to learn from his own mistakes and avoid those kinds of debates.  Modern examples of this might be discussing the timing of the end of the world, denominational arguments, and endless policy debates in church meetings.

How easily do you get sucked into such conversations?  How profitable are these kinds of debates?  Do you agree with Paul that areas like this are best avoided because they are futile and don’t resolve anything?

Second Thought:

Paul then tells Titus to reject the divisive person after trying to correct them once or twice.  This is tough advice.  As soon as you reject someone – someone who may well even claim to be a follower of God – it is easy to get labeled as a hater or someone who is disagreeable.  None of us like those kinds of labels.  However, we also can’t have division in our midst.  Division will only take away from the ministry of God that could be happening.  Thus, we must strike a balance between tolerance of others and strict obedience to God.  Tolerance is a great thing so long as it does not force us to compromise on our obedience to God.  When we start compromising upon God, we have indeed gone too far.

Is it easy for you to rebuke someone who is being divisive?  What makes it challenging in any way?  Why are many people susceptible to doubts when taking a stand of authority?

Third Thought:

Paul then tells Titus that divisive people are already condemned by their own actions.  They have departed the path of truth.  If God is leading people one way and they are being divisive, then it is logical to see them as having departed the path of righteousness.  The issue is that as human beings we don’t want to see it that way.  We don’t want to be on the hook for “judging them.”  So often we let them continue to be divisive and disruptive in our midst.  But the truth is that people who continually disrupt the flow of God’s work have left the path of truth and stand condemned before God by their own actions.

Do you take divisiveness seriously?  Do you resist it or do you simply shut down and try to outlast it?  Why are many people successful in being divisive in the church?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:12-15

Titus 3:7-8

Passage

… in order that after being declared righteous by that grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This word is trustworthy.  And regarding these things I desire that you should state them confidently in order that the ones who have believed by God should fix their attention upon engaging in good works.  These things are good and beneficial to mankind.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Why did Jesus come to die in God’s grace?  Why have we been given the Holy Spirit?  God’s mercy has been poured out upon us so that we might become heirs to the kingdom.  It is that simple.  God loves us so much that He desires that we should spend eternity with Him.  He made it possible.  He did all the work.  He wants that end.

What lengths has God gone to save you?  How has God revealed this in your life?

Second Thought:

Paul then pauses and reminds Titus that this saying is trustworthy.  Sometimes it can be easy to doubt God’s promise because we cannot feel or touch God.  Because we cannot see God directly, doubt can creep into our mind.  Because of this, Paul reminds Titus to remain faithful and to not be afraid to put his trust in the promise of God.

Have you ever had a moment of doubt?  What brings those moments upon you?  What helps you push through them?

Third Thought:

Paul then reminds Titus that he should not only believe these things but declare them confidently.  The people of Crete need a strong and confident leader so that they can become strong and confident followers.  The stronger Titus is, the more the people underneath him will fix their attention upon God and respond to God in faith.  As Paul ends these verses, he is reminding Titus of the calling to be a good and strong mentor in the faith.  We should all aspire to such a point.

Who have been your great examples in the faith?  How does their example help you fix your attention upon your response to God?  Who looks upon you with that same gaze?  Who can you influence in this life so that they can look to God firmly?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:9-11

Titus 3:4-6

Passage

But when a kindness and a love for mankind by God our savior was being shown, He saved us – not out of works, the ones in righteousness, but according to His mercy through a washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.  Of whom He abundantly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul reminds Titus of one very important understanding.  Our salvation is because of a kindness on God’s behalf.  We are saved because God has an inherent love for mankind.  He could have walked away from us and been righteous in doing so.  But God extended grace to us when we did not deserve it simply because He loves us.  It is so easy in our life to get wrapped up in fairness; but the reality is that if God was primarily concerned about being fair none of us would know salvation at all.  The only reason we can know salvation is because God gives us that which we do not deserve.

How grateful are you of your salvation?  Why is it important to be routinely reminded of this point?

Second Thought:

Paul is also quick to remind us that we are not saved out of our works of righteousness.  God does not love us because we do good things.  That is inherently backwards.  We do good things because God loves us.  Our righteousness is always a response to what God has already done for us.  We do not earn God’s love, we receive it and react.

Why is it easy to go through life as though we are earning our favor from God?  When we have this attitude, how does it fundamentally change the motivation for our actions?  What is the motivation for doing works as a response to God’s grace that you’ve already received?

Third Thought:

Paul also reminds Titus about the Holy Spirit.  We have received the Holy Spirit abundantly.  Through the Holy Spirit we can be renewed and regenerated.  God knows we will fall and stumble into sin.  God knows we will experience temptation.  So God sends us the Holy Spirit to help us recover, turn back to Him, repent, and continue in our journey with God.

How often do you sin?  How often do you think the Holy Spirit is at work in you drawing you to repent and encouraging your faith?  How can this give you a new appreciation for the Holy Spirit?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:7-8

Titus 3:3

Passage

For we were once also foolish, disobedient, while being misled, while enslaved by various desires and passions, while conducting ourselves in wickedness and envy, worthy of being hated, while detesting others.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This verse is pure confession.  Paul lays it out, bold yet simple.  There is truth and accuracy here.  However, it is not a list that many people would naturally come up with themselves.  None of us desires to see ourselves as Paul says in these words.  The only reason that Paul can accurately state his true nature – and the true nature of humanity – is because he is in relationship with God.  The “otherness” of God allows Paul to see himself from a fresh and new perspective.  This is perhaps one of the greatest benefits of being in a relationship with God – besides eternal life, of course.  With God, we actually have a chance at seeing ourselves for who we really are.

Do you agree with this statement?  Why or why not?  When is it easy to lie to yourself about who you are?

Second Thought:

As Paul begins to confess, he speaks about being foolish and easily misled.  He speaks about being easily enslaved by our passions and our desires and conducting ourselves in wickedness and envy.  When we are self-centered and thinking only of ourselves, we are easily led astray.  Who is there to counterbalance my desires if not God?  What set of morals or standards will guide my life if I follow my own passions?  Will I not be tossed about through life as my desires change, grow, stretch, and turn to new things?  God brings an anchor to life.  Being obedient to God helps keep us on a steady path through a very tumultuous life.

What passions drive you to and fro and cause you to rise and fall?  How have your passions changed you throughout life?  How has obedience to God helped to keep those passions in check?

Third Thought:

The last confession that Paul makes here is that he was worthy of being hated and he detested others.  This is especially true when we consider human heterogeneity.  It is easy to fight with those who aren’t like us.  It is easy to wrestle against those who have different opinions.  It is easy to argue with those who are different.  It is easy to be jealous and envious of those who have different skills.  If we are not careful, we find ourselves being ugly to people who show differences.  When that happens, we show ourselves as being worthy of hatred.  It is God who brings us peace and shows us how our heterogeneity is really a blessing.

Who in your life is it easy to hate?  With whom do you have little trouble being ugly?  What do you do in your life that might cause people to hate you?  How can God – and obedience to Him – change this dynamic?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:4-6