He 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 2:14
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #36: To Create a People Passionate for Good Works. In today's devotion, Piper opens by sharing that "[believers] are forgiven not because we have done good works, but to make us able and zealous to do them....Good deeds are not the foundation of our acceptance, but the fruit of it." The devotion highlights Titus 2:14 as the key verse for the day, then reminds us that we are saved by grace and our salvation is a gift not something we earn (Ephesians 2:8-9). Ephesians 2:10 echoes Titus 2:14 to share how believers are created by God "for good works." As the devotion continues, Piper then describes how Christ's aim "is not the mere ability to do them, but passion to do them. That’s why the Bible uses the word “zealous.” Christ died to make us “zealous for good works.” Zeal means passion. Christ did not die to make good works merely possible or to produce a halfhearted pursuit. He died to produce in us a passion for good deeds. Christian purity is not the mere avoidance of evil, but the pursuit of good." Piper then connects the devotion back to Easter and Holy Week by stating that "[t]here are reasons why Jesus paid the infinite price to produce our passion for good deeds." Of course, the primary reason is to bring Himself glory through us as Piper points to Matthew 5:16. Believers exist to glorify God and we do this by loving and serving others as God loves and serves us. Going back to Titus 2:14, Piper then describes how believers are redeemed from all lawlessness, particularly how we are freed from "fear, pride, and greed." In so doing, "we are filled with a zeal to love others the way we have been loved. We risk our possessions and our lives since we are secure in Christ. When we love others like this, our behavior is contrary to human self-enhancement and self-preservation." Remaining in Titus by moving to 3:14, Piper concludes the devotion by helping define "good works" as helping those in urgent need.
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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for redeeming me, saving me, and for never leaving or forsaking me. I am not deserving of how You love me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
