“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.” (Titus 3:3)
I wonder what kind of response someone would get if he ran with this description of himself for an online dating service.
“I’m looking to make a real connection with someone special. I’m a fool, meaning I make lots of stupid decisions. I’m disobedient. I’m into passion and pleasure in an awkward and ugly way – to the point that I don’t know right from wrong anymore. I’m a slave, really, stuck in the same rut of sin I’ve always been chasing. I hate almost everyone, and I haven’t found many people who don’t hate me, too. Call me!”
The strange thing, though, is God knew our status—and he called us, anyway. Paul wanted Titus to tell the people of Crete to be honest with themselves that they did nothing to earn God’s love. We are not good without him. But because he loved us first and is powerful enough to change us, we can be transformed.
How? Come back tomorrow.
Think: How do you feel about the Bible’s teaching that human beings are not good on our own apart from God? If God didn’t love you because of what you had to offer him, why did he call you to trust in Christ?
Pray: Thank God for sending Jesus to die for your sins even before you wanted to be saved.
Do: Make a quick list describing how we can live now through the power of God’s Holy Spirit with us – by writing down the opposite of every item in today’s verse.