If we judge our own behavior, each will find that at one time we too were foolish, disobedient and enslaved by all kinds of passions. When we were driven by our own sinful desires, and not living according to God’s will.
Apostle Paul writes in a letter to Titus, (Titus 3:3). The purpose of the letter was to provide instructions for church organization, leadership, and the conduct of believers. That they be transformed by the Holy Spirit and live a life that reflects God’s grace and love.
Paul addresses Timothy in (1 Timothy 1:13) and reflects on his own past as a persecutor of Christians and emphasizes how God’s grace and mercy transformed him. Acknowledging that he was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man, until God’s grace reached out to him and enabled him to receive forgiveness and salvation. Testimony of God’s redemptive power and the importance of faith and trust in HIM.
Aspire to surrender the inclination towards worldly desires, strive to transcend the pursuit of fleeting passions. You are no longer the person who does things ignorantly or in unbelief, but now am one who knows God.
Titus 3:3
New International Version
3 “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.”
Titus 3:3
King James Version
3 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
Titus 3:3
Living Bible
3 “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient; we were misled by others and became slaves to many evil pleasures and wicked desires. Our lives were full of resentment and envy. We hated others and they hated us.”
1 Timothy 1:13
New International Version
13 “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.”
1 Timothy 1:13
King James Version
13 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
1 Timothy 1:13
Living Bible
13 “even though I used to scoff at the name of Christ. I hunted down his people, harming them in every way I could. But God had mercy on me because I didn’t know what I was doing, for I didn’t know Christ at that time.”