There is no better summary concerning what it's all about. Read these words and let their meaning really soak in:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." ( Titus 2:11-14)
God's grace has brought salvation to all who will believe. That salvation is designed to cause us to say "no" to a certain lifestyle and "yes" to another. It causes us to never lose sight of our great hope, the Second Coming of Jesus to planet earth. It reminds us that Jesus is setting us aside as His people and is purifying us by His active work at the right hand of God. And all of this causes us to be "zealous for good deeds."
What is striking about these important and instructive words is that they largely call us to "go with the flow". It's like contracting a brand new house to be built: once the papers are signed the contractor begins the process of making the plan a reality. When we "sign the contract" (I.e, accept the salvation offer by faith), the Chief Builder gets to work on making our lives fit for the Kingdom.
The Christian life is far from passive but it is in reality more about responding than initiating. The indwelling Christ prompts our lifestyle and leads us in focusing on our hope, even as He inspires a zeal for good deeds. The promptings are obvious so long as we are responsive. And real joy results in "going with the flow" of the plan and promptings of the Chief Builder.
What are the inner promptings you are hearing today? How well are you responding? Is instant obedience characteristic of your life, or is there hesitation and questioning? Our honest answers to these questions are crucial to the productivity and effectiveness of our lives.
"Go with the spiritual flow", so well outlined in these words in Titus 2:11-14, and enjoy the fruit and blessings of a life in step with the plan and purposes of the Lord.
Steve
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." ( Titus 2:11-14)
God's grace has brought salvation to all who will believe. That salvation is designed to cause us to say "no" to a certain lifestyle and "yes" to another. It causes us to never lose sight of our great hope, the Second Coming of Jesus to planet earth. It reminds us that Jesus is setting us aside as His people and is purifying us by His active work at the right hand of God. And all of this causes us to be "zealous for good deeds."
What is striking about these important and instructive words is that they largely call us to "go with the flow". It's like contracting a brand new house to be built: once the papers are signed the contractor begins the process of making the plan a reality. When we "sign the contract" (I.e, accept the salvation offer by faith), the Chief Builder gets to work on making our lives fit for the Kingdom.
The Christian life is far from passive but it is in reality more about responding than initiating. The indwelling Christ prompts our lifestyle and leads us in focusing on our hope, even as He inspires a zeal for good deeds. The promptings are obvious so long as we are responsive. And real joy results in "going with the flow" of the plan and promptings of the Chief Builder.
What are the inner promptings you are hearing today? How well are you responding? Is instant obedience characteristic of your life, or is there hesitation and questioning? Our honest answers to these questions are crucial to the productivity and effectiveness of our lives.
"Go with the spiritual flow", so well outlined in these words in Titus 2:11-14, and enjoy the fruit and blessings of a life in step with the plan and purposes of the Lord.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:46 AM
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