Notes
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:11-14
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
Revelation 19:7-9
We are living in the middle - between Jesus’ ascension and His return. The Bible paints this picture for us so that we will have the courage and compassion (living valorously) in this time of waiting. God’s connection to His people is compared to a marriage; He is the groom and we, the Church, are the bride. And right now, we are living in the time between the groom’s proposal and the wedding day that is promised.
1. Being valorous starts with accepting the proposal
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12
A person of valor understands who has proposed to them and who they belong to. Grace is God’s proposal, and when we truly understand that we will live with trust and confidence in Him. We belong to the King; He sets us apart. Valorstarts with knowing who we are in Jesus: His bride for whom He died to show His love and resurrected as one to follow.
2. Being valorous means seeing potential
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings, she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Proverbs 31:16-18
It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer a great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 3:7-16
Those of us who have accepted God’s proposal of love and grace have been given the responsibility of sharing who Jesus is, to plant the seed of the Good News, and use our varying gifts to water that seed. Our mission is to be fruitful and multiply, to bring others into the Kingdom.
3. Being valorous means looking forward
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Proverbs 31:30-31
There is a goal to work toward and a reward that is coming for fighting the good fight. Don’t let the temporary things of this world keep you from living out your God-given purpose. Stay focused on what we know the future holds.
Group Questions
- What does it mean to be living in the middle?
- What is God’s proposal and what does accepting it mean for us?
- What are your gifts, and how can you use them to be fruitful for the kingdom?
- What is “the good fight”?
Prayer
Thank you for the promise of your return. We are living in the in-between so that we can plant seeds so more people may come to know you. Nurture the gifts you have given us and show us the ways we can use them for your mission.