Dear Church,

Yesterday, we were reminded that grace does more than pardon; it trains. Titus 2:12 – “It (grace) teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.” The same grace that saved us now tutors us to make a clear “No” and a joyful “Yes”.

By “No”, Paul means a decisive break with ungodliness. The word means living as if God were optional.  And worldly passions are those desires our culture disciplines: approval, addiction, greed, lust, envy, outrage, comfort at all costs. When the Holy Spirit puts His finger on something, don’t argue; agree with Him quickly.  Confess it, turn from it, and step into freedom.  For some of us, this journey may be long and hard, but continue to trust in Him, depend on His strength, and you will break-free. The Cross and Jesus’ resurrection guarantee this. It’s okay to struggle with something; it’s not okay to stay settled with something.

By “Yes”, Paul points us toward a grace-shaped life: self-controlled (inward mastery of appetites and emotions), upright (truthful, fair, and dependable with others), and godly (a heart turned toward the Lord in worship and obedience). And notice the timing: “in this present age.” Not someday, today, in our kitchens and cubicles, in traffic, in conversations, on our screens, and in our spending.

May the Lord make us a people who are not only forgiven but schooled and formed by His grace to be self-controlled, upright, and godly, so that His beauty is seen in our everyday lives.

Be Encouraged,
Mathews