Prayer
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head (Psalm 3:3). Heavenly Father we praise you as the God whom protects us from all of our enemies. may You lift up our heads unto Thee. may we see the brightness of Thy infinite glory. Amen.
Today’s Hymn
Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880. Music: Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885.
A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM
Click here for tune.
The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
We recently had an incident in Powell where a van occupied by a 4-year-old child rolled into an irrigation canal. The child’s mother was knocked to the ground trying to stop the van and save her child. A passerby saw this happen and reported seeing the child sitting on the front seat of the van, wide-eyed, silent, and not moving, as the van began to sink. The passerby entered the water, retrieved the child from the van before it submerged and removed him to the safety of the bank and his mother’s arms. This passerby reported to me that his only thought as he entered the water was this question, “I wonder how deep this water is?” This man was honored by our Mayor for his courage in going to the rescue of this child at the risk of danger to himself. Some people report that under the stress of life threatening circumstances such as these that their “life flashed before their eyes”. In other words, the stress of the moment brings to recollection significant events of their life. Today, in Titus 3, Paul causes the significant events of any Christian’s life to “flash before our eyes.”
Dad’s Study
Paul provides for us a synopsis of the believer’s life, broken down into the 3 significant stages which all Christians’ experience.
1. Before Christ (verse 3)
Prior to the Gospel of grace operating in our lives and transforming us into new creatures in Christ, we are still reprobate, dead in our trespasses and sins. As such we are foolish, rejecting the truth, disobedient, at enmity with God. We are deceived, pursuing after false teaching and the vain philosophies of this world, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, with our members being slaves of unrighteousness and spending our life in malice and envy, hating one another instead of loving one another as Christ has commanded us.
2. Salvation comes (verses 4-7)
But the kindness of God and His love for mankind was made manifest in the flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 4). God saved us through Christ and His finished work on the cross, not based on any merit or works of our own. It is solely on His grace and mercy, applied to us by His Holy Spirit, justifying us by His grace, and making us heirs to eternal life (verses 5- 7).
3. After Christ (verses 1-2, 8-11)
Therefore, those who have believed and are recipients of such grace are to be careful and engage in good deeds pleasing to our Lord and God (verse 8). We are to be subject to those in authority over us, obedient, and ready to do all good deeds (verse 1). We should malign no one, be uncontentious, gentle, considering others before ourselves (verse 2). We also are to shun controversy, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law since they are unprofitable for the body of Christ (verse 9). We are to reject those who engage in such things and are factious, causing strife in the body, knowing that those who cause such things are perverted and sinning. This we are to do after warnings, that perhaps first they may be turned from the error of their ways and restored to the body and its head, Jesus Christ (verses 10-11).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Does your “Christian experience” match this template as Paul describes it? Do you look back and see yourself reprobate and dead in your sins before Christ? Do you believe that it is God that has saved you, and not you yourself by “your” faith? Do you see a change in your life since Christ, leaving behind the old and now walking in the new? If so, rejoice for the Lord has provided evidence of your salvation. If not, examine your own heart and ask yourself, “Am I really His?” If not, turn to Him today that by His kindness and His love you might be saved by His grace.
Catechism
Question 32
Q. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7), and accepts us as righteous in his sight (2 Corinthians 5:21) only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us (Romans 5:19), and received by faith alone (Galatians 2:16 Philippians 3:9).
