READING: Titus 2-3, Philemon, Hebrews 1-5
The gospel is amazingly transforming. In fact, I could write for hours about lives I’ve seen that God has completely changed through the gospel—including my own parents. In many cases, the change is so great you cannot explain it apart from Christ’s work. Because of grace, who we were is no longer who we are.
Here’s the way the apostle Paul described it in his letter to Titus. Prior to meeting Christ, “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). It’s hard to deny the desperate state of non-believers when Paul’s multiple phrases just pile up our condition apart from Christ.
But . . .
Paul continues, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us” (Titus 3:4-5a). We were not worthy of His grace, but He still saved us “according to His own mercy” (Titus 3:5). He saved us because He is good and loving.
I ask you to join me today in regularly praying this prayer: “Thank You, Lord, for still changing lives–including mine.”
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
PRAYER: “Father, remind me who I was before You convicted and changed me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Hebrews 6-10