Titus 3:1-7

1: Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
2: to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
3: For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
4: But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
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 by the Holy Spirit,
6: whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7: so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

*** 

Paul told Titus to remind the Cretans to be subject to authorities, contrary to their reputation of being aggressive, rebellious, and greedy. He said to remind them to be ready for every good deed, to be peaceable, and gentle.

As Christians, we often need to be reminded of these things, especially when situations arise which tempt us to respond impulsively or emotionally. Before Christ we were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to all kinds of lusts and ungodly desires. Our nature without God is to be envious and hateful, not looking to do good toward others but to selfishly care only for ourselves--using people and situations for our own benefit. This is the nature of one without God prior to salvation.

However, once we accept the kindness of God extended toward us through Jesus Christ, we are washed clean and regenerated in spirit. Not because of our own good deeds, but strictly because of Jesus Christ taking our place—paying the price for our sin so we could be free from it.

Instead of the old nature, we are made new by the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit He poured out in us through Jesus Christ. Now justified, we are heirs of eternal life. We keep the hope alive that Jesus will one day come, and our bodies will be changed into His glorious, incorruptible image (1 Corinthians 15:50-57, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 John 3:2-3).

 

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