Be Reborn and Renewed
Five weeks of Titus come to an end today! How I've enjoyed going deep into Paul's practical words to his friend and servant in the faith. I hope you've been blessed by the teachings over these weeks.
Christian Character Matters
We've seen this week how Paul encouraged his Christian family to be a particular type of people—be committed to obedience, be devoted to doing good, be peaceful and considerate and gentle, be champions for unity.
Now, how can we get this right? Aren't we too weak, too imperfect, too human to be able to do this? Well, let's read some wonderful words from Paul in verses 3-7 of this last chapter of Titus. He wrote: "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 Saviour 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 Saviour, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
Now that's a wonderful paragraph, a remarkable few sentences that sum up the Christian gospel in a powerful way. Let's unpack it.
Rebirth And Renewal
Paul says we were once all trapped in sin—foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to our sins, living in disunity. But, he says, then came Jesus! Then came Jesus with love and kindness. And He saved us, not because of our good deeds, but simply through His mercy and grace.
And then comes this great sentence: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Rebirth and renewal. Would you hold those two words in your mind today? Rebirth. Renewal.
Isn't it wonderful that God offers us rebirth by faith in Him and His grace? The stains of our sins are washed away, our old selves are crucified, and we are born again, regenerated as new creations in Christ. Oh, how wonderful!
Living In The Spirit
And not only that, but we are renewed by the Holy Spirit. You see, when we're reborn of God, we've got no power to keep ourselves clean and pure and holy. But when we receive the Holy Spirit, we are renewed day by day so that we can walk in God's ways.
Have you received God's forgiveness and love by putting your faith in Christ? Probably most of us have. More than that, have you been reborn by placing your faith in Him and become a new person, your old self gone? And more than that, have you been filled by His Spirit, who renews you day by day in His power so that you can live the Christian life?
This is the wonderful offer of the Gospel, friends. So please come to Him in faith today and receive this blessing. I want to pray with you, and I hope that you'll pray these words along with me.
Lord, what a wonderful mercy, what wonderful grace, what a truly wonderful God You are to send a Saviour who would show us kindness and buy our forgiveness.
Lord, You've drawn us into Yourself with these words today. And so each one of us prays now in faith: Please wash me and cleanse me now, O God, I surrender all. Come, Jesus, and take away my old self. Make me new. Let me be reborn, wash away the stains, and let me be made new. And Holy Spirit, come and fill me now. Come, O Holy Spirit, and empower me to live a life of full love and holiness.
We rise now, Lord, believing that You've done a great work of grace in our hearts, ready to live for You now with joy and love. Thank You, God. In Jesus' name. Amen.
