Filthy Rags

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

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."

Titus 3:1-8

What a wonderful passage, right? Our righteousness = filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

Sober Minds

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this pressent world."

Titus 2:11,12

Lost

"Men are creatures of habit," the quote says.  And I am one creature, distracted.  Even as I am now attempting to write this entry.

I'm trying to get into the groove of living in Illinois again; of studying, of working, but my life has not been what one would call exemplary.  My use of time, and money, and time (I have a lot of time in my hands) and energy... how do I find the power to mold myself to a better form. I can't.

LORD, please show me the way back to that straight and narrow road.

"The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin." Proverbs 5:22