1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, 2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Salvation is a really good thing. Sometimes, I don’t really think about it and I comfortably go about my business. But there are other times when I remember what I have been saved from, and what I am saved into, and it resonates deeply inside of me. Today’s passage draws me out of my comfort zone and reminds me of the great truths of what salvation really means.

For the first half of my life, I didn’t know Jesus. I too was “foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures”.  I wouldn’t have called myself “living in malice and envy”, but maybe in God’s sight, I was. I wouldn’t doubt it!

But when I discovered the kindness and love that God the Father has for the world, that he is ready and willing to forgive our wrongs through the blood of his Son, that we could through faith alone, in his grace alone, become heirs with the hope of eternal life through Christ alone – this grace and mercy was more than I had ever received in my entire life. So I accepted the offer of life, making Jesus Christ my Lord and saviour.

At the beginning, this was transformative – I was a changed man. And as the years have rolled on, I am still a changed man, yet somehow I’m more complacent or comfortable. I don’t strive to be devoted to doing good deeds as much, or I’m far more tempted to not listen to rulers or authorities.  But notice what the apostle Paul charges Timothy to do: emphasize everything that salvation means, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. If I am truly a man saved from foolishness and slavery, and saved into a new birth, a new life, and an eternal future – then remembering that should cause me to be devoted to a radically “good” living. Not just good for myself, but a good that shows peace and gentleness and consideration to all people, for their benefit. And not “good” to earn anything from God, but “good” because he has already given me everything.

These are the truths that I need reminding of. Pray with thankfulness for them, that we would remind each other of them regularly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.