Eternity Daily Bible Study No. 271

__________________________________________________________________________
To subscribe or to read other bible studies go to: http://www.aibi.ph/eternity/

Interested in the media muddle over Janet Jackson or The Passion? Read my article on responsible free speech:
http://www.aibi.ph/vote/Freedom_Of_Speech.pdf
__________________________________________________________________________

Titus 3:1-7  
Put them in mind to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to every good work,  (2)  to speak evil of no one, not being quarrelsome, but forbearing, showing all meekness to all men.  (3)  For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.  (4)  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  (5)  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (6)  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  (7)  that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

God changes our heart through the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

The old nature is described by Paul thus: “For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. “ (Verse 3) Lust, folly, self-deception, envy, malice and hatred – you can see them clearly in most workplaces: The office Lothario, the self-deceived and pompous supervisor, the envious schemer, the malicious backstabber and the vivid hatred between management and staff in many firms.  Paul is not exaggerating our condition prior to Christ – a condition desperately in need of transformation. The unregenerate human heart is the source of so many of this world’s ills. 

And secular education does not cure it!  Both my wife and I have worked as academics and seen spectacular turf fights and heart-breaking folly among people with high intelligence and good education. We have seen graduate students fall into moral sin, and lecturers become alcoholics, and unnecessary divorces and financial ruin. We have seen enough to convince us that no amount of education can cure the condition of the human heart – only Christ!

Now education is good and to be commended – but it does not fully tame the flesh or subdue the ego. Education may train the mind, but even the strongest mind cannot conquer forces such as envy, lust and disobedience to God. Secular education can fit us for earthly service and a career but it cannot fit us for God’s service and for Heaven. But this is not a bible study against education - rather it is an exhortation to consider Christ and the Holy Spirit! For it is Christ that change sour heart and our unruly ways and the Holy Spirit that washes and regenerates us.

In verses 4-7 Paul gives a brilliantly brief gospel outline: (4)  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  (5)  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (6)  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  (7)  that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

That is almost as close to a creed as you can get! Remember yesterday we saw that Christians were to be practical about their faith and “zealous for good works”. Now Paul quickly disabuses any notions that may flow from that by saying that good works do not establish our righteousness with God: “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” And later “that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs..” Our inheritance and our salvation flow from grace and mercy –not from a righteousness we establish by our own efforts at being good.

Notice how Paul describes God – the kindness and love of God, mercy, and grace. This is a God that likes people and saves people and justifies them – and does not condemn them. And this is a God that is interested in fixing us up – from the inside out “but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, “ The first thing that God deals with is your eternal destiny –you are “saved”. Then God deals with your shame and defilement and all the muck of life and washes you and makes you new this is “the washing of regeneration”. Finally God forms a new and glorious person in you, a new creation, fitted for Heaven, and like Christ – the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Thus all born-again Christians should know three things a) God likes them and has chosen to love them. b) God has a safe and good future for them in Heaven, life will work out in the end. c) Their shame is of no consequence in the eyes of God. God justifies, cleanses, washes, and removes shame completely and forms a new shame-free and glorious person.

Notice too how generous God is with His Holy Spirit: “through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  (6) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”  It is God’s intention to pour out the Holy Spirit without measure, to pour it out abundantly on His Church to perfect it and purify it.  Since this is God’s clear wish we do not have to plead for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  We just have to remove the roadblocks and He will move in! Common roadblocks include spiritual pride, unbelief, serious sin and grieving, resisting and quenching the Holy Spirit. (For more on these obstacles to revival go to: http://www.aibi.ph/beq/8spirit.htm )

Do you want the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit on your church or ministry? Then ask for it and expect it in prayer because God is more than willing to give it to you.  It is a grace gift – so it is no way not earned, revival has come to some strange places and to some ordinary places - but never to prayerless places! Desire the Holy Spirit! Plead with God for His Presence in your midst and remove the hindering roadblocks that He shows you.

I have seen revival come to school-children and to tribes in Papua New Guinea and to university students. God does not wait for a perfect church or a perfect people to bless.  He simply waits for an open heart to the Lord! Revival follows an earnest desire for God to turn up. Write this verse from Titus on your refrigerator and believe it! “The Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Name it, claim it, believe it and expect it. Expect revival as a promise of God! As William Carey once said “Expect great things from God!’ 

Blessings,

John Edmiston johned@aibi.ph

Were you blessed by Eternity Daily Bible Study?  To subscribe just send 
a blank email to: eternity-dbs-subscribe@strategicnetwork.org

Visit the Eternity Daily Bible Study Archives - 
http://www.aibi.ph/eternity/ 

Study at the Asian Internet Bible Institute- Free online non-formal, 
in-service, bible and ministry training: http://www.aibi.ph 

This ministry is supported by donations from those who have been blessed. To donate online go to: http://www.aibi.ph/aibi/donate.htm