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Paul opens his letter to Titus with these words: “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.”  It seems somewhat strange in that I’m sure Titus needed no introduction to Paul or explanation of the role the Lord had called him to.  I think perhaps that it was a reminder to Titus that coming to Christ results in, or should result in, a radical change in life’s priorities and in whom we serve.

Later on in chapter three verse three, he reminds Titus of the nature of that radical change of allegiance.  “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures.”   

One day during my high school years, the school bus had to cautiously pass a farmer on his tractor who was obviously inebriated and swerving all over the road. It was the first time in my Ontario rural life that I had witnessed some one in such a state.  Around the same time, I was at a meeting where someone was warning about the danger of illicit drugs that were now being used in New York city. My thought was that New York was a long way away in another country and that would never be a problem in my area. How wrong I was!  Now countless, to use Paul’s words, “have been misled and become slaves” to any number of mind- bending substances.

But because of Christ and his life changing power that is available to us, the enslavement of addiction can be exchanged for the new enslavement that Paul alluded to, that is to be a slave to Christ and his plans and purposes for our lives. A radical change of allegiance to be sure!

The Message paraphrase renders Paul’s words from I Corinthians 7:22 this way: “I’m simply trying to point out that under your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.”

There’s no shortage in the number of folks who have been misled and enslaved to the wrong master. But neither is there any limit in the power of the risen Christ to change lives and set them free.   John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

                                                                                                                                 Pastor Dave