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Paul’s personal epitaph in verses
6-8 is one of the most widely quoted portions of Paul’s writings. Most often,
it is quoted at funerals when the speaker wants to convey the assurance of
eternal life. However, too often the speaker goes on to try and justify this
assurance by giving as evidence a litany of good deeds. This, of course, is
totally contrary to Paul’s proclamation that we have been save by grace through
faith. There are no good works we can point to that will justify our receiving
the gift of eternal life.
When Paul refers to have
“remained faithful” he has in mind his allegiance to the Kingdom of God. His
devotion to God’s calling on his life never wavered. Paul’s life was full of
good deeds and he was in complete harmony with James who wrote, “I will show
you my faith by my good deeds.” (James 2:14-20) Everything Paul did was
motivated by God’s love flowing through him after he gave God his heart and
soul.
Paul closed his epitaph by noting
that all of the followers of Jesus can have this same sense of assurance. Every
so often it is a good spiritual exercise to ask yourself if you could make the
same statement about your life as Paul did for his.
If not, why not?
If not
now, when?
What word or phrase
in these verses
Attracts your
attention?
Reflect on that word
or phrase.
What insights come to
you?
How does this passage
touch your life today?
Reading for 19-Apr-12 Titus 1, 2 & 3
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