The Daily Blueprint 3-1-07

depravity #2- man's foolishness, God's grace!

Titus 3:3-5
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and 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, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost!

I have not used the book of Titus much at all - but after reading today's verse- I can see this book is very valuable - it shows the foolishness of mankind and the grace of God - God has shown HIS grace on us - not because we could earn it - but because God loves us -and He knows without HIS offer and acceptance of grace - all of us would be lost for all eternity - once we accept HIS free gift - HE takes us as HIS own - apart from Christ we have nothing that would get us to heaven- only HIS grace that has been extended to us - God knew we needed saving and once we know HIM and HIS ways and follow in them -our lives are changed from sinners to saints - its not anything we have done nor was it anything we could do - we could not save ourselves by good works -they would never been enough - the only solution is JESUS!

When we are reborn through the regeneration of the Spirit- we become new creations - this is something ive been wrestling with for some time - One thing I am trying to come to grips with is the fact that once we are saved - the old man dies - but then why does the old cravings in our lives still exist? I know my flesh is weak and sinful and evil - but CHRIST lives in me now -so those old desires should die away - my flesh has been crucified in CHRIST and has died - but the flesh keeps on keeping on until we leave it! One day soon beloved - we are going home - only God knows the hour or time - We are lost without HIM and as the days go on and on -we have less time to bring others to HIM! Lets remember how far God had to stoop down to save us and show the same mercy to others -
Man can be foolish -but GOD is always merciful!

A SIDE NOTE:
SINCE CHRIST DWELLS IN US NOW - SIN SHOULD LOSE ITS GRIP ON US!

in CHRIST the old man dies!

LIVIN IN THE WORD - THURSDAY - 3-1-07
Sin separated us from GOD - JESUS brought us back!