Jeremiah 22-23 Titus 1

“To those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:15-16 NCV)

There are some people who can find good in anyone. There are others who couldn’t see something good from God if He delivered the package Himself. As Paul counseled Titus who was laboring for the Lord on the Isle of Crete, he mentioned that the difference in those two types of people comes from the level of their commitment to God. Those people who are committed to God see the good, the purity of His presence in all situations. On the other hand, those who see evil in everything and spend their time complaining about it reveal that they don’t know God, no matter what they say. If you know God, you’ll tend to be loving and forgiving. If you don’t know God, you’ll find fault with everything.

Perhaps that seeing the good in anyone can go to far. The woman who decided that it was good that the devil’s horns were so shiny may have gotten a bit carried away. Still, if we believe that God’s in control in this world, we can find ways to seek Him in any situation. Sometimes those bad situations may call on us to minister to people who are hurting. God’s people seek the good, or the way to do good in any situation. Those who don’t know God, even though they claim to, will find ways to criticize others and tear them down no matter what happens. If someone’s successful, they could have done better. If they’re wildly successful, someone else could have done more. Nothing is ever enough for these people. Sometimes they show up as self-appointed prophets letting everyone else know how bad they are and that they’re bound for hell. The grace and compassion of God makes no difference to these people. They believe that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross paid the penalty for their sins, but they’re also pretty sure that your sins are so bad that yours aren’t forgiven. Paul’s one-word description of these people is apt: they’re useless. Perhaps they’re even worse than useless because their actions drive people away from a relationship with God. People are searching for good. They want to know that they’re loved and accepted. Our job is to show them the goodness of God and let them know that He loves and accepts them through Jesus Christ. Let’s change the world with the positive message of salvation by grace.

Lord, it’s so easy to attack people and be negative. Help me to see the good in them. Help me to experience the love for them that You have. Let me show them Your grace and lead them towards a relationship with You.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.