Risen
Do you remember where you came from?
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. - Titus 2:11-3:8
In the pastoral letter of Paul to Titus, the leaders of the church are told they should remember where they came from, so that they would treat others the way they would like to be treated.
Some people who have had a rough life are so thankful they have risen out of those beginnings that they share their joy with everyone. While others stay in the anger and frustration of the past and pass along more of the same to everyone they meet.
Paul reminds us through his epistle, to hold our heads up high and be thankful for the salvation we have attained through Christ. That alone should prop us up against those who would bring us down,
And because we have risen above the fray, we should be eager to help others rise above theirs as well.
Share the love. Be the light instead of the darkness. Anyone can be angry and spiteful, but it takes something special to be thankful and merciful.
It takes the love of God in us. That is what Jesus came to share with us. We are all loved.
More to come...