I can speak of my industry (HVAC) as corrupt. I have been doing this for 20 years and this is the worst I have seen it. With the downturn of the economy, and industry mandates, the fuel for price gouging fed on fear and outright dishonesty are going to affect every home. The industry is playing on the fear card on both sides, and trying to take advantage through dishonest tactics to make the largest profit in our industry in these tough economic times. I could easily write a paper on this. But the book of Titus speaks just as true today, as it did thousands of years ago.
Good works
Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Paul was writing this letter to Titus to exhort the young leader of the church in Crete where Titus was trying to lead a church in a very hostile environment. The Cretans were living a life of excess, and known as liars, whom in their world I am sure would do anything to make a deal. Crete was a huge business hub, and the people believed in themselves, not God. But yet here Paul and Timothy were preaching of maintaining good works, going against what in their society was the norm. I am sure this was a very unpopular teaching in a society of excess and “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” verse 12.
Paul and Timothy had brought the gospel of Christ to Crete and told them as in Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. This would go against all the culture in saying that you cannot earn your way into heaven. If we feel as though all our good works, our good deeds, our prosperity will earn Gods grace, we are mislead. It is by the humble acceptance of Christ as the only Way, and the good works that come as a result of the regeneration of ourselves, bring glory to God. Titus 8: This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. You don’t earn it, but you do reveal it in all you do every day to those around you.
oneminuteministry 