KJB Daily Devotion – Following
Jesus In Every
Chapter
Date: Saturday,
December 12, 2015
Chapters: Books
of Titus & Philemon
Message
Title: Beyond
Human Nature

Hello My Friend,

The
books of Titus and Philemon are the seventeenth and eighteenth books
of the New Testament, and the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh books of
the Bible. The author of these epistles is Paul, Titus was written
around 63 AD. What we are to learn from the book is that working in
the ministry must be established and organized according to the
principles of the word of God. “Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;” - Titus
2:12. Philemon was written around 64 AD. What we are to learn from it
is, Christian principles must be applied to social and personal
relationships in and out of the church. “That
the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
- Philemon 1:6.

You don't have to know Christ to know
that some things are just wrong. For instance, human nature teaches
us that having sexual relations with others when in a committed
relationship is wrong. Now to those who know Christ, not only is
adultery wrong, but any sexual relations outside of marriage is also,
it is by choice that we choose to do what is right. You see, human
nature teaches morals, but it is Jesus Christ and walking with Him
that teaches us what God sees as right. As Christians, we are to be
growing in Christ daily so that we can be more than just a saved
soul, but a witness that reveals Christ in us. Titus was a Greek
convert that Paul used to correct some problems within the churches
in Crete, it seems that the church leader was not living as he was
preaching. Paul teaches Titus how to spot a true Christian, and warns
him about deceivers within the church.

“For
there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they
of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole
houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's
sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The
Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is
true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the
faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men,
that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto
them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their
mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but
in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto
every good work reprobate.” - Titus 1:10-16.

“for
filthy lucre's sake.” This is money gained by deceiving
people, or bribes. Do you know how many men and women use Christ's
name to get rich, they parade on unsaved, lost people trying to do
the right thing? Sadly, they are sending thousands of people to hell
with their vain talking. Human nature teaches us that deceiving
people is wrong, Jesus teaches us that we are not to believe every
spirit, and to remain pure, sober, and under His grace. Paul stresses
to Titus the importance of not only knowing the word of God, but
living it. “Exhort servants to be obedient
unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not
answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that
they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the
grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” - Titus 2:9-13.

“Looking
for that blessed hope,” Do you know why the majority of
people who know of Christ don't follow Him? They have no hope in Him.
They don't see a reason to when “Christians” are living worldlier
lives than they are. The majority of these people are not Christians
at all, and are making a mockery of what Christianity is all about.
This is why it's so important that we who do love and follow Christ,
live a godly life, proving that a life truly can be changed and
blessed when Christ is Lord in it. It's not about following commands,
it's about having respect for what Jesus did for you and honoring Him
with that respect. Human nature teaches us that we are not perfect,
but Jesus teaches us that we are perfect in Him.

“Put
them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To
speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and
pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our
Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us
abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by
his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal
life.” - Titus
3:1-7.

“That being justified by
his grace,” Grace, not getting the punishment we deserve. It
is by the grace of God that we are not punished for all the things we
have done in our human nature. But grace is more than that, it's the
favor of God, His commitment to us for believing in His Son, and
accepting Him, His assurance of eternal life, and His promise to be
there for us through the good and bad times. Philemon lived in
Colosse, and was sent to seek a runaway slave named Onesimus, who
actually penned down this letter for Paul. When Paul wrote to
Philemon, he was in a Roman prison, however, he knew who really had
control of his life, therefore, he identifies himself as a prisoner
of Christ.

“Hearing of thy love
and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all
saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by
the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ
Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the
bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore,
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is
convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an
one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I
beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to
thee and to me:” - Philemon 1:5-11.

“and
now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” Paul didn't mean that
he was made a prisoner by Christ, he meant that he was a prisoner for
the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He was in prison on the account of
professing Him, and preaching in His name, not any crime against him.
When we choose to live our lives for Christ we are going to get
persecuted, look at how many people this year ended up in jail or
court because they stood for Christ, but nothing we go through with
Christ is unprofitable, it all comes with eternal rewards. “In
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 15:52-54,58. Praise God!

Today's
Prayer: God, I do want to live a life that is pleasing to
You, help me to learn Your will, and to get around other godly people
who know and live by Your truths, and let me not stop teaching Your
truths to others. Let us not be deceived by Christians, and keep us
grounded in Your Word so we can be the godly examples You need us to
be to reach the lost. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless
You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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