A Maturing Church is Ready

Has there ever been a time in your life where you just didn't feel
ready? Maybe something or someone caught you off guard or you just
didn't prepare well. Christians are to be prepared for every good
work that God has in store for them. Preparation comes through
understanding the Gospel. As Paul is wrapping up his letter to
Titus he begins to insist that Titus pay attention to the conduct,
service and obedience of the people in the church. He exhorts the
church to be ready for every good work. A church that is maturing
will grow in it's readiness to do good work as a natural response
to the good work that God has done in them. When the church is
maturing there will be a willingness to obey God and His commands,
community will flourish, the testimony of the church will be bright
and people will be changed. But this change is not the result of
trying harder or humanistic effort. Maturity to readiness happens
when a church is gripped by the Gospel and the extravagant love of
God.