This week's scripture from Titus 3:1-8 offers us the problem and the solution for the problem in our lives.  The problem is the "Bad News Before the Good News."  As followers of Jesus we are called to present the "gospel" the "good news" to people.  The challenge is unless folks understand the "bad news" that we're all born into as human beings, the good news may not seem all that good.

Here's the bad news as we find it expressed in Titus 3:3: ³Once 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. (NLT)  That's putting it plain.  ALL of us were foolish and disobedient, not just the "bad" people, but every, single one of us.  We hated each other.  Some of us may have hid that better than others, but all of us have hated others.  We may not have acted on the hatred, but Jesus tells us if we harbor a sin toward another in our hearts we have already committed the sin.  Before Jesus becomes Savior and Lord of our lives, we're slaves to MANY lusts and pleasures.  Again, we may not like the thought of being slaves, since we Americans value freedom as much as any people on earth, but the Apostle Paul made it clear in his letters to the churches that all of us ARE slaves, either slaves of Jesus, which is the only true freedom or slaves to sin, which is the darkest form of slavery. 

Tomorrow we'll talk about the GOOD NEWS of the Good News, and the antidote to evil and envy!

Take a moment and reflect on Titus 3:3.  Realize that the verse applies to you, as it applies to me and to every person.  Let the impact of what we were sink in, and then take time to thank God for sending Jesus to overcome the bad news and provide the ultimate good news!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father,  we confess to You that we are sinners.  We were born as sinners and we'll continue to sin unless we give You control through Your Son, Jesus, and the presence of Your Spirit in our lives.  Fill us anew with Your  Spirit that we live today with the abundant life Jesus promises.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.