Daily Devotion in Titus 3

In advising Titus what he should preach, Paul defined how a Christian’s new character should be. A Christian should strive to not talk negatively about anyone, not fight with others, be gentle, and be meek (vs. 2).

Sometimes people that have been saved for a while agree that the Lord has changed them, but they forget how they were before Jesus made a difference in their lives. In verse three, Paul reminds Titus of what we used to do (vs. 3). Shamefully, we all have to nod our head in agreement that our sin was great before we were saved. We still, after we were saved, 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. For those that think they are a better person after they are saved because of their own doing, they are mistaken (vs. 5).

Many feel they have to “clean up” their life first and then get saved. The problem is we cannot change our natural state ourselves. We can clean up the outside. We can look like a Christian, talk like a Christian, and go to places a Christian should go; but that does not give us a Christian’s heart. In most cases, man does not even know what is wrong with him to begin with. Only God can change the inside of man to what it should be.

After we are saved, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins. After He shows us what our weaknesses and sins are, it is He that helps us change. He is the one that renovates our heart (“regeneration” — vs. 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 be a changed person. We will never be perfect until we get to heaven; but if we obey His guidance, we will not be the person we once were.

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 Cor. 5:17

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.