Our Past is Gone

SCRIPTURE

Titus 3:3 ¶ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.
Titus 3:4 ¶ But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.
Titus 3:7 He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life. NLT

OBSERVATION

Have you ever viewed at an old photograph of yourself and felt embarrassed because of the way you looked? If you are like me you may have wondered how anyone could let themselves dress and look that way.
Verse 3 is like an old picture of you and me before Christ took up residence in our lives. We weren’t a pretty sight.
The next few verses, (4-7) however, reveal that God has set himself to do an extreme make over for all those who will respond to His kindness and love. He begins to transform them from the inside out. He pours His Spirit into them and the process of change begins. Old things pass away and new things begin to appear (2 Corinthians 5:17) Gradually, if not suddenly, we begin to look different. Our attitude changes, our actions are altered, our motives become pure and our lives are filled with a new purpose. Just think, all this happens because of God’s kindness and love. It didn’t have anything to do with our goodness or performance. Thank you Jesus for salvation.

APPLICATION

I don’t plan on throwing my old embarrassing pictures away any time soon. (Yes I have some old albums with many - not so pretty pictures) I am making a conscious decision to keep them! Why, you may ask? Because when I look at my past, I remember where I came from and that creates a gratefulness for how far I have come. It tells me that change is possible.
I will not forget my B.C. days either because they remind me of God’s great love for me.
I may not be what I ought to be but I sure am not what I use to be - All because of His kindness and love. Romans 5:8

PRAYER

Jesus, I thank you for your grace and love. It is you kindness and mercy that has changed me. May I look more like you as I continue to grow in your holiness. You are beautiful.