The Contrast.  Titus 3.3-8

“Faith that is alive produces a desire to please God which translates into love for others, humility, and a servant’s heart.  I believe when God looks at you and me and says ‘Be good’, he is saying ‘stay close to me, obey me, and I’ve got this!’”  ‘A takeaway out of last Morning Briefing from Titus. http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1334

From my tiny office writing space, I have since spun out 18 briefings on those things that affect our ability to stay close, trust, and obey our loving God—understanding that God speaks to his children today, discerning his voice among the others in our heads, ferreting out his thoughts from our thoughts, handling the thoughts that plague us and tear us down, purposing to think higher¹, better thoughts, and finally, apprehending truths about pray-ers from the Bible so that we can see breakthrough answers to our prayers right here, right now.  (aka ‘What are you Circling?’ http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1349 )  All 18 briefings and many more may be accessed at Pastorwoman website.

Now … a prayer –

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,?For all the benefits thou hast won for me,?For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,?

May I know thee more clearly,?

Love thee more dearly,? And follow thee more nearly:?For ever and ever.1?  Amen.

We get to know the Lord Jesus Christ through the gospel accounts, and also the brilliant teachings of Paul, who I love, revere and appreciate so very much. Paul, a hard-headed, hard-hearted Jew, who was converted when Jesus stepped into his path one day, really got the human condition, as he never forgot how he had been radically transformed. 

Writing to Titus, he talks about the contrast of life before Christ and then life in Christ:

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.

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3.3-8

Last night, at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a college freshman home for Spring break, shared his heart with a group of young people.  The high school students were eager to hear about college life in Texas and what faith lived out might be like in the dorms and living far away from the watchful eye of parents and the safety net of home.  Funny thing is, most of what he talked about was the matter of sin, and his own coming to terms with it.  Some of the students looked at him, as would a confused puppy, turning his chin to the side—they just weren’t there yet, in their own experience with God.  Yet they gave him their undivided attention. A former lacrosse standout and very well liked high school student, he has had to hammer out his own Christian faith outside of home, as Christ had no place in his otherwise loving family. Indeed, all serious followers of Jesus have to hammer out their own faith—searching the Scriptures, talking with God, and in the back-and-forth with others on the same journey.

Quite frankly, the whole matter of sin is an interesting discussion in almost any setting; folks have such different ideas about what sin is, often tending to compare themselves to others and justify their own sin condition.  In reality, when we come to truly love and follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit within births a cleansing of old ways, and generates a desire to do what is good and right.  We go from sin avoidance to a higher plain of desiring to please and honor he whom our soul loves.

How about you and me?  Is there a contrast in the before and after—a difference of living in Christ as opposed to without him?  In some ways, we make the choice every day, to place our feet in the footprints of our Lord or go our own way.  Take a moment ~                                       ask God to refill you with his Spirit,                                                      or as David said, renew a right spirit within,                                 and stoke your love for God.

Dear Lord, May we know thee more clearly,? Love thee more dearly,?                                                                                         And follow thee more nearly.  Amen.

Christine