I Used to Be All these Things

Scripture: For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. Titus 3:3

Observation: As Paul continues to teach Titus about how to instruct the people of Crete, he takes a moment to explain that all these changes are very, very possible. He uses himself as the example. Yes, improvement came not by doing better things, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit poured out on him through faith. However, look at what Paul - and all other believers - used to be, by his own words.

Internally in his thoughts, Paul was foolish, disobedient, deceived, and hateful. These manifested in external behaviors ... enslaved to passions and bodily pleasure, acting daily with malice and envy, and actually detesting others.

In short, Paul was ...

Application: ... me.

I used to be all these things. On bad, weak days, I still am some of them though to a lesser degree. I can be a disobedient fool. I can pursue the wrong passions and desire pleasure. Every once in a while, I am envious of what others have. And I can certainly detest some people, even those within the body of believers.

We know how Paul behaved before he believed. He boasted of his great knowledge and intellect, and believing that faith in Jesus contradicted and threatened his life's work he literally hunted believers for the purpose of seeing their literal death. Maybe I never tried to participate in someone's death, but certainly I was no better. So it is amazing to read the truth today ... that the Lord himself has granted me this new life, "according to his mercy".

This is not because I am now 'good', for as I just said, I can still be a foolish sinner daily, and I am very clearly not like Paul in the level of active commitment I show to Jesus. However, like Paul, I am a changed man. I am certainly not deceived anymore. I am not enslaved anymore. Though I can be critical, I am not hateful of others.

I desire to continue to get better and better in the eyes of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. I do not desire this for personal benefit, but rather to simply help to see the kingdom of God on earth to the degree we can have it here. If I am a Cretan - and if I am as Paul was - may I take heed of the instructions given to Titus.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your grace and mercy, for I know that you chose to save my life in so many ways. You have given me a life of fulness and joy. Again today I ask for more of your spirit, and for your hand as I strive to walk on your path. May I love others today in your name, and with a soft heart. Amen.