3 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. ² They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

³ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. ⁴ But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Titus 3:1-7

Dear God, I pretty much read this whole letter from Paul to Titus this morning. It was interesting to see that Paul was focused on encouraging Titus to hold people accountable for being good and moral. He mentions slander a lot. Apparently, these are all people on Crete, and he is treating them distinctly as being from there. He references it a few times. But as I read through this, I was struck by this part of the last chapter. There’s a humility in Paul in verse three. He remembers when he as sinful. He seemingly admits to being a slave “to many lusts and pleasures.” I don’t know if that’s what he intended or if I’ve ever seen him admit to that before, but it’s interesting for him to be that vulnerable. He always comes across as a little more chaste than that.

I guess my point is that I want to always remember what you’ve saved me from. The easiest way for me to offer my own forgiveness to others and your mercy to others is to remember that I am as sinful as anyone. The words to the Charlie Peacock song “In the Ligh” come to mind: “Tell me what’s going on inside of me. I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicions that I’m still a man in need of a savior.”

Father, help me to first live up to what and who you are calling me to be. Forgive me for my sins. When I fail. As Paul put it, for being a slave to many lusts and pleasures. They are all false. They are cotton candy–sweet to the tongue at first, but then gone into a vapor in a moment leaving behind only rot. So I am sorry. Purify me, Lord. And then help me to humbly walk with you, love others, and do the things that will help my neighbors find the narrow path you have for them. And help me to walk that narrow path well too.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen