GRATITUDE FOR GOD'S GRACE
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7 (NIV)
Those are some harsh accusations. When I first read those, I thought to myself, gosh, I'm not that bad, am I? And if I am, I surely don't want to stop and think about it. When I reflect further, though, and if I'm honest with myself, I can relate to each of the charges listed in this passage. I haven't been as foolish as I could be, but there have been countless times I've lacked wisdom. I'm not as disobedient as I could be, but I've certainly not obeyed all of God's commands. I'm not as enslaved to passions and pleasures as some other people I know, but it's true that I am deceived (more often than I'd like to admit) into thinking those things will somehow satisfy me. I envy other people's stuff, and surely, I can admit I don't love everyone as I should. Ugh. I guess those things are true. The reality is, in one way or another, in one degree or another, we are all guilty of all those charges. As Scripture says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NIV), and as such, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a NIV). There's no escaping it. Humanity is broken. We are broken.
Here's where the good news comes in. His name is Jesus. If we go back to the passage, we not only find out about who we are, but we quickly discover the nature and character of God. He is kind and full of love. He saves us. He cleanses us (of sin and filth and dirt and all the stuff we hate about ourselves). He renews us (literally makes us new). And what's more, God does this extravagantly (poured out, not just a drip) and generously (eager, not because He has to).
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:16 (ESV)
APPLICATION: Pause and reflect on the incredible gift of grace freely given through Christ. Because of Him, you now have a place to go with your guilt and shame, you no longer have to be alone, and your life matters more than you know.
PRAYER: God, thank You isn't enough to say for Your gift of love and redemption. When I wander from Your love today, I pray You'll bring me back home to You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?