A GOOD REASON FOR HUMILITY
TITUS 3:1-5
TITUS 3:1-5 NKJ
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
OBSERVATION:
As much as I don't like to admit it, when I graduated from Bible School in 1984, I was filled with religious pride.
I knew the way everyone should be living and was quick to notice those who did not measure up. I thought I had it all together, and almost everyone else needed my help and wisdom. Looking back, I am hoping this was the lethal combination of immaturity and stupidity. It was not pretty.
The Lord used this passage from Titus 3 to correct me and start me in a better direction. I had been complaining about my father, and the Lord reminded me that the righteousness that I had was from the Lord and I had not earned my right standing. And He reminded me that I was not more righteous than my father, who was also a believer.
This is the message behind these verses in Titus. Paul spells out how true biblical humility should look in the lives of all believers.
Be subject to the authorities in your life and obey them. Notice that our opinion of those authorities was not needed.
Speak evil of no one. This would include post evil of no one. Be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Wait, what? Not speaking evil of anyone? Was Paul delusional? If Paul was living in our day, would he say that? Keep in mind the authorities Paul and Titus encountered had no problems beating and even killing people, so we don't get a pass for our current culture.
The reason we are to show humility is because we acknowledge where we came from. In the eyes of God, before we were saved, we were foolish, disobedient, and deceived. Selfish and sold out to various desires harboring hate in our hearts.
We were not in good shape at all spiritually, and yet God's kindness and love was given to us. Not because we earned it but because He is merciful and saved us through Jesus.
APPLICATION:
The reason for humility is simply said, but we sure need grace to live this out.
If God could do all He did for us when we were not at our best or pursuing Him, how much more should we be kind to those around us. God has been better to us than we deserve, and that is a good reason for us to live humbly.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord thank You for being kind and merciful to me when I did not deserve it. Help me to live humbly before You and as a blessing to the people who are in my world.