Daily Nugget:
In advising Titus on what he should preach, Paul also defined how a Christian’s new character should be. A Christian should strive not to talk negatively about anyone, not fight with others, be gentle, and be meek (Titus 3:2).
Sometimes people that have been saved for a while agree that the Lord has changed them, but forget how they were before Jesus made a difference in their lives. In verse three, Paul reminds Titus of what we used to do (Titus 3:3). Shamefully, we all must nod our heads in agreement that our sin was great before we were saved. After we were saved, we still are not perfect, but God does change the believer.
These changes in our lives are not our doing. It is not we that did the changing without God’s help. Those who think they are a better person after they are saved because of their own doing are mistaken (Titus 3:25).
Many feel they must “clean up” their lives and then get saved. The problem is we cannot change our natural state ourselves.
We can clean up the outside by looking, talking, and going to places a Christian should go, but that does not give us a Christian’s heart. In most cases, people do not even know what is wrong with them. Only God accurately knows what our “sin illness” is and can heal the “inside” of a person. In most cases, with a changed heart, our “outside” actions will change.
After we are saved, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. After He shows us our weaknesses and iniquities, the Spirit helps us change. He is the one that renovates our heart (“regeneration” — Titus 3:5), usually one sin at a time. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person from a natural state to a spiritual one.
When we submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will change. We will never be perfect until we get to Heaven, but we will not be the person we once were if we obey His guidance.
Today’s Thought:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17
Words to Understand:
Admonition: Reprimand; warning
Heretick: one that believes doctrines that are contrary to what the Word of God states
Magistrates: judge; an authority that enforces laws
Malice: desire to see others suffer
Today’s Reading:
Titus 3
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9 ¶ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
