Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Saturday after the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
Leave a comment

Scripture: Titus 2:15—3:3 (NKJV)

2:15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

Devotion

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

Christian humility is an important characteristic that the Holy Ghost creates in us. Without it we easily fall into our natural state of being self-important narcissists. As we considered previously, Christians are tempted to think that because they have the wisdom of God’s sound doctrine and the forgiveness of sins in Christ they are holier than other “lowly sinners.” Satan would have us glorify ourselves rather than God, and use His Word as a club to beat on others rather than help them.

But faithful preaching and teaching of His Word never lets us forget that we were once lost and condemned in our own sins, and even now we still sin constantly. His Spirit must teach us humility. That humility makes us able to see that we are no better than anyone else. We can only boast in Christ and His forgiveness from the cross. And His atonement has been accomplished not just for us, but for whoever believes and is baptized in Him!

We pray: Lord God, grant us Your Spirit so that we may be truly humble, showing love and mercy to others as Jesus Christ has shown it to us. Amen.

Leave a Comment