WE WERE ALL IN THIS BOAT
TITUS 3:1-6
TITUS 3:1-6 NKJ
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Paul has not stopped with the Christian character theme in his letter to Titus. He starts with a reminder for the believers to be subject to rulers and authorities. To obey to be ready for every good work. Please note that many of the rulers and authorities Paul was referring to were an ungodly difficult group.
He then gives a directive that is very clear. Speak evil of no one. Be peaceable gentle, and humble to all men.
Now, if this is a hard pill to swallow, Paul gives the best motivation for obeying. We were all once foolish, disobedient, deceived, and the list goes on. In bondage to various lusts and pleasures. Living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. And this was written before social media was ever a thing. We can be kind and humble and not speak or post evil about others because we were once messed up ourselves in at least one of these areas. But we have received kindness, God's love, and mercy. We earned nothing. God did this for us because of His character and nature, not because we were so good. Even when we were up to our eyeballs in sin, envy, hate, unkindness, lusts, etc. etc. God sent Jesus. He did not blast us; He saved us. Now we can be merciful and kind to others.
APPLICATION:
When I got out of Bible school many years ago, Joy and I and an infant Matt lived with my parents for a few months. My Father and I had similar personalities, so we could lock horns at times. I recall being angry at him for something he said and mentally telling him off, when the Holy Spirit reminded me of this passage. I have also been foolish, disobedient, and pretty much checked off that list. And the Lord by His Spirit spoke to my heart. No voice, just an impression that my righteousness did not exceed my father’s. If it was not for the grace of God, I would be in bad shape. And my Bible school degree did not give me the license to be critical.
Ouch! And that's a lesson I must periodically remind myself of. We were all in the same boat once. Thank God for His love and kindness and salvation poured out on us through Jesus.
PRAYER:
Forgive me, Father God, for thinking of myself in the wrong way. I am in no condition to be critical and judgmental of others. I have lived in that same condition and done some of the same things. Thank You for mercy.