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 present world...
—Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)
In a world that has chosen to have no absolutes and that seems to have abandoned any moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of the Father beckons us to change our lifestyles in response to his grace, regardless of society's values (1 John 3:1-3). All who receive grace and refuse to pursue righteousness demonstrate their ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time, to be saved must mean that we pursue righteousness - not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God's saving grace will not be fruitless in us (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:2). You see, to have Jesus as our Savior also means to have him as our LORD and we tune our lives to his will, his character, and his example.
Holy Father, I confess that I live in a morally confused time. Satan is constantly distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus.
Through Jesus, my atoning sacrifice, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
In a world that has chosen to have no absolutes and that seems to have abandoned any moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of the Father beckons us to change our lifestyles in response to his grace, regardless of society's values (1 John 3:1-3). All who receive grace and refuse to pursue righteousness demonstrate their ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time, to be saved must mean that we pursue righteousness - not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God's saving grace will not be fruitless in us (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:2). You see, to have Jesus as our Savior also means to have him as our LORD and we tune our lives to his will, his character, and his example.
My Prayer...
Holy Father, I confess that I live in a morally confused time. Satan is constantly distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Through Jesus, my atoning sacrifice, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
