Paul writing, “…we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3) Paul says this about himself, “I DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND MYSELF, for I want to do what is right, but I DON’T DO IT. Instead, I DO WHAT I HATE. But if I know that what I am doing IS WRONG, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So, I am not the one doing wrong; IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME THAT DOES IT. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” (Romans 7:15-19)
This is the condition many church going people (not understanding why they don’t make wise choices), are living in today! How do I know that? The Parable of the 10 virgins representing the church today, HALF WERE WISE, HALF WERE FOOLISH. They all, “… took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 25:1) They all looked the same, they all dressed the same and they all had lamps but the foolish, “took their lamps but DID NOT TAKE ANY OIL with them.” (Matthew 25:3) Only half of them had a relationship with the Lord! Many have gone to church all their lives but have NEVER REPENTED OF THEIR SINS. Is this my opinion? No, it’s what this parable is about! Jesus says to the half that are foolish, “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But He replied, “Truly I tell you; I DON’T KNOW YOU.” (Matthew 25:11-12)
Paul explains how God takes away his sinful nature and he now understands, “But when the KINDNESS AND THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR toward man APPEARED, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, through the WASHING of REGENERATION and RENEWING of the HOLY SPIRIT, whom He poured out on us ABUNDANTLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST our Savior, that having been JUSTIFIED (dikaioō: to be considered as just or innocent) by His grace we should become HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.” (Titus 3:4-7)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham