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"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."
(Titus 3:3)
Today's verse continues on from yesterday's passage. Let's read it all together to catch the context:
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 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."
(Titus 3:1-3)
Remember that Paul is focusing on the evangelism of the Christians in Crete toward the unbelieving population which surrounds them. Yesterday, we looked at some suggestions and commands that Paul gives on how to be a living testimony of a life transformed by Christ. Today, he reminds us that we are no better than those we see living in sin around us. Without the grace and mercy of our Lord, our lives would also be characterized by such sins. Why does Paul's train of thought go from these instructions to reminding them of their own past? Because, oh, how easy it is for us to pursue righteous living for the wrong reasons. In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us about giving to the needy in order to be seen by others or praying and fasting like the hypocrites who just want to be heard, seen and admired by others. Giving to the needy, praying, and fasting are all righteous things to do, but when done for the wrong reasons, we receive no heavenly reward for them. Here in Titus 3, therefore, Paul seeks to protect the Cretan believers from such a pitfall. He instructs them in ways to live righteously... but then he quickly reminds them that it is only for the grace of God that they are even able to pursue righteousness.
A common pitfall when it comes to doing good is to let your own good deeds lead to pride and self-righteousness. How easy it would be to follow Paul's instructions for living in a way to display Christ to a lost world... and then letting such good actions puff up your pride. Therefore, in his pastoral way, Paul reminds the Cretan believers that if it were not for the grace and mercy of God, they would be in the same boat. This truth humbles us. We are not better than any other. We are recipients of grace.
Is there anyone to whom you are tempted to compare yourself in order to make yourself feel better about how you are living? Or perhaps, is there anyone in particular you find yourself being extra critical of? Maybe it is your spouse, your boss, or even a whole group of people. How easy it is to pass judgement on those different from us, and how easy it is to pass judgement on those who are not following the Lord. Remember today that they are going through life without the Holy Spirit for help. Remember that it is only by grace that you do not do the same things. Don't let your pursuit of following Paul's instructions in verses 1 and 2 lead you to pride. Remember verse 3. Let the grace of God humble you.
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