Scripture:
Titus 3:3-7
3 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.4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 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, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Observation:
Paul reminds Titus that every believer used to be lost. That every church person used to live a life apart from God that was defined by all types of emptiness and darkness. In vs. 4 Paul uses the word, “but”. Though this was the way of life before Christ, when He appeared and revealed himself to them, lives changed. Why? Not because of behavior shifts and personal sacrifices by the people. Instead believers are saved by His mercy, by the working of His Spirit, by the power and presence of Jesus and by the justifying power of his grace.
Application:
Three things…
-Don’t forget where I came from. Apart from Jesus my life was dark and empty. There is no romancing the old way of life. It was broken and depraved. (Remember)
-BUT! This in fact is the greatest message of hope. My life was a mess BUT, God intervened. My new life, my new existence is a result of this moment… BUT! Not a result of me changing my mind or having enough, or coming to my senses. It is because God saw my life, BUT had another plan! (With God there is always a BUT)
-Grace. Grace. God’s Grace. I can never forget his grace is what saved, sustains and leads me to the next step. I would be nowhere without HIS GRACE. May this be my story today and my hope.(My story is Grace)
Prayer:
Father thank you for seeing me in my darkness and changing everything with your grace. Had it not been for you, where would my life be? I am grateful for your mercy, love and grace today.