Choices
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
… he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (Titus 3:5a).
Read Titus 3:1–11
Recently, I have been reading from various sources about the history of the Lutheran Church in Australia. In the early years of settling in South Australia, people who had come from various parts of Germany, seeking freedom to live according to Lutheran teaching, established small communities with vegetable gardens and helped one another. They had a common goal. It is like Pastor August Kavel, as their leader, encouraged the living out of the first and second verses of our reading for today. Yes, difficulties and then splits came later – but that is always the challenge of life, isn’t it?
Today’s reading is another call to discipleship. Do you recognise and acknowledge your inclination to be selfish and self-centred? If we don’t, we are in trouble. But if we do, gratitude rises for the Lord’s mercy to us!
‘He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit …’ (Titus 3:5). Rebirth and renewal. What does that say to you? Is it a ‘once-off’ or ‘walking in it every day’ for you? Are you growing in trusting the Holy Spirit to lead, empower and enable you in the things of each day? To exercise patience, kindness, self-control and the other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23)? Do you remember to ask for his help? In his mercy, he waits to help. Justified by Jesus’ grace, we are made heirs with him. It’s the ‘now, but not yet’ tension. In and through Jesus, we have received, and now we get to walk in what we have received. That changes our perspective.
What is unprofitable, and what is useful? We make these choices every day. Yet we are so easily distracted. As we mature, each of us is responsible for our choices. Are we doing what the Spirit says is good, or not?
Abba Father, by your Spirit, help us to grow in Jesus – to live in ways that honour him as he honoured you. Give us the courage to recognise anything in us that dishonours him. Change our hearts and renew our minds, day by day. Amen.
Ruth lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her husband, Steen. Peritoneal dialysis at night is now their settled ‘new normal’. Ruth says, ‘It is in the challenges of life where we grow in recognising the Lord’s enabling and faithfulness. Like the psalmist, we grow in knowing the goodness of the Lord’s love and his great mercy. All praise be to him!’
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
