“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But— When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”
Titus 3:3-7 NLT
How many of us will agree that before giving our hearts to Jesus we were foolish? Looking back over our lives causes us to ask the question: What was I thinking? For some we had no idea how destructive our decisions were. We weren’t given or taught the right set of values to grow by. For others, we knew but didn’t possess the restraints to care. Either way, we can rejoice that Jesus left the ninety-nine to find us. How great is His love and mercy towards us who believe. Hallelujah!
I read something in Psalm 103:17 that got my attention. It reads. “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,”
That little two letter word changed the structure of the verse. It doesn’t say towards, that’s what He demonstrates towards those outside of the new covenant. But for those who reverence (fear) Him, His mercy is on them. That’s like a covering or shield. What does Psalm 23 say about mercy to the trusting? That it follows or accompanies us all the days of our lives. When mercy is on us, judgment passes over us. Glory to God! We’re foolish and disobedient no more so His mercy is on us. That’s great news for when the enemy tries to bring condemnation for past sins. Declare I’m foolish no more!
Living with God consciousness leaves no room for returning to the past. This is what the Psalmist wrote. “May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.”
Psalms 104:34 NKJV may my meditation be sweet to Him. Is that true of our thoughts? When He reads our thoughts is He pleased? Now I know from time to time bad things flow through our minds, but we shouldn’t let them park there. That’s when we were foolish and disobedient. We now have been freed from our past. But God has revealed His kindness and love to us, breaking all strongholds over our lives, we no longer live as fools but wise. Ephesians 5:15
Continuing on the old path after being shown a new and better way is foolish and disobedient. We’re not backwards thinking people. There’s too much ahead of us to keep living life in reverse. Read our opening scripture again. We have been delivered to so much more. God the Father pulled out all the stops, no short cuts or cutting corners. He wiped our slates clean, giving us a better way of life. We hadn’t done one thing right, yet He stepped up. Lavishing us with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. He declared us who obeyed Him and left our old lives “Foolish no more!”
Doesn’t it feel good to be free of the encumbrances of the past? We were slaves to many lust and pleasures, we were evil, hating each other- All the while thinking we’re good people. God in Christ Jesus saw through the facade and redeemed us. Thank you Jesus! Giving us new birth, new life through the Holy Spirit, my heart is leaping for joy, my spirit is ecstatic. The thought of where I was, what I did, and where I am today because of His love, grace and mercy, compels me to live a life free of disobedience and foolishness. Perfect? No. But I’m daily striving towards that goal of being made perfect in Him. I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. What about you? If we keep saying I’ll never be able to do… I can never be…I’m always messing up….I will never overcome….that’s the mindset of a foolish thinker. Someone who hasn’t tapped into what Paul shared with Titus. I must go back to Titus 1. I love the way Paul set the stage for what he was about to share.
The right foundation will sustain what is about to be erected on it. Truth overrides opinion every time. Especially biblical Truths. He begins:
“I, Paul, am God’s slave and Christ’s agent for promoting the faith among God’s chosen people, getting out the accurate word on God and how to respond rightly to it. My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago—and He doesn’t break promises! And then when the time was ripe, He went public with His truth. I’ve been entrusted to proclaim this Message by order of our Savior, God Himself. Dear Titus, legitimate son in the faith: Receive everything God our Father and Jesus our Savior give you!”Titus 1:1-4 MSG
Receive everything, but note from whom: God and Jesus. If we know from whom we’ve received our promises, then there’s absolutely no reason to continue living as though you have no anchor. We shouldn’t look like, sound like or live like the foolishness we’ve been freed from. If there’s no progress in your walk with Jesus, that’s a dead giveaway that you may have said a prayer but you weren’t convinced that you’re born again, or you haven’t made any headway towards growing from infancy to maturity in your spiritual life. Paul said he was promoting and getting out the accurate truth of the Word. If what you heard was accurate and the truth, there’s no way to remain stagnant or ignorant of the life you’ve been given through Christ.
Remaining foolish and disobedient no more is a choice we make. For once you know, you grow. Maybe you’re in the wrong church environment. Many factors play into a decision to remain ignorant. Maybe you need to change who you’re hanging with. Maybe you need to spend quality time studying the Word. Get into a small group Bible study. Whatever will take you from being disobedient and foolish to being the wise robust child of God you can become, do it. His sufficient grace has made you right in His sight, and has given you confidence that you will inherit eternal life. Believe it, receive it and live it. What you were is your past, who you are is your future. Be foolish no more. In Jesus Name 🙏 Receive everything God gives you.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
January 21, 2022