Wednesday 6 November, 2013

16 God put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. I am thankful to God for this. 17 Titus welcomed our appeal. He is also excited about coming to you. It was his own idea. 18 Along with Titus, we are sending another brother. All the churches praise him for his service in telling the good news. 19 He was also chosen by the churches to go with us as we bring the offering. We are in charge of it. We want to honor the Lord himself. We want to show how ready we are to help. 20 We want to keep anyone from blaming us for how we take care of that large gift. 21 We are trying hard to do what is right in the Lord’s eyes and in the eyes of people. 22 We are also sending another one of our brothers with them. He has often proved to us in many ways that he is very committed. He is now even more committed because he has great faith in you. 23 Titus is my helper. He and I work together among you. Our brothers are messengers from the churches. They honor Christ. 24 So show them that you really love them. Show them why we are proud of you. Then the churches can see it.

It is striking to me, the description given of the group of people accompanying Paul in the delivery of the offering described here. With particular reference to verse 23, Paul describes those alongside Titus from the churches as an “honour to Christ.” It got me thinking – I want to be so described by my brothers and sisters in Christ like this. Part of what made these men an honour to Christ must have been their trustworthiness in delivering such an important gift as this offering. Further, they are described back in verse 18 as those living in exemplary and praiseworthy “service of the gospel.”

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I want to be an honour to Christ. As such, I have a purpose to orientate myself around – the service of the Gospel. It is refreshing to be reminded – my life, my work, my efforts, my relationships – they are all ultimately meant to be in service of the Gospel. This is a joy – and it causes my life to bring honour to Christ – which is my greatest desire and hope. And in a year where we are, as a church, pressing into “in our going, making disciples,” C3 Church Carlingford is pressing into just such a service of the Gospel.

Lord, help me afresh to live surrender my life to your purpose God, the service of your Gospel. I want to bring you honour, Christ, so help me by your Spirit and grace to bring such an honourable service to you in my daily life.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh