It’s been a while since I shared and that’s not because God isn't moving. He's actually doing some very deep and intense things not just
in my life but in the lives of many. For the past few weeks I have been
stuck on Titus 2:11-14. I shouldn’t say “stuck” more like amazed, awestruck and
in at times in unbelief. Please let me attempt to explain.
The book of Titus is actually a letter that the Apostle Paul
wrote instructing his young protégé, Titus, on how a church should look like.
Now I’m not going to ask you if your current church reflects some of these qualities
today because chances are….well, let’s just leave that topic alone, for now. Throughout
this letter Paul also warns about false teachers and in Chapter 2 verse 11 Paul
writes about the Grace of God.
The passage reads in the New International Version:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers
salvation to all people. It teaches us to say
“No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright
and godly lives in this present age, while
we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God
and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for
us to redeem us from all wickedness sand to purify for himself a
people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
Now I’d like to speak to the followers of Christ who still
do struggle from time-to-time with things, not to the religious folks. Most of
us would admit we all have something(s)
we deal with on an ongoing basis, drinking too much, lying, greed, gossip, putting
other things above God, lust, pornography, fear, etc this list could
literally go on and on. Those of us that
do deal with things will try and try to “be good” right? We take stands and
make promises to God only to find ourselves right back in the thick of it
years, months, weeks, days or even hours later. We think we can change our
behaviors and when we inevitably fail we find ourselves back in the same
cycle over and over again.
According to this passage in Titus, it’s not anything we do
that will teach us to live pleasing lives and to say “No” to ungodly behaviors; it’s
the Grace of God. Wait what!?? Grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance.
So in essence it’s God’s unmerited divine assistance that will teach us how to
live godly lives. When you really let that soak in is it truly is liberating. Now
I know some will just stop there and say, “Sweet, so it’s all about grace..?
Nice then I can do anything I want and lean on grace!” And if this is the
thought that comes to mind after reading this passage then I strongly urge you
to pray and read it again…and again…and one more time if needed.
I don’t really believe we can fully understand or comprehend
all the mysteries in God’s Word but I believe through diligent study and prayer
God gives us life-changing revelations on what is being said within it. For me
to say that I totally understand God’s Grace and now I am all good and you
should be too; well that would be a lie. But I do believe that God has begun to
show me things regarding my own personal journey and that it’s not about what I
can or cannot do; it’s about what He has done and what He will do once I get
myself out of the way.
Take Care & God Bless
-E
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