Jeremiah 24-26 Titus 2

“That is the way we should live, because God’s grace that can save everyone has come. It teaches us not to live against God nor to do the evil things the world wants to do. Instead, that grace teaches us to live in the present age in a wise and right way and in a way that shows we serve God.” (Titus 2:11-12 NCV)

As terrible as the Cretans were, God’s grace could save them. Paul’s admonition to Titus, even after quoting some of the Cretans self-condemnatory words and talking about their character earlier was a wakeup call to Titus. God’s grace can even reach the Cretans. If God’s grace can save them, everyone has an opportunity to experience His grace. That grace teaches and empowers us to live in a godly way in this present age, just as it did for the Cretans, and reveals to the world that we don’t follow their evil ways; instead, we follow and serve God.

It would be easy to believe that some people are beyond the grace of God. For example, there are people who persecute Christians today, in some cases it’s the law of the land that allows and encourages that. We could get our ire up and ask God to send fire down on those people because people who persecute Christians are beyond hope. Only we’d see Paul in the background, waving his hand saying, “Hi! Remember me?” We might think about our political opponents because they hold positions that are obviously wrong, and God could never love someone like this, but we fail to see that part of our positions on the issue go against God’s ways. Is it liberating, or threatening when you realize that God isn’t a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, or even and Independent? “What’s that make Him, then?” you might ask. It makes Him God who cares about all people and wants them all to come to experience His grace and forgiveness. God isn’t a Democrat or a Republican. He isn’t even a Libertarian. He’s God. Our job isn’t to be the best <insert political party here>, it’s to be the best follower of Christ we can be. We do that when we live by God’s grace and extend His grace to others.

Lord, it’s a crazy world out there. When I get angry and start to hate people for the wrong they do, remind me that You love them as much as You loved me. Help me to recall that You extended grace to me at my worst and that You’ll extend grace to anyone who turns to You. Use me to show Your love and grace to people who need to experience it.

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