Beloved Kinney,
I’ve always been struck by the logic Paul uses in Titus 3 about why we should love non-
Christians. Listen to what he says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to
avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
These commands are different ways of speaking of love. And it seems Paul is telling
Titus to tell the churches on the island of Crete to love the non-Christians there because
of what he goes on to say, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray,
slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated
by others and hating one another.”
In other words, “You should love these people because you used to be one!” Doesn’t it
give you compassion toward those who might be hard to love to know that, were it not
for grace, you’d be in the same place?
And that’s exactly what Paul goes onto say, “But when the goodness and loving
kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in
righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and
renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our
Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life.”
What glorious truth! And what compelling reason to love those who might be hard to
love. May the free gift of grace in Christ move you to love non-Christians this week.
Love,
Pastor Josh
I’ve always been struck by the logic Paul uses in Titus 3 about why we should love non-
Christians. Listen to what he says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to
avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
These commands are different ways of speaking of love. And it seems Paul is telling
Titus to tell the churches on the island of Crete to love the non-Christians there because
of what he goes on to say, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray,
slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated
by others and hating one another.”
In other words, “You should love these people because you used to be one!” Doesn’t it
give you compassion toward those who might be hard to love to know that, were it not
for grace, you’d be in the same place?
And that’s exactly what Paul goes onto say, “But when the goodness and loving
kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in
righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and
renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our
Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life.”
What glorious truth! And what compelling reason to love those who might be hard to
love. May the free gift of grace in Christ move you to love non-Christians this week.
Love,
Pastor Josh
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