“ONCE, WE, TOO…” (Why did God choose me?)

TITUS 3:3-5: “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.” NLT

OBSERVATION: “Once we, too…” These are powerful words. They are words that remind me that no one is beyond the reach and power of God’s grace. They remind me that there is no room for spiritual pride in the life of the believer. They remind me that I must position my heart to pray for those who do not know Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News so they too can believe.

When I grew up, in the tradition of faith that I was a part of, we would recite a section of the liturgy that said – “Lord, forgive me, a poor miserable sinner…”. Once I committed my life to Jesus Christ I could no longer utter this phrase. I thought – “I am not a poor miserable sinner! I am a child of God! I am the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus!” Yet, it did not take long to be reminded that I continued to struggle with sin in my life.

It is interesting how much our lives reflect the pendulum of a grandfather clock. We struggle to find balance. We swing from one extreme to the next. We see this in our lives, politics, and even the church. I am a child of God by faith. When God looks at me He sees the righteousness of His Son and not my sin. I am no longer a poor miserable sinner. Yet…

I am still a sinner!

If I wasn’t a sinner I would no longer struggle with sin. I would no longer be affected by temptation. I would no longer lose my temper. I would no longer look at others with impatience and disdain. I would always choose the right way. I would always respond with compassion and love. I would also speak with wisdom and charity. I would always forgive, always be patient and always love.

Yet, I don’t do any of these perfectly. I still fail. I still sin!

“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.”

Although my life has been changed, my sins are forgiven, and my standing with God has been restored, I still struggle with my past life. I am not a poor miserable sinner with no option but to sin. I am a sinner saved by grace, cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, enlightened with the Word of God, and empowered by His love. Before He saved me I was unable to resist sin. Now that He has saved me by His mercy and grace I can overcome sin – but…

I still struggle with sin.

Why did God choose me? I am no better than anyone else. I am a sinner and I still struggle with sin. WHY DID GOD CHOSE ME? God did not choose me, save me, clothe me in the righteousness of His Son, and fill me with His Holy Spirit, because He was impressed with my life and said – “Now, there is a good one! I think I will save him.” No, Paul reminds me why God saved me. It had nothing to do with me. It had everything to do with Him!

“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.”

We are saved because of His mercy. We are saved by His grace, through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. We were poor miserable sinners, just like everyone else. We are no better than the next person. We are not “the enlightened.” We are simply the recipients of God’s mercy and grace! When we realize this it changes how we view our world and interact with others.

The Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is an invitation to God’s mercy and grace. The cross of Jesus Christ is the hope for ALL mankind. There is not a special class who can be saved. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyone who realizes they are lost in brokenness and sin, who confesses their sin and need for the Savior, will receive the washing away of their sins, the new birth, and new life through the Holy Spirit.

We are not in a battle against our fellow man. It is not the conservatives against the liberals. It is not the churchgoers against the non-churchgoers. It is not the good people against the bad. It is simply – one beggar who freely receives the Bread of Life calling out to another beggar –

“Come, taste and see, the Lord is Good!”

There is only one hope for man. There is only one hope for mankind. There is only one hope for eternal life. It is the man, Christ Jesus. It is the love of God proclaimed in the cross of Calvary. It is God’s kindness, goodness, and mercy extended to every man. It is the free gift of salvation, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ…

To every one who believes!

As a sinner who knows my past, struggles in my present, trusts God for my future, clings to the grace and mercy of God, and is saved by the goodness of God through Jesus Christ my Lord – I earnestly pray that you too…

Will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Rom 10:13)

In Jesus’ Name!