Good Deeds

After I shared yesterday’s blog on Fall Harvest, I found these words in a little New Testament book, Titus. It gives us a different look on why we should be willing to share our harvest.

“They must always be ready to do something helpful ² and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. ³ We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.

⁴ God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. ⁵ He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. ⁶ God sent Jesus Christ our Savior
to give us his Spirit. ⁷ Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.

⁸ This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.⁹ But don’t have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.” Titus 3:1b-9 CEV

I’m making these verses part of my daily Bible reading for a while. I know when the Lord impresses me so much with a Scripture it’s something I’m supposed to dwell on.

Dwell, I love that word! Dwell means to live in, encamp there, permanent residence. These verses will be my dwelling place.

This translation says “be ready to do something helpful” and another translation says “be ready to do good deeds”. That same phrase is used in verse eight of this translation – good deeds.

Always ready – why?

Go back and read those verses again, please. Because of God’s kindness and mercy we have been saved, given a fresh beginning, treated better than we deserve! For this reason, because of what the Lord has done for us, we should show the same kindness and compassion to others.

Be thankful for what the Lord has done for you and “be ready” to do good deeds!