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.

Titus 3: 1-2

Last week I heard a sermon that borrowed a line from “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – “You’d better be good for goodness sake!” And so, I looked up the reference for that phrase and learned ‘for goodness sake’ was originally used literally, meaning for the sake of everything good or pure or decent or honest.”

In the verses above, Paul instructs Titus to remind the local church fo the importance of being good for the sake of the LORD, who is the definition of all that is good and holy.

• Under an authoritarian government, Christians were to be followers of the law and good citizens (as long as they weren’t asked to compromise their beliefs and convictions for God.
• We are to be obedient and ready to do what is good. What does that look like for you today?
• We are to be good as we communicate with others. We don’t slander others. We don’t pick fights.
• We are to be known as kind and gentle and loving people who extend courtesy to all people. We don’t favor one person over another.

When you hear Bing Crosby or Bruce Springsteen sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” this Christmas season give some thought about what it means to truly be good.