Read: Titus 3:3-7
Reflect: William Shakespeare once said that, “Expectation is the root of all heartache”. In other words, we all want to have a positive outlook on life but inevitably, we will be let down. This is because flawed humans will always let you down and disappoint you. If this is true, then on the flip side it also means that if your expectations are low then you won’t be disappointed.
Sometimes we forget this. We encounter difficult people. We see mean people in the world. We see the evil in the world around us and we wonder why people act the way they do. We come in expecting more, but are given a lot less. The problem is, that as Christians we have unrealistic but high expectations of other people. Unfortunately, we forget that an unsaved person is only acting out their true self. We must not justify bad behavior but we must expect it. Laws and rules can’t change a person’s heart; only Jesus can. In Titus chapter 3 we see the story of every Christian. Here we see the steps of our transformation from sinner to saint:
- OUR PAST – For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
- OUR PRESENT – But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior
- OUR FUTURE – So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
So, we see our journey and we must not forget where we came from. If you’re dealing with a difficult person that doesn’t know Jesus or you see evil people acting out badly in the world, don’t despair. We must expect this and also realize that as time goes on it will only get worse until Jesus comes in the clouds for His saints. Don’t stress about people’s behavior but instead look for ways to share with them the good news about Jesus. That is the only way to transform the human heart. Then and only then can we expect more from fallen humanity.
Apply: Don’t expect unsaved people in the world to behave in the right way. They are not capable. Remember, God took us and transformed us from evil sinners to trophies of His grace. We can expect the world to disappoint us but we can also expect God’s transformational power to work through us. He is the only one who will not let you down and He is the only one who can change the world.
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