Ready to Every Good Work – Titus 3
‘Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.’ — Titus 3:1–2
Titus is a hugely practical and direct book. One big emphasis in the book is the need for believers to live lives of good works. In Titus 3:1-2, we are told to…
- Be subject to principalities and powers (rulers and authorities)
- Obey magistrates (civil judges)
- Be ready to every good work
- Speak evil of no man
- Not be brawlers (fighters)
- Be gentle
- Show meekness unto all men
Then, we are reminded of what our lives were like before we experienced the kindness and love of God our Saviour (v.3-7). We were:
- foolish
- disobedient
- deceived
- serving various kinds of lusts and pleasures
- living lives of malice, envy, and hate.
But God saved us, changed us by His mercy, washed us, made us new and renewed us by His Holy Spirit (v.5). God justified us and made us heirs of eternal life (v.7).
So, we should live differently. We should live lives of grace. And that is why the instructions of these verses are so trustworthy and need to be constantly affirmed (v.8).
What kind of life are you living? Are you more like the first list or the second list? Are you characterised by the submission, obedience, love, kindness and meekness of Christ or the foolishness, rebellion, hatred, malice and envy of Satan? If you are a believer, then you are called to a holy calling and your faith should be seen in very practical ways.