Even in the Little Things

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV).

COVID-19… a scourge from the devil or a gift from God? Just asking such a question may certainly elicit a multitude of response that would range from the absolute confirmation for either the devil or God. There would also likely be many people who would fall between those two with answers targeting “the fallen nature of the world” to simple chance. Let me make a suggestion to resolve this conundrum. It doesn’t matter whose “fault” it is. It only matters who is in power to work good from it all… and that One is our God! Once we get past blaming someone for our plight, regardless of what it is we are set free to rest in the unshakeable grace of God. Our reading today speaks to this with a clear call to “good works” (v. 14). I am not suggesting that we can save ourselves by being good. We are only saved by “Christ crucified … the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). That is the plain truth. The Scripture cannot be clearer at this point. However, we cannot either deny that we are saved so that we can do good to others. The meme with a quote from Steve Maraboli reminded me of that truth today. Jesus gave himself “to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” He did that not just for his own sake, and surely not just for our sake. It was also for the world’s sake. Before the world will believe in Jesus, it needs an epiphany, a revealing of the reality of God. God has already given the world one epiphany: “The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” That was the first coming of Jesus. And God will give the world another epiphany: “We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” That’s the second coming of Jesus. Between those two epiphanies, there is an ongoing epiphany, the one for which Jesus gave up his life, to create a people who are eager to do good. But, we’re under orders to shelter in place! I hear you, though we have not reached that point in our county of residence yet. Our bordering counties to the east have; and, Mary and I are self isolating going our only for essential tasks. However, that does not mean we cannot be creative in the expression of a kindness to others. Perhaps it’s just a note. We have the world at our fingertips through the internet. Use it for the expression of kindness rather than the excoriation of those who differ with our point-of-view. Imagine what a phone call or text of kindness and grace might do for someone who is terrified in these difficult days! As we look forward to Good Friday and Easter next month, let us do good, even if it is but a “little thing.”