Boiling over with passion! - September 9th, 2011

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
 Titus 2:11-14

History and Context:

Titus is not mentioned in Acts but he is mentioned throughout Paul's letters, including Galatians, 2 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy. It is clear that Titus is one of Paul's trusted inner circle aa Paul seemed to continually send him in to take care of difficult situations. At the time of the letter Titus had been left in Crete to greater establish the Paul's work there. Crete was probably one of the first places to hear the Gospel as there were Jews from Crete in the crowd on the day of Pentecost. Crete was known for habitual liars to the point that the Greeks had a slang term for lying; 'to Cretize'. Paul's letter to Titus shows that the Christians in the church were a difficult bunch. This, along with the Timothy's, is know as a 'Pastoral Epistle', because it is Paul's instructions to Titus as he has taken a pastoral position.

The Text: 

Again we see that Jesus' second coming is meant to bring us hope and not fear, but Paul gives us keys to how we are supposed to live as we wait. Last time we looked at this passage of scripture we talked about what it means to live soberly, righteously and godly, but Paul goes beyond that instruction. He says, first of all that we are supposed to be "zealous for good works". Zealous literally means, to boil over with passion. This goes far beyond doing what's right because God told me to. WE are supposed to be boiling over with passion for good works. We should be desiring them, seeking out opportunities to do good things. This is the kind of person that God sets apart and call them His own.

The Challenge:

Find that passion, that zeal. Find the passion that boils over and causes you to continually seek out opportunities for good works. Pray for it, seek the Word for inspiration, find people who act it out and hang around them, then finally just start doing it. Even if you don't feel passionate, start seeking out opportunities to do good works. The more you do it, the more you will want and desire to do it.

The Prayer:

Lord, make me zealous for good works! Help me to find that passion that can boil over in my life onto those around me. Help me to seek out opportunities to do good works. Thank you Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen!