Devoted to Good Works - Titus 3.14
"And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful."
Though this is not the point of the verse, the first thing that caught my mind was "our people." Paul claims those in these churches as his own, his kin. Sometimes it is hard to believe I have kinship with my heroes, family claim on those who lead with a burning, compassionate, holy light. But we are one family, following the footsteps of the elder brother Christ, and I am one of them.
Second, people must "learn" to devote themselves to good works. Paul understands that devoting oneself to others, to endless, toilsome, loving favors and not keeping count of them, is not innate in us. Paul tells us to learn, and this is best taught by practice, no?
Devote–according to the Free Online Dictionary, "To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person. […] To set apart by or as if by a vow or solemn act; consecrate." Entirely given to good works, set apart for them, not for our own glory, our own salvation, our own reputation, but to "help cases of urgent need." God's compassion is evident, for his people are to give themselves entirely to good works which help those in need. Here rings much of the Old Testament, too, with its cries to help the poor, the unjustly oppressed, the helpless. God's children are to show compassion to those in need, a compassion that leads to action, that takes the burdens of the helpless and makes them one's own.
And this is the fruit of God, to have helped those with urgent need. This is what delights him; this is what his children are called to. Yet in my life, where is this fruit? I help others by babysitting, lending my car, and listening; yet I would say that the majority of my life is spent on myself. The largest portions of my time, my energy, and my attention go to my own pursuits; such, I have been taught, is my right, for they are my own.
Baloney. I have been saved by God, and given myself to Him–entirely. Therefore my time is not my own, my energy has always been a gift from Him, and my attention is something he may always demand. God, I do believe I am called to fulfill my responsibilities, those things that take most of my attention and energy; I confess to my shame that I often do them with a complaining heart. But as I ask you to change that, I also ask you to turn my life, that I devote myself to good works, furthering the gospel by helping those in need, and giving myself entirely to be fruitful in your eyes. May I watch for the good works you have prepared beforehand for me (Eph. 2.10); may I act them, follow through on them, for I currently do not. Change me to obey your will, delight in your plan, and see your hand, in the name of Christ, amen.