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to be ready to do whatever is good
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.
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.
The very first thing he mentions here is the fact that the church must have members who are law abiding. A believer should obey the laws of the land in which he lives unless those laws conflict or contradict his duty and relationship to God........................................We are to be subject to the principalities and powers over us. A church should teach this; part of the message that should be given to church members is that they should be obedient to the powers that be. that obedience is not to the MAN but to the OFFICE that he represents. Perhaps you resent the manner in which a police officer gives you a citation for a traffic violation, but you should respect the uniform he wears. He represents the segment of our society that protects our persons and our property. Without them we would be in a bad way today
"washing" means laver--it is the laver of regeneration. In the Old Testament the laver, which stood in the court of the tabernacle and later the temple, represented this. This washing of regeneration is what the Lord was speaking about in the third chapter of John, "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). The water represents the Word of God --the Bible will wash you. It has a sanctifying power, a cleansing power. We are cleansed by the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God---"born of water and of the Spirit." That is the way we are born again.
"and renewing of the Holy Ghost"---He regenerates us.
Have you noticed that in everything God does there is a surplus? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:4-5 NLT
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.
Titus 3:9 (ESV) wrote:But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
ECCENTRICSHEEP wrote:I still struggle with feel very very uncomfortable at church. Just sitting in that crowded room feels so uncomfortable even though I know plenty of people there. I don't even like looking up or standing during songs very much. I don't know what else to do but keep the faith in what God created the church for and keep going since God has made it clear this is where he wants me. I just get tired of feeling uncomfortable and feeling this force trying to push me out of there.
Columbia wrote:It's okay, Courtney. Church is a good place to be for corporate worship, even when it tends to seem lame. You belong there with God's people. Church is hard for me too. You know that about me already. But the Lord keeps me from giving up on church altogether. A friend from high school days tells me he hasn't attended a conventional church in over 30 years! He said that once he left it was almost impossible to go back. Another old friend, from over 20 years ago, tells me he just didn't fit in so has avoided church for three years. We are not there for the approval of people who act like monkeys. I wish I could say a miracle word that would get my friends back into church. But I can't. So I go not feeling comfortable and not fitting in. It doesn't matter. Maybe that's a coping mechanism. The next time we go to church, to imagine the people who act like monkeys actually being monkeys. I don't know about you, but I'll probably bust up laughing thinking about that. It may take the edge off the discomfort.
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
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