Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

2 November 2025

Reading From Titus 3

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

—Titus 3:1-7

     O how we need this godly wisdom from His Word today!  The world would be such a beautiful place if the people of God were ready for every good work rather than fighting one another over things that won’t matter in eternity.  Where should our priorities be?  What matters in eternity?  The decision of an individual to believe, trust, repent, confess and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life is the highest priority for human life on planet Earth.  One who makes that choice is born again; the Spirit of the Living God comes to dwell within them; making them a new creation in Christ Jesus; and inspiring, empowering and working through them to spread the love and message of Jesus and make the world a better place.

     Salvation does not end with the new birth experience.  That is the wondrous beginning.  The follower of Jesus must live out salvation, learning and growing in love and holiness.  “Speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”  The Holy Spirit wrote these words through Paul.  They are living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, cutting through to the heart of any matter.  I needed to read these words today, to have them settle in my heart and mind, and I need to put them into practice.  “For we ourselves were once foolish…” This should bring a healthy measure of humility to my faith journey, my life experience.

     I am called to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”[1]  As I do so, I can be confident that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”[2]  That is the goal of my salvation: perfect unity and harmony with God and His eternal family.  This glorious goal will be met if I endure to the end[3] and I am welcomed into His celestial kingdom.[4]  The three elements of salvation: the life-changing event of the new birth,[5] the purifying and healing process of becoming more like Jesus,[6] and the glorious goal of that heavenly welcome to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb;[7] all three elements must be reality for my salvation to be made complete.[8]  I am justified (made right with God), sanctified (set apart for His purposes and becoming more like Him), and I will be glorified with Him (enjoy perfect unity with Him for eternity).

     I need to slow down and think about what I say before I say it.  Is what I am about to say truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind?  When someone triggers intense emotions within me, I need to slow down and process rather than quarrel.  If I gently communicate, speak the truth in love, then I believe I will have greater success than if I am abrasive.  Unfortunately, Paul the Apostle does not tell me that I only need to be courteous to those who are courteous to me.  I must be perfectly courteous to all people.  God help me.

“Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, be with Your people.  Thank You for Your love freely given us.  Help us to share Your love with others without reservation.  Forgive us of our hangups.  We humbly ask You to guide us as we process through hurts and surrender resentments in order to become the healthy, balanced, loving disciples You call us to be.  We are grateful for the perfect example of life and godliness that Your Son Jesus Christ gave us during His earthly ministry that we now carry on.  Empower us with Your Spirit to do hard things, even hard things that we do not wish to do.  We need Your strength and power to forgive, to let go of all bitterness, and to slow down and think in our daily interactions with others.  I pray all these things in the sweetest Name I know, the Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

—Ephesians 4:31-32

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[1] Philippians 2:12-13

[2] Philippians 1:6

[3] Matthew 24:13

[4] Matthew 25:21

[5] John 3:1-21, I Peter 1:3

[6] I Corinthians 1:18, Hebrews 12:14

[7] Philippians 1:6, Revelation 19:7-10

[8] Colossians 2:9-10