Remind me

DEVOTION
TITUS
REMIND ME
Titus 3:3-6
3 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. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 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, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
NIV
Maybe it is a good thing to be reminded how I once was. Maybe it also is a good thing to remind others how they were once, although I do not think I would ever forget, nor would my fellow believers. Yet it would seem God is doing just that within the text of this section. He is reminded all of us. I wonder if I do not get catch up in self- righteous thinking and forget from where I came. Of course I still am not perfect, not that I voluntarily engage in this foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslavement to passions and pleasures behavior, but I cannot say that I do not sin anymore either, as I have heard some say. So it is good to be reminded and refocused on the kindness and love of God who saved me, not because of any righteous thing I ever did, or may be doing now. The only reason I am saved is because of his mercy. I have no self-qualifications at all. I never did, and I never will. If I even think for one moment that I have attain a sinless life, or perfection in the life, than of what value is Christ to me, for I could save myself. I am so thankful for the mercy of God, for I surely needed it back then when I was exactly as these words describe, and I am still in need for I have yet to reach that sinless state of perfection. I am convinced, without the mercy of God, I would already be dead and I would have been dead in sin and thus I would have perished. But because of Christ, the mercy of God, I have been born again, I have experienced rebirth and I am in the process of being renewed by the Holy Spirit each and every day of my new life. How wonderful that is! And, not only has he poured out the Spirit, but he is not stingy, but he has poured out the Spirit until it is overflowing in my life, which means more than I could ever imagine. What a glorious empowering action by Jesus Christ upon me and all who dare to believe. My focus is no longer on the life of disobedience, but on the life God desires for me. I fail, I fall, but I do not ever refocus my attention on my past ways. I remain determined to follow my Lord and my God, to live in a manner that is worthy of my calling, to live to a higher standard with the help of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for reminded me.