Advent Words Day 23 ~ Holy

Day 23: Holy

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

Isaiah’s repeated use of the word holy reveals that God is infinitely holy. He is above all else and sacred in every way. Throughout the Bible we are told that God’s name is holy. In the biblical world one’s name embodied one’s character. So holy is who God is. Every part of His character flows from His holiness. His love is holy love, His faithfulness is holy faithfulness, His justice is holy justice, and on and on. Holy is who God is. Holy is His name.

Throughout the Bible God’s creation and His deeds point out His holiness.  Mary expressed this in her song of praise in Luke 1:46-55.

“…for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” Luke 1:49

The expression of God’s holiness in His deeds and in His creation is expressed in Psalm 105:1-5, just one of the many times this is expressed by the Psalmists.

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.”

 

The whole earth is full of His glory, holy is His name, glory in His holy name!

 

The Bible also says that not only is God holy, but He calls His people to be holy as well. His people live out His holiness.

 

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”  Leviticus 19:2

 

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

 

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

 

Our response to God’s holiness is to live as His holy people revealing His holiness to the world.

 

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Advent Words Day 22 ~ Love

Day 22: Love

“God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” I John 4:8-10

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent and the theme for today is love.

Our first Scripture reading tells us that God is love. Love is at the very core of His character. Love is who God is. Because He is love, all that He does is motivated by His love. Because the Bible says that we are the object of His love, He choose to act out of His love for us and sent His Son into the world to redeem us and give us the gift of life – abundant life in the present age, eternal life in the future. This is God’s greatest gift of love for us and God sending His Son into the world – the incarnation – is the love we celebrate during the Advent season and Christmas.

“But 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

God’s love is not a feeling, it’s an action. It is because of His love for us that He did not give sinful man what they deserved but, rather, He acted out of love and mercy and gave sinful man salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Love is an action, and we are called throughout the New Testament to imitate God’s love in our daily life. Out of love God seeks us, but He doesn’t force us into a relationship with Him. He bids us to respond to His love. When we love each other and act in love, motivated by God’s love, we help the world see who God is. God is love.

“Great love can be talked about, deep passionate love can be expressed verbally or even written down, but love expressed in action proves that it actually exists.” ~Paige Clayton

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Advent Words Day 21 ~ Ponder

 

Day 21: Ponder

I have published today’s devotion before, but I could not think of a better way to express today’s word than with these words.

"Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Psalm 111:2-3

 

Luke 2:1-20 tells the story of the birth of Jesus. We read in this passage that Joseph and Mary had to travel late in her pregnancy to go to the town of Bethlehem for a mandatory census. While in Bethlehem Mary goes into labor and her baby, Jesus, is born. Because they had not been able to find a room to rent, they had to use a stable. And so, Mary wrapped baby Jesus in cloths and placed him in a manger.

 

On that same night an angel of the Lord, shining with God's glory, appears to some shepherds at work in the fields. "Do not be afraid." He tells them. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." At this news a "great company of heavenly host" appear. I imagine that they fill the sky and light it up as if the sun were shining. The angels begin to praise God.

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on

whom his favor rests"

 

The shepherds immediately take off for Bethlehem and find Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, just as the angel of the Lord had said. They spread the word the angel of the Lord had given them, that this baby lying in a manger is the Savior. He is Christ the Lord, the promised Messiah. All who heard this were amazed. The shepherds eventually returned to their home "glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard".

 

Stuck in this passage, right before the story ends, is one sentence with Mary's response to these events:

"Mary treasured up all these thing and pondered them in her heart."

We have a clue to what Mary was treasuring and pondering in her heart. We have the events recorded by Luke in chapter 1 that reveal that Mary herself had been visited by an angel of the Lord. The angel had revealed to her the very things he revealed to the shepherds, so their words were not news to her, but rather confirmation. She had given birth to a king! Mary pondered the great, glorious and majestic works of the Lord. She reflected on them and treasured them in her heart.

