Christians must not think of themselves as being intrinsically better than others. In our fallen human nature, we are no better than unbelievers. "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Any moral gains we have made are entirely gifts from God (1 Cor. 4:7).
But to maintain that there is no difference between the life of people who walk in the light and those who walk in darkness is wrong (1 Thess. 5:5–6). There is a difference. We must live out that difference as "children of light."
At the start of the closing chapter of Titus Paul paints a stark contrast between what he elsewhere calls the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19–24). He will eventually emphasize the "goodness and loving kindness" of the God who saved us (Titus 3:4). But first he wants God's people to remember to live as a contrast community.
We too easily surrender to the charge that the church is full of hypocrites. One prominent evangelical used to answer the charge like this: "Sure, probably so. Come on and join us. You'll feel right at home." But hypocrisy has no place in the church. Those who were once ungodly must be reminded to walk as Jesus walked.
SERMON ACTIVITY
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