Today's reading is Paul's letter to Titus. A short little letter packed full of instruction. I am always amazed at how much teaching Paul, through the Spirit can pack into a paragraph. So, today I want to unpack Titus 3:3-8...
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. The saying is trustworthy,
and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God
may be careful to
devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for
people.
Sometimes being reminded of our past is useful. Sure, it can bring on feelings of guilt, even shame when we consider some of the things that we were involved in. But Paul uses our pasts to highlight what our present condition looks like in comparison. In the past, I was "foolish", yep; "disobedient", for sure; "led astray", check; "slaves to my passions and pleasures", you got it; "malice and envy", been there, done that; "hated and hating", true that. The mirror doesn't lie, before I met Jesus and made Him Lord and Master of my life, it was all about me. I did things that I now regret. You were probably in the same boat, involved with the wrong people, doing the wrong things; if not, you are fortunate. Paul wants us to take a moment and consider who we were, what we did and the outcome of such conduct. So, let's do that.... (take a moment and think on the matter)
When the scriptures throw in a "but", it is usually a very good thing and in this case Paul gives us a "but" that changes everything. He says this is how you once were, but... this is how you are now. He says when Jesus appeared, (the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior), HE saved us! That is good news! We once were lost, but now we are found; we once were blind, but now we see... (thanks John Newton). He changed everything! Paul wants us to understand that it is not our goodness, our acts of kindness that save us; it is God's rich mercy. He tells us that this all occurs at our "washing of regeneration" and ""renewal of the Holy Spirit". (see Acts 2:38) It is not an accomplishment of ours, rather Paul tells us that we are "justified" by His grace. It is His unmerited favor that we get through Jesus!
What is our reaction to this mercy, this grace? We are to devote ourselves to good deeds. As "heirs" according to the hope of eternal life, we are to start living like His children. The past was focused on ourselves and what we want, as renewed people we begin focusing on what God wants and He wants us to show His mercy, His grace to those around us by doing good deeds. He says "these things are excellent and profitable for people". Not only is doing good the response to His grace, doing good is to our profit. It benefits others, but it also brings a return to us. I don't know how all that works, but this I know, when I focus on the needs of others and serve them, I always receive a blessing. My life is enriched, I am encouraged as I encourage others.
How are you doing in all this? Have you considered where you were before Him and where you are now? Has the result of God's mercy been the outpouring of good deeds in your life? Have you changed from a "it's all about me person" to a "it's all about God and people" person? At the Wilkesboro church, our mission statement is simple and easy to learn... "Love God and Love People"; this fulfills the commands of God. If you are still trapped in "me", God has grace and mercy waiting on you. If you have forgotten where you came from and have slipped back into your former life, Paul says take a moment and reflect on these things and get busy doing good deeds. God expects change. He paid our debt, but He expects change. May He bless you in the doing of it!
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