Renewal
(10-17-05)
Titus 3:3-8
No one likes to be told how terrible they, even if it is in the past tense. But The truth is each of us is like the address in Titus 3:3. We live in an environment that encourages the pursuit of our passions and pleasures.
We do not have to look far to see lives torn apart by sexual immorality, Lives destroyed by the harmful effects of substance abuse, lives riddled by the hollowing results of deception and lies. Lives are being ruined all around us by people pursuing the satisfaction of their pleasures even when the price paid is the harming of other people by their actions.
Paul tells us that those who are controlled by the sinful nature can not please God. (Rom.8:8) He also tells us in Gal.6:8 that those who sow to please the fleshly nature will from that nature reap destruction. He speaks a strong warning in 1Cor.6:9-11 concerning the future for those who pursue the gratification of the flesh’s desires.
The good news that we see in Paul’s comments both here in 1Cor.6 and in Titus 3 is the escape from that future destruction. Here is the struggle – deception. Notice what Paul says in 2Cor.4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…" and in 2Thes.2:10 "and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing…" The cloud of deception is only lifted in Christ. (2Cor.3:14f) We live in a world ruled by those elements that are not in conformity to the will of God.
Each of us, before our entrance into the Kingdom of God, were held captive through lies and deceptions heaped upon us by the god of this world and his dominion. Were it not for the grace of God none would escape. The challenge is to overcome the effects of our participation in sinful practices brought about by our fleshly nature. The consequence of our action has lasting repercussions.
The solution is truth. Truth is the liberator. If you want to escape the clutches of the evil one and all the traps and devises he uses to keep his hold on humanity, then accept the truth. Revisit 2Thes.2:10 Paul gives the reason why people perish; "they perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved." Do you love the lie more than the truth? Here is how you can tell – whose voice wins the argument in your head when you are being enticed to do what you do? You listen to the voice of the one you love most. The voice of truth that gives sound advise and reason or the voice that says ‘I need to do this, I just have to or I’ll….’
The outcome of continued refusal to listen to the truth is the eventual total absence of truth. (See Rom.1: 18-32 also Titus 3:11-12) Deception is all around us, the courts are even considering making a ruling that when campaigning it is alright to lie about your opponent. They argue that it is the individual’s responsibility to determine what is true. It sounds like a Cretan’s practice.
Each of us has the ability to determine to accept truth. The first step is to speak to Jesus about your desire to accept the truth. Tell him you want to believe the truth and not lies. Tell Him you want to escape the hold that lies have upon your life and live free in truth. Tell him that you desire to ruled by Him rather than by your fleshly appetites and desires. The next step is to begin to walk in obedience to the voice of truth. That first step may be in accepting the truth that being baptized is part of Jesus’ salvation process.