Titus 3:8
8 This is a faithful [pistos] saying [logos], and [kai] these things [peri] [touton] I will [boulomai] that thou
[se] affirm constantly [diabebaioomai], that [hina] they which
have believed [pisteuo] in God [theos] might be careful [phrontizo]
to maintain [proistemi] good [kalos] works [ergon]. These things
[tauta] are [esti] good [kalos] and [kai] profitable [ophelimos] unto
men [anthropos]. KJV-Interlinear
8 This is a trustworthy
statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that
those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These
things are good and profitable for men. NASB
The world is full of
living examples of Gods faithfulness.As
we end this Easter celebration, we have seen on the news, the brilliant rescue
and bravery of a ships captain half way around the world. And the repercussions of pirates (three of
them at least), who are now seeing the truth for what it really is. Facing Jesus in terrible embarrassment, or
worse, depending on their spiritual state for this life.
It is often the times of
harsh realities of life, that force people to turn to God, whereas they might otherwise
not give God much thought, and therefore ending their life in terrible error
and disgrace and failure.
The pirates lost their
effort in crime and degenerate pursuit of life, but then far more people ignore
God, and though they are law abiding, they too will lose out in life.
With all of the teaching
in the scriptures, people cannot be forced to listen or even to learn Gods
instruction, which is unfortunate.It is
often too bad that folks will read the news and get all upset over some unconfirmed
reporting of a problem with food or a product, and yet their life and their
entire future is ignored, by ignoring the scriptures, as though it has no
value.
Paul ends this verse
with the comment, good and profitable.
But what does that
really mean?
Well the first part of the
verse says it all.What you hear from
the teaching of the Bible, is good for you.
Unfortunately to many folks simply do not believe that. And those who say they believe, don t adopt
it into the daily practice of their life.
In this life you learn,
or should learn, that there are many things that are good for you. Things like an education, a good diet,
exercise, honesty, etc., etc., etc.And
most folks generally look to those things in life, in order to get by.
But for all that we are
exposed to in this life, none of them are of any value, if we lose out on our
spiritual life.
Our spiritual life sets
the stage for our eternal existence, which by the way, is a far greater time span
(infinite), than any lifespan you will have on this earth.
You are to listen, to
learn, and to grow up, such that you will engage in good deeds. What is that?
Well, anything that you do while living within the fellowship sphere of
your spiritual life.
All of your thinking
produces something within your soul.
When functioning within
your spiritual life, then your production is described as gold, silver, and
precious stones.When you are out of
fellowship, then your production is described as wood, hay and stubble. And these latter three are rotten wood,
rotten hay, and rotten stubble, or absolutely worthless things.
Now, if you were
wealthy, would you invest in a deteriorating business, which has no prospects
of a future?No.
Wouldn t you be better
off in investing in a producing and productive gold mine?
So, good works is your
function, while actively operating within your spiritual life.
While in fellowship,
God the Holy Spirit, controls your soul, and when in control, He uses His power
to reinforce, through doctrine, your soul.
In Ephesians it is called edifying, or building a powerful spiritual
complex within your soul.
And to what end? So that you will have a fantastic eternal
life.One greater than you can possibly
imagine.
Concerning these
things, things that have already been mentioned, as the promises of God, are
why you need to focus on the important things in life (your spiritual life), and
disregard the unimportant things in life (worldly issues).
What is important? Doctrine, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and
out of these come responsibility, honesty, integrity, but more important,
spiritual growth.
What is unimportant? Nearly every issue of this world, that you
make an issue, presumably to make this world into a better world, or to cut a
little something out for yourself.And
there is nothing (except doctrine) that can make this world better than it
is.
But then, our
inheritance is not this world anyway, but the next world. And by the way, God is not going to allow
this world to be destroyed, until human history has run its full course. And then it will be God who will destroy it,
in an instant, and then replace everything.
There are many pressures,
troubles, and controversies in life.
Whether political, social, economic, personal, or whatever, makes no
difference.None of them will improve
your life in the way that Bible doctrine will.
So, learn to focus on
doctrine, and learn to let the controversies of the world be dealt with by God. For it is He who ultimately controls history
and your life.
Stop worrying about
anything, but in everything through prayer and supplication (requests), let
your needs, desires, wishes, be made known unto God.
For it is of the Lord
mercies (grace (favor) in action), which are new every morning, that shall
sustain you.He will never suffer the
righteous (the spiritually motivated person), to be moved (to fail).
Cast (slam) all your
cares on Him, for He cares for you (far more than you realize).
Study (listen, learn,
apply) to show yourself approved (mature) unto God, a workman (that is you),
that need not be ashamed (but confident), by rightly dividing the word of truth
(learning so that you can discern between truth and false).
For of Him (Christ), and
to Him (Christ), and through Him (Christ), are all things, to whom be glory,
dominion, and power forever and ever (which you are going to jointly
inherit).Amen.