Titus 3: 3-7 - At
one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and
enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy,
being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and
love of God our Savior appeared, he
saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by
the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously
through Jesus Christ our Savior , so
that, having been justified by his grace, we might become
heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Paul was given such a gift with words…it it so amazing how
he paints a beautiful picture of what happens to us when we are washed in God’s
love. The old foolish person….so deceived
by the world’s passion and pleasures is transformed by the powerful love of
Jesus’ death on the cross and the embodiment of the Holy Spirit in our heart. God’s mercy sees us at our worst…and calls us
to a new life…then his kindness overtakes our old harden hearts. His kindness
draws us into a relationship with God that gives us the power to leave the
world and its passions behind.
Like any good relationship…we have a tendency to take what
we need and not be faithful to God every day.
Our power to stay strong and allow the kindness God planted in our
hearts to blossom into good deeds is hampered by just how much time we spend
with the father. I have to admit that I am still foolish many days…allowing
Satan to trick me into some crazy worldly thought. The ME disease I suffer from
wins many days….it convinces me the few minutes I spend at night reading the
bible…the hour it takes me to write these devotionals…it tells me that is good…that
I have done enough.
But the good works stuff…. that Paul talks about in verse 14….it
is the proof to the rest of the world…proof to even our own hearts… that God truly
controls our hearts. He says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to
doing what is good, in order that they may provide for
daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” We should be so
compelled to ‘do what is good’…that we begin to see the needs of others as more
important than ourselves…I am sure it is the cure for the ME disease.
Father…I thank you that you love me…that you sent Jesus to
save me from myself. I thank you that
you are my best friend and that I have the best role model in the world to
pattern my life after. Forgive me Lord for allowing the world to trick me into
thinking that I deserve anything. Help me
to accept your mercy…your grace….anew this morning….and ask you to wash all the
ME right back out of my heart. Replace
the foolish person that struggles to find a middle ground and stay partially in
the world…with a new creature …ruled by your kindness and love…finally able to
see the hurts of others that compelled you to die on that cross and save us
all. Amen.
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