Titus 3:3-8

I learned so much through The Most Excellent Way ministry.  When I started attending the meetings, they had two meetings a week, one on Tuesday’s, and one on Friday’s. 

Through the meetings, I learned life, Biblical application.  There are several, several scriptures the Lord used to bring revelation and healing to a broken, wounded heart.

One scripture, in particular, is Titus 3:3-8. 

 

“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 loved of God our Savoir 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 Savoir, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  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.”

 

Many will read these scriptures and think “that has nothing to do with me because I’m not a drunk, or a drug addict,” so if that is your mind set, let me say, “shame on you!” 

Are you a sinner?  Let’s be more specific….

Have you ever been foolish or made foolish decisions?

Are you obedient to the Lord, in everything?

What are you enslaved to?  Pleasure doesn’t necessarily mean pleasure here.  You think it’s a pleasure puking your guts up from drinking too much day after day after day and have black out moments?  Is is pleasure when we gamble our last penny on ‘the big win?”  Is is pleasure for our families to fall apart because we put the world before Him?  We are deceived by what the world tells us is pleasure. 

My favorite word in these particular scriptures is ‘but.’  The word ‘but’ means “except for the fact <would have protested but that he was afraid>; used after a negative <there is no doubt but he won>.  Basically, it ‘undoes’ what the previous words state.

So lets reread the scriptures with emphasis on the word ‘but,’ and see if it changes our perspective.

Titus 3:3-8

“At one time we (Stacey) too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We (I) lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  (Boy did and was I!)

 BUT, when the kindness and loved of God our Savoir appeared(was shown to Stacey), he (Jesus Christ) saved us, not because of righteous things we (Stacey) had done, but because of his (Jesus Christ’s) mercy.  He saved us (Stacey) through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us (Stacey) generously through Jesus Christ our Savoir, so that, having been justified by his grace, we (Stacey) might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying and I want you to stress these things so that those who have trusted in God (this is where I/you/we testify by our actions of HIS grace!) may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”

**Sigh** I’m thankful for a time of reflecting this morning. 

;)