Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=titus%201-3&version=NIV
Most Christians have experiences in the past that we’d like to forget. There was that time in life where sin sucked you in like quicksand leaving you stuck there until you were rescued. You couldn’t swim your way out, all you could do was grab on to the vine of Life that dropped down from heaven and allow yourself to be pulled out of the pit of sin. Once you were rescued and all cleaned up, your first reaction was probably to try to forget about that horrible place and hide that time of life away in shame.
But Titus 3:3-7 reminds us that we should never forget where we came from:
“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.” Titus 3:3-7 (NIV)
God rescued us because of his unconditional love and mercy. His plan for our lives includes using our pain and our past. Our past is part of our testimony. It is a reminder of how gracious and merciful our God is. When we consider the depth of the mercy and grace that we have received, it can motivate us to share some of that mercy and grace with others. When we remember that we were rescued out of that pit of sin because of his grace, and not because of our own righteousness or goodness, we are able to receive others with love and compassion rather than with judgment and contempt.
He rescued us through the gift of Jesus Christ and gave us hope for eternal life. We didn’t earn it; we don’t deserve it; and we should never forget it. Take time to celebrate what He’s done for you in your life. Share your story with others so that they can have the hope in eternal life too!
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
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Ok---Here I go again--->Sorry for covering this wonderful portion of Titus for perhaps the 3rd(or so) time during this study.
ReplyDeleteI once heard Titus 3:5 discussed in the following terms, and I will never forget it!!---->3:5--->He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
**The middle part of the word regeneration is the word gene. We are born into sin;therefore, we have the DNA of Satan from the word go. Only GOD can wash us, regenerate us, and renew us.
**As Jeremiah teaches us, all we have to do in order to receive mercy, is to face/admit our faults, and attempt to change our behavior and actions. We cannot try to hide our sin.
Only GOD can wash us and change our DNA from that of Satan to the DNA of Jesus Christ.
**Thank you JESUS!!
**Thank you that my name is already written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
**Thank you that my NEW NAME is written on the white stone(per the Revelation of Jesus)...
Peace and Love!!!