"The Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name." Luke 1:49

 

 

A line from the hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty comes to my mind,

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do…

 

I read about Mary's response, and I think, "I want that kind of faith.” The kind of faith that immediately sees God's hand at work in every situation. A faith that is at rest in knowing that God will do as He has promised. Me, I probably would have focused on my circumstances, looking for a solution, and then turning to God in prayer once I had exhausted all my own resources. But if you read chapters 1 and 2 of Luke, you see Mary, time after time, looking to the Lord and praising Him for His work in her life. You don't see a shred of doubt, not a glitch of worry or anxiety. She doesn't fret over her circumstances, or even try to manage them on her own. Mary is focused on God. For that kind of faith, I think that Mary must have had a life that was filled with the Scriptures. And she alludes to that in her song in Luke 1:46-55, referencing the mighty works of the Lord in the past, in Israel's history. She would have heard in the temple the prophecies of the coming Savior, the Messiah - the One that was hoped for. When the angel came to her, she believed. I want Mary's kind of faith. I believe this is the role of the scriptures in our lives. I can read Mary's story and witness her faith and from it I can have hope. God used this young, humble teenage girl to birth the Savior of the world. Mary's faith in believing what God says he will do encourages me and is my example of how-to live-in faith and in hope.

 

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Advent Words Day 20 ~ Mercy

 

Day 20: Mercy

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,
    the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear
    in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Luke 1:67-79

This passage of Scripture in Luke’s Christmas story is known as Zechariah’s Song. Today we will take a deeper look at Zechariah’s story. Yesterday we saw that Zechariah is the father of John the Baptist, who would be the one who was sent to prepare the way before the Lord. Scripture tells us that Zechariah was a priest and descendant of Aaron, that he was elderly, and that he and his wife, Elizabeth, had been unable to have children. One day Zechariah was lighting incense in the temple when an angel of the Lord appeared. The angel told him that Elizabeth would be pregnant and bear a son, who they were to name John. This son would be "great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:15) and he be used by God. Scripture says of him:

"He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”            Luke 1:16-17

Zechariah had a hard time believing the angel, and because of his unbelief the angel told him he would be silent and unable to speak. He remained silent until the day of the birth of his son. We are told by Luke that Zechariah was then "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:67) and his first words after months of silence were to sing the words of his song in Luke 1:68-79. 

The angel of the Lord had spoken to Elizabeth as well, and she and Zechariah knew that Mary carried the Son of God, they knew their son's role would be to prepare the people for the Lord's coming. In his joy at the birth of his son, Zechariah praised God for the mercy He had shown them ~ not only mercy for them personally in bearing a child, but mercy for God's people as well, in sending the Savior. 

This Savior is the One sent by God to bring salvation. The One who had been promised from the kingly line of David. The One who would fulfill the promise made to Abraham that all the nations on earth would be blessed. The One who would rescue God's people from bondage and fear. The One who would enable God's people to serve Him "in holiness and righteousness".

 Zechariah's son John would be used by God, "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High". The prophet of the Most High would prepare the people for the Son of the Most High. John would make clear to the people that God's mercy had come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. "Because of the tender mercy of our God" salvation has come! Light has come! Peace has come! Zechariah's song gives us the story of God's mercy to His people in the gift of His Son.

Ephesians 2:4-5 show us that this gift of God’s mercy is prompted by His love.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” 

Our sin kept us far from God, dead to Him. But God did not punish us as we deserved, rather, in mercy, out of love for us, He made us alive again through Christ, our Savior.

 

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Advent Words Day 19 ~ Prepare

 

Day 19: Prepare

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.” Malachi 3:1

 In the ancient days of the Old Testament, prophets were the messengers of God who would share the words of the Lord with the people. Many of those prophets spoke and wrote of a coming great king who would bring justice and reward the righteous. He would be a king who would reign in righteousness and peace.

The prophet Malachi promised the people of Israel that a messenger would come that would prepare the way for the Lord, who would prepare the way for the great king. In ancient days when a royal procession was traveling a messenger would go before them announcing their arrival and removing any obstacles from the road they were to travel on. He prepared the way before the king.

It is believed that Malachi was the last prophet of the Lord before the birth of Christ, a span of 400 years in which God was silent. Then in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke we read the story of Zechariah, a priest, who we learn was childless. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that he would have a child, and that child would “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)

We learn later in Luke 1 that Zechariah’s son was John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-66) and then Luke tells us that “Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied:

