Saint Paul instructs us what it means to be a true believer.
A believer must be blameless, hospitable, one who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He/she must love what is good.
Believers should not slander anyone, but be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle towards everyone.
Young men should be self-controlled and do what is good.
Older men should be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Older women should be reverent in the way they live and teach what is good. They should train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home and to be kind.
In their teaching of the faith, believers should show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned so that those who oppose them may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about the believers.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-12)
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. 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, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)
Those who have trusted in God must be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good and be active in sharing their faith!
God’s grace is NOT a license to commit sin or to do evil!
God admonishes us gently but if a person continues to sin, they will be exposed for who they really are and they will not see God. Only the pure see God!
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Believers in Christ, I urge you to take these trustworthy teachings to heart, so that you may shine like stars in the universe and be richly welcomed into God’s kingdom!
Amen.