What Changed Our Self-Centered Focus

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Scripture: Titus 3:4-7

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Insights: The first part of the week we looked at what our lives look like when we put others first.  Yesterday, we looked at what our lives look like when we put ourselves first.  Today, we are going to see what makes such a life change possible.  Just as with the other two dimensions, there are six things that make for a life change.  Firstly, Jesus, God’s Son, actually came to the earth and appeared to humanity.  Secondly, Jesus saved us and our works had no bearing on the salvation, but was solely based on His mercy.  In other words, we can’t save ourselves.  We need a Savior.  Thirdly, Jesus washed us in regeneration.  In other words, He gave us new life.  Praise God for this new life in Him.  Fourthly, Jesus renewed us with the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us.  If this were a restaurant illustration, this fourth point is the secret sauce that make the life change possible.  God sent His Spirit to live inside of us.  We feel His presence and His promptings and we know we have experienced Him.  He empowers us to live life differently than our old nature.  Fifthly, Jesus justified us by His grace.  When Satan accuses us we have One who stands before the Judge and says, “This one has been justified.”  We are legally in right standing with God because of Jesus’ work on Easter weekend.  Praise God for His justice.  The final thing that makes a life change possible is Jesus made us heirs of eternal life which is our hope.  If the Holy Spirit is the secret sauce, then this final point is the cobbler at the end of the meal that makes it all worth while.  If we truly understand eternity and that it lies before us, then we live life differently here and now.  We walk more boldly.  We trust more deeply.  We express faith more frequently.  We encourage and inspire more than we condemn others.  Beloved, let us live such a life change of putting others first because of these six things that produce change in our lives.

Questions:

1. Have you encountered Jesus, the One who made this life change possible?

2. If you have not, why not?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me new life.  I pray I will grow in grace with You and daily become more conformed into the image of Your Son, Jesus  Amen.

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