Lent 4

I didn't really understand why Titus was on the list.  Yet one more letter from crazy Paul to one of his guys somewhere out there with lots of words about submitting to each other and being like Paul. I'm a bit down on Paul I guess, not for any good reason, except for maybe how hard it is to understand the book of Romans. Did he even write that one? I should look into that.

Anyway.  Titus. Lent. Preparing for the death and resurrection. Letting sin die, and Life return.

Right.

Or in this case, not right. Good instead.  A whole chapter in the Bible that says Don't worry so much about being right; put your energy into being good. I read it three or four times before I stopped reading it for other people and realized maybe this was a word for me. Not for my husband, not for old co-workers and current church-sharers. This is for this heart, this Lent.

Down in verse nine we read to avoid foolish controversies and argument because they're useless. Useless! And yet my list of quarrels feels absolutely NOT foolish and hardly useless at all! A divisive person though, is to be warned once, then twice, and then just ignored. Because such a person is "warped and sinful; [they are] self-condemned."

Self-condemned. And to think 4 days ago I was having a hard time thinking up sin.

This weekend I will start asking God to whisper useless and foolish in my ear every time this dark heart starts reciting arguments and is tempted to quarrel. And then I will have the good sense to ask for forgiveness, ask for that part of me to die so that Life can come instead, and live.

Titus 3

New International Version (NIV)

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

¹² As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.