Daily Verse: Titus 2

The heading for the second chapter of Titus is the following (at least it is in the NIV I am working with): “Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel”. Paul uses this chapter to highlight several attributes that the people in Titus’ town/church are to follow. What struck me about this heading is that it turns the focus away from “self” and squares it on God. We are to do good so that the Gospel might flourish…we are to do good so that God might benefit…we are to do what is right so that the Word of God might grow and reach others. That’s a concept worth pondering as it seems to contradict our human nature. Whether we are talking about Christian or Non-Christian circles, we seem to be programmed to do what is right to benefit ourselves first…and if there is anyone or anything else that benefits secondarily from our good behavior, then that is just the gravy on top. This heading centers on something that I think should be kept fresh in the minds of Christians: It’s not all about us. Our days are not intended to be spent serving self. It’s not about us…It’s all about God…all our effort, all our blood, sweat, and tears are meant to benefit him. All the attention, all the glory, and all the praise is meant to be on God and God alone! I read an article recently that included the following from the author: “God, our loving Creator who understands our frame more fully than we do, bids us to flee from evil and find abundant life in him alone.” The part about “life in him alone” caused me to pause. Our purpose, our drive, our pleasure, our satisfaction is intended to ALL be rooted in God and God alone. And what is such an incredible gift from the Lord is that when we work for the Lord…when we do good for the sake of the Gospel…we end up benefiting immensely along the way. My prayer is that we may work to do good in our lives not to benefit ourselves, but to bring praise, respect, glory, and honor to the Gospel message! To God be the glory!