Love

Titus 3:1-8

What is love? This question has been pondered for centuries. Some think,'love is an action' while others think it is 'free love'--which is really love without any responsibility or commitment. Still others seek to identify it through the lives of other people, often their parents. Of course, this is where the whole process goes awry because people are so imperfect. The home instead of being the place where love flourishes, is the place where love is attacked and tried. It is in the home that the worst side of every person exists and is seen. But to identify true love, we must look away from humanity and look to God. His love is perfect in every way!

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

God's love reached down to us in our most horrible state. We were not worth saving in any way. Goodness existed in us only as it benefited us. In His own mercy and through the washing of the Spirit we became regenerated and renewed. All of this was through Jesus Christ. He was the One who offered Himself as the substitute sacrifice, the sacrifice that paid the price to take away our sin and rank evilness. Because of Him we are justified [just as if I had never sinned] by His grace so that we have a future and a hope. We will be heirs with Christ eternally. Paul concludes by emphasizing the truth and trustworthiness of these words. We can take it to the bank!! For these reasons our life style should be changed. We now must be careful no longer living haphazardly and without focus. We must do good works reaching out to others with this same message. All of this is excellent and profitable! And I agree!! Amen!

Father,

How You loved me! You are the epitome of love and kindness. Grow me in Your love so that I might reflect Your Son.

In His name,

Amen