Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. Titus 3:1-3 HCSB
When we get saved, it’s like what I imagine becoming extremely wealthy would be like. We have peace and joy that we had not known before. We have a realization of God’s love for us. This can be awesome, but if we aren’t careful, it can make us prideful.
I have known people who became new Christians, and they acted as though they were better Christians than the others around them. They tended to turn their noses up at us commons sinners.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 we are saved by grace through faith. It doesn’t come from us, it’s God’s gift to us. The reason is so that none of us can boast about what we did. All we had to do was believe. God did all the rest.
This Scripture passage is a reminder of how we are to be an example to those who have not yet believed and accepted Christ as their Savior. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate Christ. Jesus was obedient, He humbled Himself even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Our Scripture passage for today is a reminder of how we are to treat others. There are many lost people out there looking for something to fill that Jesus-sized hole in their hearts. As our pastor often says, we may be the only Bible they ever read.
Our example of Christian living may be the only thing that helps them to see what they are missing without Jesus in their life.
When we truly are sorry in our hearts for our sins and repent and ask God to forgive us, we know He is faithful to do just that (1 John 1:9). We also know that it is forgiven and forgotten. We are told in Psalm 103:12 that God removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
We must remember, however, that we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We must be careful in the presence of non-believers not to appear prideful because of our salvation.
Sin is sin, there is no little sin or big sin, and we are all sinners. Keeping that in mind, know that sometimes our actions witness louder than our words.
Remember this when you deal with those who are unchurched or unsaved. We need to be a beacon of light to those who are lost.
Remind them to do what is right, model this for them and remember that you once did some of the same things they do. None of us are perfect.
Have a great day!