Titus 3:1-15 (NLT)
1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,
5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
12 I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter.
13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need.
14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
15 Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us. May God’s grace be with you all.
The God of perfection, righteousness, and holiness has somehow chosen to love and embrace each one of us. Instead of rendering on us the judgment we truly deserve, He is kind and merciful, seeing something far beyond what our natural eyes might observe. When we were in darkness, producing the fruit of evil nature’s, He looked beyond the obvious to see the potential. Instead of those causing division and strife from self-seeking and pride, He saw completed representatives of His own purpose – blessing those in need of His goodness.
We have been delivered to be productive ourselves, but also to guide and train those within our influence. His desire to bless will be much expanded and multiplied when His good deeds are not only performed, but taught. For this to happen, there is a need for acquiring His same heart for them. Instead of allowing frustration and animosity to fester and grow, time in His merciful presence will help form His vision of them in our eyes. While there may behaviors that are far from the perfection of heaven (just as ours were), eyes of faith from God will see them complete and productive, even beyond our own development.
Many times, the most significant representation of God will be the transformation of nature imparted to those within our influence – His goodness given in healing and provision, but His nature imparted in holiness and righteous living.