This morning I read through Paul's letter to Titus, which being all of three chapters is an easy read. Paul covers quite a bit in those three short chapters, but in chapter 3 he provides a very nice summation of the Gospel. Here are the verses - Titus 3:3-8 NIV:
[3] "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. [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] 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, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [8] This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."
There is much one could say, but really Paul pretty much nails it. We all have been, or are presently in the state of confusion that Paul describes in verse 3. None of us was ever worthy of salvation or forgiveness, yet because of the kindness, mercy and love of God, shown to us in Jesus, and through His death and sacrifice, forgiveness was extended to us all, everyone.
It is up to us to enter into salvation, through faith. When we do accept the fact that we need Him, and enter into relationship with Him, our lives are changed. We experience a washing and renewal that only can occur through the power of the Holy Spirit released fully into our lives. It is this seal (2 Cor 1:22), which is our promise of our future heavenly inheritance that brings us peace and joy (Rom 15:13). In addition, we get to experience some of that inheritance here on earth, as we are invited to experience the same things that Jesus did here on earth - as Jesus described here in John 14:12 NIV: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
It is because of this great gift available to us all, and accepted by those of us who enter in through faith, that we are encouraged to devote ourselves to expressing gratitude through our lives. We are invited to do good, to love, to show mercy and compassion, to reflect back to the world that which we were shown and experienced in Christ Jesus. These things really are excellent and profitable for us all, everyone of us. As we extend these truths to the world, to those who have yet to understand the grace and mercy available to them in Christ Jesus, they will see we are different and set free from the pursuits of the world, and our lives are full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-25).
Our lives are meant to shine for God's glory (1 Cor 10:31), and that Glory is revealed in His Son Jesus (Heb 1:3), and we are His Body here on earth (1 Cor 12:12-27)! Let us think on these things and allow these truths to change the way we act and respond to the world around us. We were, at one time, in the same state as many in the world and God extended love and kindness to us, so let us do the same.
Amen!
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