FRESH START TODAY – A promise from our Savior, Jesus Christ
Titus 3:4-7, 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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV
The Book of Romans clearly walks you through God’s plan of Salvation. You can use it to instruct others to understand God’s plan. (Romans 10:9) There may be people reading this devotional who do not know God’s plan for their life. I would be in error if I only wrote for believers, because the Lord loves all sinners. The Lord never intended for people to die in their sin to face eternal separation from God. This statement seems harsh, but I needed to hear it, too. God speaks about the heart all the way through the Bible and this is how the Holy Spirit touches humanity with His love. We must love the sinner and not judge too harshly the people that have not received this wonderful promise. I used to say “by the grace of God there go I!” There are many believers that can say that before accepting Christ as their Savior they used to be worldly, gossiping, backbiting and unkind. That is sin, my friend. We are not right before God because of our own actions and attitudes. Righteousness is a church word that just means we can be right before God due to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the Holy veil that hides our sins and intercedes for us on a daily basis as we pray to the Holy Father. He sifts the words of our prayers and God the Father hears our heart’s attitude.
I have a friend and sister in Christ that was brought by a co-worker of hers to a Bible study class that I used to teach. The class was for women that had circumstances in their lives where they could freely speak about and not be judged. What was talked about in the class stayed in the classroom. This woman used to attend the class sitting with her arms closed across her chest and a frown on her face. She listened to the women as they shared their concerns. She would not come for 2 or 3 weeks and then would show up again. This occurred over several months. We honestly cared about her and began to pray for her to see the love of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit started to work in her heart as she began to forgive issues that she could not release without His help. Her heart began to change and in God’s time she said to the ladies, “I thought you were all phonies, because of the love that was shared in the classroom, but now I know that it is real!” The tears began to flow as we all recognized the activity of the Holy Spirit. This is why we are not to judge others, because only God knows the issues of a heart. He knows how to reach the individual, but we need to be available to share the truth about God’s love. The Lord gives mercy and grace to those that would pray to accept this promised gift.
A wise preacher once said that the Good News (Gospel) of Christ is either substantiated or negated by the love and unity the church demonstrates. The reason some people do not understand how to accept the love of Jesus Christ is because they have been battered by others they thought they could trust. Your continued love for the unlovely is what may lighten the burden of their pain. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength to say and do what you need to do for this person.
Read the scripture for today and listen for truth that is being said. May the Lord bless you this new day as you begin fresh in your relationship with the Lord.
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