but thanks be to God, who put into the heart of titus the same earnest care I have for you. for he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. with him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. we take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. and with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. as for titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. and as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. so give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. [2 corinthians 8:16-24]
good works. prepared by God, given to his children, to be done as a body, to be done before men, to the glory and praise of Christ. as the bride of Christ, God has chosen each of us before the foundation of the world to reflect his glory through the blood of his Son. this is what paul is longing for the churches to do together, united in Spirit, caring for the body in jerusalem, for the purpose of showing the world the glory of the gospel.
as part of the body of Christ in st. charles, missouri, we have such a great opportunity to carry out these same great works of God through generosity and gospel ministry! the harvest is ripe in st. charles county, or whatever county you live in, and we are the harvest workers. the question is,
how is God calling you to be sent for gospel ministry in the community around you?
not a question of if, not a question of when, because those answers are yes, and now! but if our heart is filled with good will and generosity and earnestness and love, like paul, like titus, and like the brothers, we should be asking how soon? how many opportunities today? who can i bless? looking and asking for opportunity to show generosity and share the gospel of Christ.
today, as you sit in the presence of the One who has poured out grace and mercy toward you, his beloved, ask him to put into you the same earnest care that he gave paul and titus. love for the church, love for the lost, and love for his gospel, to the praise of his glorious grace!
~arwen eastman