Be Good to One Another

KEY VERSE: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” —Titus 3:8

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Titus 3:1-11

HOW CAN WE be good to everyone, including those we think are undeserving? In answer, today’s lesson steers us to God’s treatment of us when we were the undeserving. Verse 3 reminds us that we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, filled with envy, hating one another.

It was when we were like this that the kindness and consideration of God appeared to us, and resulted in our salvation, which is not a reward for any works of righteousness that we have done. (vss. 4,5) But we, who have left the world, who have renounced its spirit, are under the most solemn obligations as New Creatures in Christ to bring our fallen nature with its tendencies to evil into full subjection to the new nature, to bring the old creature under control of the holy will of God, crucifying the flesh and bringing every thought into captivity of obedience to Christ.

Paul contrasts the fruits of the Adversary and of the fallen flesh with the precious fruits of the Spirit of God. The one spirit is heavenly, Godlike; while the other is “earthly, sensual, devilish.” (Gal. 5:22,23; James 3:15) Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance are the heavenly fruits. They are the very opposite of the spirit of the Adversary. As we endeavor to do the will of God and to cultivate the sweet qualities of the Holy Spirit, we find continual warfare with the inherited weakness of our fallen flesh.

In Ephesians 4:26, the Apostle Paul admonishes us, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” No matter what provocation one may have had, he should see to it that the matter is settled as quickly as possible. Anger or wrath must not be harbored for it is sure to lead to permanent bitterness and hatred. He emphasizes this matter in writing to the Hebrews: “Follow peace with all men, … lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”—Heb. 12:14,15

No one has the right or ability to judge the heart of another; we should be very slow to anger and very careful how we express ourselves. We should guard our tongues against evil-speaking, backbiting, or slander, for these are assassinations of another’s character. Each should seek to purge out the old leaven of malice and envy and strife and evil-speaking, that he may be pure in heart—having a copy of the Lord’s pure heart.

The law of love forbids the Lord’s people to follow the harmful example of the world. Paul admonishes us of this, saying, “Speak evil of no man” (vs. 2), even declaring against evil surmisings, and in I Corinthians 13:5 the apostle says that “[love] thinketh no evil.”

Jesus instructs us to pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12-15) Again he declares, “So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matt. 18:35) If we treasure up resentment against others, the Heavenly Father will not forgive us! So, we are to be ready to do good to one another, and thereby, to be pleasing to our loving and forgiving God.

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