Titus 3:3-8 (NLT)
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Paul thought this kind of teaching was essential for we need to be reminded that we too used to be lost, but in Christ Jesus by His grace and mercy we have been changed. The change in us should prompt us to always be ready to do good works. Let's look at how we used to be: foolish, disobedient, misled, slaves to lusts and pleasures, full of evil and envy, and hatred. After we were saved, He washed away all our sins, gave us a new birth and a new life, and poured out His spirit on us through Jesus. Now, we are declared righteous and have the confidence of eternal life.
All of that and we did nothing to deserve it...not one righteous deed for there was no righteous deed in us. Now we have the opportunity to do good. Scripture says our good deeds were prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. It also says that when we know to do good and choose not to, it is sin. Sometimes it's hard and we don't want to choose to do good. It is easy to revert back to our old ways. Jesus came that we might walk in a better way...the best way. I challenge us today (and I am right there with you), are we choosing to do what is good? Do we look at the world around us through the love of Christ realizing that except for the grace of God, we used to be just that lost. Or do we scoff and go our way? Let's be looking out for doors of opportunity today! Someone is going to need to be loved like Jesus loves them! In Christ, that love is waiting to overflow from you!
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