3 Likewise, tell the older women to behave the way people leading a holy life should. They shouldn’t be slanderers or slaves to excessive drinking. They should teach what is good, 4 thus training the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to take good care of their homes and submit to their husbands. In this way, God’s message will not be brought into disgrace.
6 Similarly, urge the young men to be self-controlled, 7 and in everything set them an example yourself by doing what is good. When you are teaching, have integrity and be serious; 8 let everything you say be so wholesome that an opponent will be put to shame because he will have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Tell slaves to submit to their masters in everything, to give satisfaction without talking back 10 or pilfering. On the contrary, they should demonstrate complete faithfulness always, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Deliverer more attractive.
11 For God’s grace, which brings deliverance, has appeared to all people. 12 It teaches us to renounce godlessness and worldly pleasures, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives now, in this age; 13 while continuing to expect the blessed fulfillment of our certain hope, which is the appearing of the Sh’khinah of our great God and the appearing of our Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. 14 He gave himself up on our behalf in order to free us from all violation of Torah and purify for himself a people who would be his own, eager to do good.
15 These are the things you should say. Encourage and rebuke with full authority; don’t let anyone look down on you.
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"God’s Restoring Grace" by Author: Jennifer Woodard
When asked to name the fruit of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5, we remember “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,” and even “gentleness.” Then there is that other one: “self-control.” How easily we try to shift accountability for our actions onto others.
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus he lists multiple expectations for the attitudes and behavior of God’s people. Why all the fuss? After all Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus14). What could possibly be left to do?
The answer is natural: we need to honor the Sacrifice given and the purpose for which it (Christ) was given. All these instructions to do certain things and to act in certain ways are really a call to submit to God’s grace and to the purpose for which He saved us. In all that we are, in all that we say and do, may we not recoil at the thought of “self-control” but commit ourselves fully to God’s wonderful grace.
Hymn for Today: "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" by Haldor Lillenas
The answer is natural: we need to honor the Sacrifice given and the purpose for which it (Christ) was given. All these instructions to do certain things and to act in certain ways are really a call to submit to God’s grace and to the purpose for which He saved us. In all that we are, in all that we say and do, may we not recoil at the thought of “self-control” but commit ourselves fully to God’s wonderful grace.
Hymn for Today: "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" by Haldor Lillenas
1. Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain:
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me!
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
Oh, magnify the precious Name of Jesus,
Praise His Name!
2. Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain:
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me!
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
Oh, magnify the precious Name of Jesus,
Praise His Name!
3. Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven
For all eternity—
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain:
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me!
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
Oh, magnify the precious Name of Jesus,
Praise His Name!
Thought for Today:
"Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have."[1 Timothy 6:6]
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Kenya.
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