Demonstrate Christian Living

KEY VERSE: “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.” —Titus 2:7

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:7, 8, 11-14; 3:1-8

THE APOSTLE PAUL, writing about Jesus Christ, said, He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people [his followers], zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) The faithful people of God in every age have been zealous of good works—those works which have been authorized by God and blessed by him.

Jesus said in his sermon on the Mount, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Matt. 7:24,25) Here the Master compares zealous obedience to his teachings, to a work of building—and building solidly upon a rock.

And what are ‘these sayings of mine’, referred to by the Master, obedience to which is so fundamental to success in God’s work? Going back to the beginning of his sermon we find the Beatitudes. These emphasize the need for humility of heart—being “poor in spirit”; heartfelt sympathy for the groaning creation—mourning with those who “mourn”; teachableness—learning to be “meek”; a desire above all things else to know God and to be pleasing to him—“hungering and thirsting after righteousness”; imitating divine mercy and love—striving to be “merciful”; being sincere—the seeking to be “pure in heart”; faithfulness in the ministry of reconciliation—learning to be “peacemakers”; zeal in light bearing—placing our “candles” on a candlestick so all can see.—Matt. 5:1-16

Those who have a mind to work for the Lord will not seek an easy way. Instead they will “strive to enter in at the strait gate.” (Luke 13:24) To keep these sayings of Jesus is not an easy task; it requires real effort; many difficulties are encountered. Therefore not many find the true way—the way of sacrifice and suffering—to glory, honor, and immortality. It is found only by those who are willing to pay the cost of weariness, sacrifice, and, of life itself.

The work of God in this age is in preparation for what he has promised to do in the next age, that is, the blessing of all the families of the earth; so we are being trained for that future work. Through the application of the divine principles of righteousness in our own lives, we are being prepared to administer God’s law to the poor groaning creation in the time of the world’s Judgment Day. And how wonderfully divine wisdom is displayed in the arrangements he has made for our training to be kings and priests unto God—the arrangements by which we are brought into actual contact with the people in our work of proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom!

Our work of building is an individual one, as well as collective. Collectively we work, for example, in our local ecclesias or groups of ecclesias. Our evangelistic efforts sometimes result in attracting newly interested persons to our meetings. These mingle with us, and we seek to help them grow spiritually. Some make progress, and remain, becoming part of the ecclesia. Others do not, but after attending for awhile are not seen anymore.

And how better could the saints be trained to deal with all the various classes of society in the Millennial Age than by coming into actual contact with them now and endeavoring to help them understand something of the great principles of the divine character! It is the experience of all Christians who are faithful in trying to help their fellows understand the truth, that never is the message of God’s love so precious to them and such a great power of regeneration in their own lives, as when they tell it to others.

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