Titus 3 v 4-7
Paul is telling Titus that he should remind the church that they were no better than the Cretans they live with. The only difference is that the church had eceived grace and grace changed everything for them.
“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, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3 v 4-7)
His grace is amazing but it also offensive. It is not fair. There seems to be no justice.
It throws parties for sons who have wasted the inheritance.
It promises assurance to dying thieves who ask to be remembered in the next life.
It is found in defeat not victory.
In the prisons of failure not the palaces of achievement.
It refuses to break the bruised reed that everyone wants to break or snuff out the smouldering wick that everyone sees as useless.
Grace says this: God loves you. Nothing else. That’s it. Right now. How things are. No matter how bad.
If you really want to gauge your love for God then look at how you have been loving people.
If we focus our attention on what people are not or what they should be then we have not understood grace.
Who is your enemy? Who is the person that hurt you? If you could what would you do to them? What do they deserve? Grace was given to you so where is grace?
Missions Paul 