 “…And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:76-77

John the Baptist was the one Malachi (and also Isaiah – Isaiah 40:3-5) spoke of, the messenger who would prepare the way before the Lord by preaching repentance to make hearts ready to receive the Messiah. Jesus himself would announce that John the Baptist was the one who fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi and Isaiah. (Luke 7:27). John prepared the hearts of the people to receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Notice that Malachi 3:1 also speaks of another messenger – “the messenger of the covenant”. The promised Messiah will bring the new covenant promised by God (Ezekiel 36:25-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus told us that he was the messenger of the covenant – a covenant written with His blood. We remember and celebrate our repentance and salvation when we prepare our hearts for communion.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” By Mary Brack @www.foundonbrighton.com Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28

Advent is a season of preparation, preparing our hearts to receive the coming king and to proclaim His coming to the world around us.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room.
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

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Advent Words Day 18 ~ Rejoice

 

Day 18: Rejoice

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord

    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

    of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

    holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

    from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50

While thinking about what direction to go in with today’s word, it struck me that the words of the past three days – joy, peace, promise – serve as a foundation for today’s word, rejoice. Joy is our response to God’s love and His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Peace is ours because of our restored relationship with God through Christ.  Remembering God’s fulfilled promises to those who have faith in Christ – salvation, eternal life, the Holy Spirit – gives us reason to rejoice!

This is exactly what we see in today’s Scripture passages. The Psalmist is full of gratitude to the Lord. His gratitude results in a desire to tell all about the wonderful deeds of the Lord. And it all results in a choice by the Psalmist to rejoice in the Lord.

Mary also looks at all the ways God has been active in her life – being chosen to bear the Messiah, the favor God has found in her, and the mercy He shows His people – and she also shares His wonderful deeds and chooses to rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoicing is a response of faith. Rejoicing comes out of a life that is dependent on God and from one who knows firsthand the peace of God. Rejoicing is a choice we make to respond to who God is and to all that He has done. Rejoicing is an intimate response to God that comes from a deep and intimate faith from one who is content because of the grace and love of God. It is living our life in the joy of the Lord.

The great thing about rejoicing is that we can live in joy despite our circumstances. Because joy comes from a deep abiding faith in God that results in peace and contentment, to rejoice is to make the choice to put joy into action. Rejoicing is not a feeling, nor is it dependent on feelings.  It’s dependent on faith. Despite our feelings and despite our circumstances we can still rejoice because we belong to the Lord, because He loves us, because He holds us close to His heart. We don’t deny our feelings, even the ones that may overwhelm us such as anger, despair, depression, sadness, sorrow, etc. The Scriptures are full of messages and examples of people experiencing these feelings and hard times, yet God’s people can choose to find joy in the Lord in the midst of these feelings and circumstances. This is abiding, joy-filled faith.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.” Psalm 105:1-4

Rejoice! Our Savior has come!

 

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Advent Words Day 17 ~ Promise

 

Day 17: Promise

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

God took a shepherd boy and made him into a great king. To that great king God made a promise- He established a covenant – that the House of David would endure forever and out of David’s house would come one who would establish a kingdom that would reign forever.

In the Gospel of Luke an angel of the Lord announces the coming arrival of the One who would establish the eternal kingdom, one born of David’s House, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This announcement of the birth of a king was not made to a queen, but to a humble girl.

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “ Luke 1:31-37

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

God’s promises to David are also His promises to His people. The Good News that beings great joy also brings us God’s promise of eternal life in His kingdom.

“…that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:15-17

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3

“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.”  1 John 2:24-25

God’s promises have given us salvation and eternal life. As if that is not enough, He also promised the gift of His Holy Spirit.

 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Joel 2:28

“And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:27

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised.” Luke 24:49

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15-17

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

God’s promises to King David and to Mary were fulfilled in Jesus. His promises to us - salvation, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit – are fulfilled through Jesus. In Jesus, God’s eternal kingdom has drawn near to us and lives forever!

Glory to God in the Highest!

 

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Advent Words Day 15 ~ Joy

 

Day 15: Joy

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ, the Lord.”

Luke 2:9-11

 

When the angel appeared to the shepherds they were filled with fear. The Greek translation is literally, “they feared a great fear”. But the angel’s words to them – the Good News – made great fear become great joy. The Good News brings great joy!

 

During Advent we celebrate with joy Christ’s first coming – His coming in the flesh to walk and live among us. During Advent we also look forward with joy, anticipating Christ’s second coming, “looking forward to [the promised] new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)

 

This is the rhythm of Advent, a movement through the season that enables us to focus on the promises of God fulfilled in the Messiah – the one who comes to bring salvation. As we journey through the Christmas story, the story of the first Advent, we witness that the greatest response to the coming of Christ was joy.

