Title: Zeal for Good / Titus 2:12-15
Content " A writer named Philip Yancy recently published a book titled "Disappointment with God." While writing this book, Philip consulted with several people, but he was unexpectedly disappointed with God. I realized that there were many people, some said that God did not answer their prayers even though they prayed so much, some said that they worked hard at church and did many good things, but God pretended not to know all these things, some said that God did not listen to them even though they prayed a lot. People have suffered so much injustice that even though they appealed to God, the injustice has not been resolved. Philip collects these counseling materials and publishes a book, saying that there are three types of people in the world: first, those who forget God and live their own way, second, those who know God but live in disappointment, and third, not only disappointed but also completely disappointed. These are people who reject God and live in regret.
There was a boy who suffered from depression and neurosis. One day, the boy suddenly gets angry and pulls out a gun from the closet and shoots his father. The boy's father died on the spot, and the boy was arrested. He is telling the reason why he killed his father because he demanded so much from him and was constantly watching him and couldn't stand it any longer. But one day the boy was sobbing and muttering in prison. ""It's my fault. i need a father Father, father...""
Through today's Bible verse, our Father tells us not to be bothered and to work hard for good. In today's book of Titus, the emphasis on good works is emphasized six times. ""Teach in good works (2:3)" ""Do the household chores, and be good... (2:5)" ""Set yourself an example in good works (2:6)" ""Be faithful in what is good" (2:6)" "Be a people zealous for what is good" (2:14) ""Do not forsake what is good" (1:16)
I. Christians should be busy with good works
But strangely, he is not busy with God. I am relaxed about my religious life. Slowly step on the brakes for the church. When it comes to good things, they sometimes step back or yield. It goes very slowly and comfortably. Too slow for God. When it comes to being saved, serving as a member of the church, attending church worship, paying tithing, reading the Bible, or studying the Bible, we always put it off with leisure. It is infinitely slow in evangelism and prayer. Then one day, when the doctor suddenly tells us that we have little time left to live, we realize that we were wrong, and we cry and regret. Sometimes, when locked in a collapsed building, like the boy who killed his father weeping and crying, "Father, Father...", he sheds light on the preciousness of time and his own existence, who has been busy running into futile work.
You must be busy with good works. Goodness can include philosophical good, social good, legal good, religious good, etc. Leave it to scholars to analyze, divide, and interpret goodness in this way, and believe that goodness is God's work for us, and good works are God's work. Because we remember the words of Jesus that there is only one good person, and no one is good except God. God's own people should be zealous for good works.
II. Let us not be disappointed with God
Do good, but do not disappoint God. Most disappointments come from expectations. There is a saying that evil people run away even when no one is following them. It means that you think so, and you are so disappointed with yourself.
We also have this mindset. Those who do a lot of good deeds, do not neglect their piety lives, and are zealous for prayer and consecration have the expectation that they will receive more preferential treatment than others in heaven. It would be more appropriate to call such a service performed in the hope of some kind of profit a transaction rather than a service. It is the heart of planting small things to get big things. The more people who do good deeds, the more they feel lacking, surrender everything to God, and obey and be patient.
III. As God's own people, we must live with pride and pride.
Verse 14 says, "That they might become his own people, zealous for good works." The phrase ?쏿 people of His own??is used only once in the New Testament, and only here. It is his people, a special people. It means that Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity, to cleanse us, to be zealous in good works, and to be a people of special possession. These people of God do not calculate, analyze, or question God. Yanshi, who already wrote the aforementioned book "Disappointment with God," said, ""God is not something to be analyzed or studied by the human brain." It is living believing that He will give you everything generously and make it useful.
He is telling these people to forsake two things. It is ungodliness and lust. Conversely, he tells us to take three things. It is sorrow, righteousness, and godliness. Then the blessed hope with the promise of God, the glory of Christ, will be revealed. I hope you will work hard for good deeds. Do not be discouraged by God, and live as God's own people. This is what the Bible tells us today.??