Titus 3: Hope for Change

Titus 3English Standard Version (ESV)

3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

 3 For 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.

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

I want to be more like the person at the beginning and end of this passage- gentle, obedient, devoted to good works. Some days by God's grace I see these fruits of heart change- looking outside myself and loving others. But at other times, instead of showing "perfect courtesy to all people" I identify more with verse 3- foolish, enslaved by worthless pleasures, and because of my selfishness, hating others, even those closest to me. Strong words, I know, but in those moments of irritability my sin is revealed.

I'm thankful that God brought this passage to mind last night when I was in a foul mood. Not so I could wallow in how miserable I am but because of the "but" in verse 4.  This is the heart of gospel grace in the life of a Christian. Because of God's goodness and loving kindness we are saved. Thankfully our salvation has nothing to do with our good works but is because of his mercy. A mercy that is shown to us in his plan to send Jesus Christ to be our perfect sacrifice. As part of that salvation our hearts are washed, regenerated, and renewed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not a limited resource, but is "poured out on us richly." This is how we are empowered to live changed lives- repenting of our sin, depending on our gracious Savior's finished work for us, and in grateful response choosing to show love to others.

In this season where I am at times confounded by all of the contradictions I see in myself and the world: peace vs. chaos, rest vs. frenetic activity, giving vs. selfishness, I am thankful that I can trust in this "trustworthy saying" and have hope for change day by day.