 

We experience Mary’s joy in response to having been chosen to bear God’s child: “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” Luke 1:46-47 

We experience the response of joy from the Magi: “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

And again, experience the joy of the heavenly hosts singing at Jesus’ birth:  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

“Good news that will cause great joy for all people!”

A Savior has been born! Jesus, the one who would save people from their sins, has come to earth. Joy has come to us! Emmanuel has come – God is with us. This is the Good News we still celebrate! Joy is at the heart of the life of the Christ-follower, for joy is our response to God’s love and His gracious gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

"Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.

    They will enter Jerusalem singing,

    crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear,

    and they will be filled with joy and gladness."

Isaiah 35:10 (NLT)

 

“Joy to the World” The Lord has come!

Let earth receive her king.

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing.”

~Watts

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Advent Words Day 14 ~ Good

 

Day 14: Good

“Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us…to purify a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:14 

Today is our last word in our journey of digging into Titus 2:11-14, a passage that has shown us how to live in between the two Advents of Christ, from grace to glory. Between the first Advent, the incarnation of Christ, and the second Advent, Christ's return, we are called to a way of life that is characterized by godly living and good deeds for the sake of Christ. 

As I said yesterday, the NIV does not capture the full intent of this verse. The NASB and other older translations better capture the Greek words that were used – “Zealous for good deeds”. In the Greek this sentence ends with the words kalos ergon, kalos meaning good and ergon meaning deeds or works. The people who are Christ’s very own are described as those who are zealous for good works. 

On some levels I think this is a call that has not been emphasized in our modern culture. I was raised Catholic, and when I came into a relationship with Christ as an adult and began attending a protestant church, it was emphasized that we are not saved by anything we do – not by works, not by earning our salvation. And this is true. But somewhere along the reformation journey, the baby was thrown out with the bath water. As this passage of Scripture has popped up for me in my studies over the past months, I have been so surprised how often we are called to be a people who do good works. 

So, as we dig into this word, let’s lay the foundation first, that we are saved by grace and grace alone.

 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 

Paul is very clear that we are saved by God’s grace and not our own works. But he is equally clear that we are saved for good works, saved to do good works. Good works are a part of God’s purpose for His people. Charles Spurgeon said, “Our good works are evidence of God’s grace within us”. In a sense we could say that good works are the visible fruit of our faith. 

What, then, are good works? I go to Jesus’ words when he was asked by the Pharisees which commandment in the Law was the greatest. Jesus replied, 

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”.” Matthew 22:37-40 

We love God and love our neighbors (others). Who are our neighbors? Basically everyone. Not simply those who are fellow Christ-followers, but all people we live and work in proximity to. Those we go to school with, shop alongside, pass on the street, etc. Even the ones who don’t believe as we do or see the world as we do. Even the ones who disagree with us or persecute us. 

And we imitate Christ’s life, which was others focused and love focused. 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 

“Be imitator of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 

The other thing I find notable about good works in Scripture is that they are to be visible, so that the good works we do give the glory to God and make Him visible. 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12 

The scope of our call to do good works runs throughout the New Testament:

 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10. Good works help us reap a harvest for the Lord. 

“But 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. This is a trustworthy saying. And 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. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:4-8 

“(We pray this) so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work…” Colossians 1:10 

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:10 

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:1-2 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 

 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. *This one blows me away! It’s such a well-known passage and yet I never noticed the connection of Scripture as a tool to equip us for good works. Although that is exactly what this study has done! 

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 

This is not an exhaustive list, in fact in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, known as the pastoral epistles, good works are mentioned 14 times (1 Tim 2:10, 3:1, 5:10(2x), 6:18, 2 Tim 2:21, 3:17, Titus 1:16, 2:7, 14, 3:1, 8,14). The Pastoral epistles, where Paul instructs the pastors on how to teach the people of God how to live, are full of teaching them to do good works! The list also does not include passages where the words are not included but descriptions of or examples of good works are referenced. 

May we spur one another on to do good works and live holy lives that show the world who God is, that they may come to praise Him for His marvelous deeds! This is our call on how to live in this present age between the Advents of Christ. 

Today ends the first half of the Advent Season. It also ends our journey of looking at the words of Titus 2:11-14. Tomorrow we will begin to explore the more traditional words of Advent and Christmas.

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