Corona Devo 3231

 


For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (12) It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (13) while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, (14) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  ~Titus 2:11-14

~~~

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ~Titus 2:11

God's grace has appeared to us, and not just to us...but to all, everyone.

The grace of God has appeared to everyone, and that grace offers salvation to all people. Salvation...meaning: the forgiveness of our sins from a God who loves us that much.

His (God's) grace has appeared that offers salvation to ME, and to YOU, and to all people.

If that doesn't blow-our-mind...then our faith, and our gratitude-toward-God for what He has done for us through our salvation---has grown stale. Or...(in my case), worse than stale...

Have we grown uptight in our faith today?

My Bible reading for today included Titus 2:11-15, and when I initially read the verses, I transposed (switched) the word "upright" for "uptight".

At first I couldn't believe that God had put "uptight" in His Bible to describe how we are living, but then I felt the Lord's conviction in my heart, and I realized that I have been putting the "uptight" in His Bible, and in my faith, and in my life, not Him.

God tells us to live upright and godly lives. Not "uptight" and godly lives.

These verses begin with God reminding us of what He has done for us. In His grace, He has offered us salvation, and it's not just for us! He offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11).

God loves us all, and He has grace with us all. And so why don't I have grace with others sometimes? (Feel free to insert yourself with me into this disciplinary-reading of Titus 2:11-15 if applicable!)

God gives us grace. He has given us salvation. They are linked.

When we experience/understand/receive God's grace...it softens us, and opens us, and prepares us to receive His salvation. The idea (and truth!) that the God of the universes grants you and me grace is mind-boggling...and that is the first miracle.

But the second miracle is us receiving His grace, and allowing it to affect our heart and soul: which leads to salvation.

If we can agree...if we have experienced the link between God's grace for us and then His salvation for us...then we can also see the crime in withholding God's grace from others and impeding their journey toward God's salvation, which we can sometimes do by being uptight.

...By taking the grace out of faith: and requiring that people meet our standards of faith instead of God's.

...By requiring more than God requires.

...By having standards that are unrealistic.

~~~ 

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (12) It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age... ~Titus 2:11-12 

We are to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12)...not self-controlled, UPTIGHT and godly lives in this present age.
Where have we gone wrong? (The answer is: It doesn't matter!) What matters is that we continue reading the Bible and being educated and disciplined by God's Word. And today, He is telling us not to live "uptight" in our faith, but to live upright and godly lives.
And, if that is enough of a scolding on that subject (it is for me, and We repent of our uptightness, Lord.), then God has much more to say in defining His prescribed behavior for our lives.
Father, forgive us for when we have perched condescendingly upon our spiritual high horse, and have become uptight with others--both who know You, and who You are seeking to know You.
Help us to be upright with others today, instead of uptight with others today. And show us what else, Father:
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
(13) while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
(14) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own... ~Titus 2:12-14
Father, Your Word purifies us. It reveals our imperfections and our sin against You, and You gave Your Son to purify us.
The process is uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but if we will embrace Your purification...we can know that we are Your people.
...a people that are his very own... ~Titus 2:14
That's us, Lord! We have been blessed by Your grace that appeared and offered us salvation, and we desire very much to please You because we are Your very own people. Purify us today, Father.
...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  ~Titus 2:14

Lord, when we are uptight, we are not eager to do what is good.  Relax us in You today, Father.  Don't let us thwart Your plans or Your promises for others...our ourselves.  

God, you are good, and we are Your very own people and today, we are eager to do what is good.  Teach us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. In this present DAY!
Help us to be upright and not uptight today, Father. Amen.
~~~
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (12) It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (13) while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, (14) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  ~Titus 2:11-14


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