Paul underscored an important insight we should keep close to heart:

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Jesus saved us not due to our noble qualities or virtuous lives, but due to his mercy. I’m made of dust (not super-dust), and thankfully the Lord treats my dirty self with compassion.

In our world mercy remains in short supply, which throughout history has always been the case. Mercy rarely makes headlines or advances one’s career.

Remembering God’s merciful treatment helps me consider mercy toward others. His mercy involved our rebirth through the Holy Spirit, who now indwells each believer and grants the ability to act with mercy. Paul said:

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Through the energy of the Holy Spirit I can actually develop into a more merciful person. Hard to believe what the Lord might accomplish in our fragile lives.

Holy Spirit, allow me to better understand your mercy, and may I extend it to those in my path.

Titus 3 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Dominik Kuhn

I’m a news junkie. I used to take a daily newspaper delivered to my door, but in this electronic age I read the news feed from the Associated Press and the BBC on my phone. I also subscribe to a local Colorado online newspaper.

World politics intrigues me. Having traveled a good bit, I’ve seen first-hand evidence of policies instituted by various countries, both good and bad. The actions of powerful leaders influence broad populations. As a result, many forget who really controls our world.

The psalmist reminds us: The Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth…God reigns over the nations…the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.

Whether or not a king or president or prime minister or premier or dictator believes in God, he or she still remains subject to God. The kings of the earth belong to God. The Lord has a way of humbling those in power.

If the most powerful of this earth belong to God, then I certainly do as well. My self, which longs for its own exaltation as much as any prince, needs the constant reminder to humbly acknowledge its Lord.

Psalm 47 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Mathias Reding

Paul wrote to the young pastors under his care, Timothy and Titus, regarding the appointment of elders to lead their local churches. His list makes for a good self-check for anyone following the way of Jesus.

Here’s a sampling: An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife…not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent…hospitable, one who loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

A strong list of personal characteristics. Depth of character combined with loving others makes for a good leader.

Paul continued with a second set of qualifications: He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it have been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Alongside right living stands right teaching. A leader pays close attention to the word of God. The teachings passed down from Paul and the authors of scripture form the basis of sound doctrine, both to be taught freely and to counter those who promote falsities in the name of Christ.

While the list appears daunting, serious minded followers of Jesus remain ever necessary to lead our churches. I appreciate the elders who lead our local church and the giving of their time and energy doing so.

But whether I serve as an elder or not, these qualifications help me take a closer at how I’m progressing in the faith—or better yet—how the faith is progressing in me.

Titus 1 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Aaron Burden