“The Right Way to Live” are the words that are written as a heading on the verses that I was reading this morning. When something is that plain, I feel the need to take notice and see how it applies to me.
“The Right Way to Live
3 Remind your people that they should always be under the authority of rulers and government leaders. They should obey these leaders and be ready to do good. 2 Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone.
3 In the past we were foolish too. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to the many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We lived doing evil and being jealous. People hated us and we hated each other. 4 But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. 5 He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things we did. He saved us through the washing that made us new people. He saved us by making us new through the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out to us that Holy Spirit fully through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends. 8 This is a true statement.
And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” Titus 3:1-7 ERV
These things are good and will help everyone.
Boy, so much is packed into just a few verses. Then the Apostle Paul ends it with “These things are good and will help everyone.”
Everyone – yes, everyone.
Go back and read those verses again. What in those phrases speaks to your heart?
For me it’s a couple of things. I should be gentle and polite to everyone, not just to those who are deserving of my kindness or gentleness but everyone. I should also use my life for doing good.
My prayer time this morning consisted of me repenting for some unkind and critical words that I spoke yesterday. Words that weren’t needed. And then a request that I have my eyes and my heart open to be gentle and kind to all I have association with today. Now that’s a big goal. However, if I take it one person at a time, starting with my family and reaching out from there I know the Lord will give me the wherewithal to accomplish what He’s asking me to do.
“ Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 ERV
I pray that we all have our hearts set to live the right way today.