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Titus 3 reminds us that grace does more than forgive our past—it gives us a new identity and a new way to live. Paul says we were once “foolish, disobedient, deceived,” and controlled by sinful desires. Yet God did not save us because of our good works. He saved us because of His mercy, renewing us through the Holy Spirit and making us heirs of eternal life.

How does grace transform identity and behavior here?

Grace changes our identity from condemned sinners to justified children of God. We are no longer defined by our failures, desires, anger, or past choices. We are defined by God’s mercy and the hope of eternal life. That new identity should transform our behavior. Because God has treated us with kindness, we should show humility, gentleness, patience, and respect toward others. We should avoid pointless arguments and devote ourselves to actions that are helpful and beneficial.

What response fits grace today?

The proper response is not to try to earn God’s love, but to live gratefully because we have already received it. Today, choose one act of grace: forgive someone, speak gently during disagreement, meet a practical need, or serve without seeking recognition. Let your conduct demonstrate what God’s mercy has accomplished in you.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for saving me by Your mercy. Help me live from my new identity and extend Your grace to others today. Amen.

Philippians 3

Repeatedly in Philippians, Paul gives reasons to rejoice. He even starts this chapter by saying, “For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” The NLT says it in simpler English; Paul uses repetition to safeguard the readers faith. There is so much wisdom in this practice. There are times when I feel like I am hearing the same things from the pulpit that I already know. The repetition of hearing the elementary principles of the Christian faith will safeguard the very faith that we have. This is not to say that we should not desire spiritual meat instead of spiritual milk, but we should be constantly reminded of the Truth of the Gospel.

Paul then goes on telling the church at Philippi to be watchful for any work’s based, legalistic salvation doctrine to creep into their church. He gives a list of reasons of how he could be confident in his flesh, but states that he counts it all as garbage. He doesn’t trust in his own efforts to be righteous for salvation, because He realizes that Jesus already achieved that positional righteousness for him by living a perfect life and offering Himself as the spotless lamb who took away the sin of the world. He then talks about striving towards the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul ends this chapter with an awesome reminder. He says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Paul said a similar thing to the Corinthian church when he said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). This is a call to young and old people alike. The exhortation for the subjective “older” followers of Christ is this, be a worthy example of Jesus so others wouldn’t be ashamed if they imitated you. This should be done by middle schoolers to elementary aged children, by high schoolers to middle schoolers, by young adults to high schoolers, and by adults to young adults. This is not the role of pastors or church employees, but it’s the role of the Church at large. Meaning it is my job, your job, and everyone who professes Jesus’ name’s job. One aspect of this is setting a holy standard for the next generation to follow, but it is also investing your time and talents into the next generation. This is called generational discipleship and Paul commands it in Titus 2. The call to the subjective “younger” person is to be seeking out discipleship from those who have more experience, wisdom, and knowledge. Every mature believer should be discipling someone while being discipled themselves.

Grace is an interesting concept and still a mystery for many.  When you really look at it, we have been given grace before we even knew that we needed grace. We currently are living in a time where Christ has already given us and extended grace to us. 

Over the past week I’ve tried to imagine a world or a life without grace. At one point in time before Christ came and reconciled us to God, grace was not given easily. There was mercy to some.  The love was extended was through the law. 

But we have been given these beautiful mysteries of love, mercy, and grace. Sometimes we forget that we are beneficiaries of Grace.

Grace is defined in religious—particularly Christian—contexts, grace is defined as the unmerited, loving favor and help given to humanity by God. It is the free gift of forgiveness, salvation, and divine strength that cannot be earned by human deeds.

In the Old Testament grace is mentioned about 20 times. The New Testament, grace  is mentioned about 120 times. In Ephesians, grace is referred to 12 times. In Ephesians chapter 2, it is mentioned three times. So overall it’s 10% of time it’s mentioned in Ephesians throughout the whole Bible. When grace is mentioned in chapter 2, it is referred to sequentially about God‘s love and salvation.

“made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬, ‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Even though we don’t see the absence of grace as it had been before Christ, we can see how God uses grace in us in our everyday lives. 

As a father, I see grace through me to my children daily. I use grace daily to comfort them and help them understand life and give them grace.

 I see the grace in individuals who have been hurt and harm, but able to continue little life and showing mercy to others.

I’ve seen grace in the hospitals where difficult news is given, but then grace extends a peace to patent.  Even though the news is hard news, they have some solace to know that God is taken care of them.

Grace is not anything that we can earn.  It’s been given to us before we knew that we needed. It has been given to us without question. So many people do not think that they don’t have grace or have to earn it, but the spirit of God God is giving grace to everyone. They just have to accept grace. If they accept grace, then they will be able to rest easier.

