Devotion for July 17, 2008

Walk in Humility

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” (Titus 3:1-8 NKJV)

One of the joys I experienced in college was going to a little room where the coffee machine was kept in the education building. Students would come in there to drink coffee, study together, wait for classes to begin, eat doughnuts, and talk theology. This place of fellowship was appropriately dubbed Doughnut Theology. I remember having wonderful discussions with young men preparing to enter the ministry.

I went to college midlife so I was a good 10-15 years older than most of the students. I am not a young man now, and if by the grace of God I have learned anything, it is that I know very little. However, this revelation didn’t come over night, or without pain and embarrassment. There is brashness, an arrogance that often accompanies youthfulness. This was particularly noticeable in Doughnut Theology.

These young men were so sure of everything, because someone they trusted told it was so, but they lacked the experience of life. Even their theology often had great gapping holes in it. So it was when an un-defendable idea was challenged they would resort to forcefulness as if waving their arms around and raising their voice would make them right.

As a believer, we too can become arrogant or opinionated to the point that people will not listen to us. Therefore, Paul tells Titus to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Why? For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. It wasn’t all that long ago, remember.

What was it that changed you? Was it someone yelling at you? Was it someone backing you into a corner with his/her words? Did harshness work? I tell you no! I was the goodness of God that led you to repentance. It took the working of the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to truth.

Therefore, remember where you were before salvation when you are dealing with others. Maintain good works before the lost that they might see them and glorify God. God will save those He is going to save. He knows how to chasten His children. We need to speak the truth in love and not with a big stick.