Successful Rehab

There are many times when I read verses in the Bible that I wonder how could God have patience for us, how could he reach out in mercy and rescue us. The verses we read today are an example of that. Listen to these words.

Remind all to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling , to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, and hating one another.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God, our saviour appeared, Christ Jesus saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus  3:1–7

What a list of ugly things that were told we once were: foolish disobedient, slaves to passions and pleasures, filled with quarreling and envy, despicable and hating one another. We see that in the world around us, but we see that in our own hearts as well, don’t we?

How wonderful is it then that our loving God in his goodness and loving kindness, sent Jesus Christ to be our savior, and thankfully not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.

We need God‘s Holy Spirit poured out on us richly again today. We need the cleansing and forgiving and healing that comes through God‘s generous grace. It’s ours for the asking, because of the great gift of the Lord Jesus in offering his life in punishment for our sins on the cross.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you take us as we are, but you don’t leave us as we are. We want to turn away from the evil and the disobedience and the ugly emotions that we live in so often.

We want to turn to you, you who are full of goodness and loving and kindness. We want to turn to the Lord Jesus who has given his all so we can live in loving a relationship with you and with one another today.

Wash us as you describe in these verses with the water of rebirth. Renew us by your Holy Spirit. Pour out yourself on us richly today your grace so that we can live in the hope of eternal life that you promise each of us. Amen.

I don’t know about you, but I am filled with gratitude that I have experienced this amazing transformation that God has worked in my heart time and time and time again.

How do we need God to pour out his mercy and forgiveness on us today? Let’s make our day better by giving him the opportunity to do that.