 

 

Romans 6 reminds me that grace is not just forgiveness for the past; it is power for a new life. Paul asks, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” The answer is clear: because I have been united with Christ, I am called to walk in newness of life. I am no longer mastered by sin, resentment, pride, or selfishness. I belong to Christ.

That means the grace God has extended to me must also flow through me. Someone in my life may need patience, forgiveness, or a fresh start from me—not because they have earned it, but because I have not earned the grace God has given me either. Extending grace does not mean ignoring truth; it means refusing to let bitterness rule my heart.

Who needs me to extend grace? The person I am most tempted to judge, avoid, or hold at a distance.

What concrete act will I take in faith? I will reach out, speak kindly, pray for them by name, and choose one practical way to show love without expecting anything in return.

Lord, help me live as someone who is dead to sin and alive to You. Let Your grace change not only what I believe, but how I treat others today.

Luke 7

This chapter of Luke is packed with some awesome stories that show the compassion, love, and grace of our amazing God. The passage starts with a centurion recognizing and trusting the authority of Jesus. Jesus mentions that He hasn’t seen this kind of faith, not even in Israel. Jesus heals his servant from afar displaying the power of God.

The very next day, Jesus is heading into this town called Nain. As he is walking into the town he sees a funeral procession for a young man, the son of a widow. The love of Jesus is on display here. This widow, without a son or husband would have an extremely hard time providing for herself, if she could at all in this culture. Jesus not only has compassion on her because she was weeping, but because Jesus recognized what this woman’s life would be like without a protector and provider.

The very next passage contains Jesus’ cousin’s disciples asking a pointed question; “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus then quotes prophesy from Isaiah indicating He is the Messiah and has fulfilled the prophecy that the blind sees, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the lepers are cleansed.

One of the coolest passages of scripture in this chapter is the last one. The subtitle is a Sinful Woman Forgiven. Jesus was asked to share a meal in the home of a pharisee. At some point in the evening, a sinful woman shows up. We can conclude that this woman was a notorious sinner and likely a prostitute. This prostitute showed up to the pharisees house, an act of courage and faith, and wept at the feet of Jesus. She then used her hair to wipe His feet and anointed His feet with an alabaster flask of fragrant oil. Someone who was once an outcast and notorious sinner was now broken by an encounter with Jesus. Jesus teaches us a simple lesson. He who has been forgiven much will love much. This woman had Faith that her sins could be forgiven so she went to Jesus and worshipped the Messiah who would take away her sins.

You are not too far gone. Your children are not too far gone. Your coworkers are not too far gone. The lesson to learn here is to keep praying for those people in your life that have hard hearts toward God. Keep praying for those prodigals who need to come home. When they come home, they will no longer be enemies of God, but important vessels of love for God and His Church. The second lesson is to not think lowly or put down “notorious” sinners in your life. God is a much bigger God than you think. In fact, He is infinite. So don’t count certain people “out” because of a pattern of sin. God is a forgiving God who stands at the door and knocks. Whoever opens the door, God will come in and dine with. Pray the radical prayers and fix your eyes on the Lord to see what He will do!

Today’s Reading: I Peter 5 

So many times in our current society, we have placed a big emphasis on individualism and independence. So many times we try to accomplish things by ourselves and without the help of others. Sometimes we think that this is a sign of strength, but it could also be a sign of weakness.

One of the strongest things that we have as a society is community. Community is more than just the gather of people, but it is a connection in a relationship between individuals.

In these writings of Peter, Peter is telling us how to become a community. He has given us information of how to lead and also how to follow. He is saying that each one is necessary for the growth of the whole.

When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—

God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people.

6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

There is a native people in Tanzania called the Maasai, these nomadic people have as a right of passage, a hunting of a lion. This is where a young juvenile goes out into the wilderness and comes back with a lion to prove his ability to provide and to protect for the family and for the group. This is a very strenuous and a very powerful ritual. The individual has to prepare his entire life to be ready for this.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Now, when individuals are not for the Massai group and they are on Safari, sometimes they will gather sharp branches and trees, and around the encampment to protect from lions, leopards, and hyenas.

We see here that with the proper training, the lion’s roar cannot affect a train hunter, but without that training you would be frightened by the prowling and roaring of the lion.   But when you are in community, the lion’s roar would be less threatening. You have other individuals to help you and protect you.  

This is what Peter is alluding to, when we are in community, we can build each other up and not be frightened as easily by the Iion’s roar. When we are community and we understand that we need each other and our different skills and strengths help to make us all better.

The community that we have is through the body of Christ. So many times we can forget through the different dogma of religion that we all connected. The body of Christ is not just for one individual denomination, but it’s for all of those who believe in Christ and the connection that we have through God. 

May we continue to connect and share our love for Christ and each other and our love for community this week. May we be examples of Christ love for us.

Be blessed.

 

Community gathering around a central idea – Hog Roast