Daily reading: Titus 1-3
In the movie Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks’ character spends the bulk of the film working to save the life of one man, Private James Francis Ryan, who is slated to be sent home after his three brothers have all been killed in combat. Near the close of the film, Hanks leans in to Matt Damon, who plays Private Ryan and whispers his last words, “Earn this.”
The final scene of the movie is both touching and convicting. Ryan, now an old man, stands at the grave of the man who gave his life to save him and he weeps. He looks to his wife, “Tell me I’ve lived a good life,” he says, “Tell me I’m a good man.”
(Here’s the scene, if you want to give it a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZgoufN99n8)
For him, the reality of living a good life in response to the sacrifice that was made on his behalf was tangible because he had looked in the eyes of the man who died in his place. I think, perhaps, we miss something because we can’t do that, don’t you?
Paul wanted us to think about doing good with our lives. It seemed to be important to him.
His letter to Titus is not long. It’s only 46 verses. But almost 1/5 of them talk about doing what is good (17.5% for you math heads out there).
“I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.”
Our lives as believers preach louder than any Bible verses we post to our Facebook pages or how pious we consider ourselves to be. Perhaps that’s why Paul concludes his letter to Titus with the reminder that,
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”
We all know that we can’t earn salvation, but we can earn (or lose) other people’s trust.
— The way that we speak to, and about, our parents or our spouse could make someone want to know more about the God we serve…or less.
— The integrity we exhibit at work might make them want to pick up a Bible…or never set foot in a church.
— Our gentleness, kindness, and considerate behavior may be the thing that draws someone to experience the love of God for the first time…or they might come to believe that God is rude and harsh and uncaring.
To put it another way… why would your unbelieving boss want to consider Christianity if you are the laziest employee they have? Or… Do you think anyone cares how many Bible verses you know if you make everyone around you feel like garbage?
We can all fall into the self-focused trap far too easily. So here’s your reminder that (and you might need to sit down for this): It’s not about you.
I had kind of an ‘a-ha’ moment in Sunday morning worship not too long ago when we were singing the song, Awakening. Some of the lyrics say,
For the world You love
Your will be done
Let Your will be done in me
Praying for God’s will to be done in your life is a good thing no matter what. But it hit me over the head that Sunday morning that the purpose of Him wanting to do his will in my life wasn’t just for me. “For the world you love…”
While we can’t ever “Earn this” we can embrace the passionate and intentional living that Private Ryan embraced and regularly examine ourselves with questions like he asked…Am I living a good life?
Or more specifically… Is how I’m living drawing people towards God or repelling them from Him? Am I reflecting Him accurately?
Am I devoting myself to doing what is good?
-Susan Landry
Today’s Bible reading can be read or listened to at BibleGateway here – Titus 1-3
Tomorrow we will read 1st Peter 1-5.
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