Are you looking for a change? Do you want to change your life for the good? Has your life changed for the good? Were you previously a disobedient person chasing after worldly pleasures but now a much more settled person? Is there a reason for the change?
As we go through life, we often experience changes. Some changes are behavioral while others are physical. The behavioral changes are often more profound. They may include a complete reversal of behavior and attitude. They may occur suddenly or over the course of several years.
Paul writes to a friend of his, Titus, to provide some guidance for establishing a solid church on the island of Crete. In his letter, he gives some practical advice for behavioral changes. He tells Titus to remember that they had once chased after worldly pleasures and were disobedient to God. It was not that they changed on their own, but God had changed them through his mercy.
If we are continuing to be disobedient and continuing to chase after worldly pleasures and want to change, we also must turn to God and rely on his mercy. God’s mercy does not include only forgiveness of sin. It includes him taking time to mold us into the person he designed us to be. God didn’t create us to be miserable, to be slaves to sin, to be seeking temporary pleasures. He created us to seek eternal joy, be obedient to him, and serve him.
Much like Paul reminded Titus to look at their past and use it to remind those they were serving that change for good came from God, we should do the same. Occasionally, we should look at our past, evaluate where we were and where we are now. It encourages us to continue walking the path God has set us upon. It also reveals the mercy God has shown us.
I pray we all choose to change for the good. I pray we ask God to shed his mercy on us and change us. I pray each one of us will evaluate our past and continue pursuing the path God desires for us. Seek positive change. Ask God to make the change. Pursue God’s path. Evaluate your past. See how God has been merciful to you. Be encouraged by God’s mercy.
Titus 3:3-5 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. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Marty Pressey 