The Gift of New Life‌ Titus 3:3-7

When is the last time you got lost? I mean truly lost, to the point that you could not find your way to your destination? I’m betting it has been a while, or it was because you forgot your phone at home, or the place you were trying to go did not have an actual address. The last time I truly got lost, was during a time period where I attempted to navigate life without a smart phone. Turns out that was not a smart move, hehe. Since the advent of a smart phone in my life, there are so many new possibilities of adventure, it is often difficult for me to decide where to go. I can deviate from the prescribed directions and take other roads and explore where I wish to explore, without fear of being so lost that I might have to suffer the humiliation of being reduced to asking for directions, it is wonderful. This one small device has opened up a world of possibilities.
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Titus 3:3-7 describes a whole new world of possibilities, due to the salvation that Christ has given us. Paul is telling us that as believers we do not have to follow the same pattern of life we did prior to coming to know Jesus. When Jesus saved us, He gave us a brand new life. A life that is not bound by our old character and sinfulness. A life that is fueled by the Holy Spirit who has cleansed our hearts and made us new.
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As you read down through this text you see so many different ways Jesus has given us a new life. We used to be: foolish, disobedient, deceived and then it is almost as if Paul realizes how long this list is going to be so he says, “enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” “We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.” What a terrible existence, another word for it would be lost! We were lost in our own sins and helplessness.
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I love how one old preacher explained the next part, he said, but then God, “butted into our lives.” As Paul says here, “But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, He saved us…but because of his mercy.” God interrupted our lostness to provide a new life through Jesus.
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The Lord Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit who has opened up for us infinite possibilities of living a new life. A new life not enslaved by what we want and desire buy by a true love for God and others. A new life where we are not lost but know where to go and what to do. A new life not weighed down by guilt and shame and hatred but lifted up by love and and joy and mercy for others the same mercy we have been shown, we show to others because of the gift of Salvation!
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We have a brand new life in Jesus full of possibilities and joy that we never dreamed of, things that were impossible without Him. As you leave the house today and I’m sure you will be certain to grab your phone on the way out, make sure you remember that because of Jesus you have a new life that you would be eternally more lost without than you would be without your phone.
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Ask the Lord for His grace to live out the new life He has put in you and as you say Merry Christmas remember it is truly merry because you have been made new!