Christmas Devotion

Sunday, January 4, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Titus 3:4–7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (NRSV)

Reflection

The Apostle Paul considered Titus to be his “true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4). Titus perfectly represents God’s inclusive love for all through the life and message of Christ. Titus was a gentile and became one of Paul’s most trusted companions in ministry. That this “outsider” is entrusted by Paul to organize the church in Crete is important. Remember that Paul, formerly Saul, was among the most zealous persecutors of early Christians. He also had the “family name” that represented an important position in his faith tradition.

The entire letter was to assist Titus in instructing the young church in Crete about how to survive in a world of liars, false prophets, and conflicting understandings of religious traditions. This included guidance on how to choose honest and upright leaders who understood the message of the Christ and who weren’t distracted by those who wanted to use the Gospel of Christ for their own power rather than God’s purpose.

We are reminded in these verses from Chapter 3 that Christ saved us, not because of anything we had done, but according to the mercy of God. We are reminded that God’s spirit has been poured out on us through Christ and that, having been justified by grace, we might become heirs to eternal life (Titus 3:7). Verses before and after these verses discuss how misguided humans can be and how easily we can be influenced by the world’s values. 

How we respond to God’s love through Christ matters. Works don’t provide salvation, but perhaps our works can be or should be guided by Christ’s inclusive message of how to treat one another, how to serve one another, and how to treat those who are treated as “others.”  

Prayer

God of Inclusive Love, help me to continually monitor my works and words that all may be to the glory of your name. In the name of Christ, the perfecter of our faith. Amen.

Written by Robert Sinclair, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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