Titus 3:3-7
“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. 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.“
Consider the leaves in our picture. When the sunlight is on them fully in the spring and summer, those leaves are a bright, vibrant green. The green chlorophyll allows the leaf to soak up the life-giving sunlight and turn it into nourishment for the entire tree. But as the seasons change, that sunlight shines less and less fully on the leaves. A lack of sunlight changes the leaves from a bright, vibrant green to a myriad other colors. The chlorophyll is replaced by other pigments as the leaves dry up, wither, and ultimately fall. The tree becomes dormant for the winter months.
Before we were saved, our lives were like those fall leaves. We lacked nourishment. We were in various stages of death and dying, but when the Son shone on us, we encountered new life. God’s love and kindness shining on us through the person of Jesus Christ changed us, just like the sunlight makes the leaves green and bright. The redemptive power of Jesus’ blood brings us new life. We are made new. We have life for the first time ever, and it’s abundant life full of blessings and nourishment.
Father, I thank you that your love and kindness changes me. You cleanse me and bless me in the hopes that I will grow more and more like you. Anyone who knew me before you entered my life should see a dramatic change in me as the result of the light of your love and kindness and Jesus’ atoning work. I’m a new man. I’m made a live. Where once I was dead in my sins, now I am not only alive in Christ, but you have blessed me with the same inheritance that you have given Him. This isn’t based on anything I have done to deserve it. It’s completely an act of your grace and mercy. It’s because of your love for me. Thank you for loving me so much! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Beautiful Mess 