Session 7
Don’t throw your influence under the bus
From Titus: An 8-Day Devotional
How dare they.
They threw you under the bus, again. You have always been nice to them, going out of your way to help them with their work when they fall short. You even invited them to church a few times because you heard them proclaim their disbelief in God.
See if I ever try to help you out again. You could use some God in your life. Unbelievable.
Pause! It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking about nonbelievers that way, but it’s so far from the way God has instructed us to be.
We can all use a reminder like the one Paul gave Titus: God’s people should be big-hearted and courteous because it wasn’t too long ago we were just like the unbelievers we are now outraged by. The transformation that comes from salvation is not at all based on our own works but is from God’s grace. A heart that has been changed by grace exhibits humility and gentleness—the same gentleness God shows to us.
A heart that has been changed by grace exhibits humility and gentleness.
A relationship with Jesus is the primary difference between believers and non-believers. As Christians, the conviction we feel about right and wrong comes from having the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We did not earn our relationship with God, so it shouldn’t make us feel entitled. In fact, it should do the opposite. When we realize just how undeserving we are and the magnitude of Jesus’ gift of salvation through His death and resurrection, we aren’t able to judge anyone else. Instead, our hearts long for them to experience the freedom and security we have stepped into.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Reflect:
- What are you trusting in for your salvation, your goodness or God’s grace? If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, you can do it today.
- Is there someone you need to show grace to today?
- What is one way you can show that person grace?