Today’s Bible Reading:
Amos 7-9; Psalm 104; Titus 2
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Godly Living
SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-14
11 For the
grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 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 glorious appearing 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 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Paul in context is instructing Titus to teach sound and
balanced doctrine—the truth that salvation through Christ Jesus is available to
all people; male or female, young or old, slave or free, Jew or Gentile. And as
redeemed people awaiting the “appearing” (the second coming of Christ), God’s
saving grace teaches us to live godly upright lives “in this present age.” Here and now we are instructed by the Gospel
of salvation to say “No” to godless and indulgent lifestyles.
APPLICATION:
Jesus Christ doesn’t just offer us eternal life someday
after we have shuffled off this mortal coil as Shakespeare put it. It is not
that when Jesus comes again at the end of the age that that’s when the good
life begins. It is that from the moment we believe in and receive Him new life
has begun. Even while we are still in the midst of this corrupt world and
surrounded by “ungodliness and worldly
passions” tugging at us and luring us and tempting us, we are empowered
with the self control to say “No, I will not go there! I choose to live an
upright, God-honoring life today and each day as long as I live this earthly life,
and then eternity.” If I am preaching a gospel that only emphasizes future
salvation and does not change people’s lives now, I am not preaching the whole
Gospel of Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me Holy Spirit anointed preaching and teaching
that changes lives today—that reveals Your purpose for individual lives—that
enables them to say no to worldly shamefulness—that inspires them to live lives
that honor You and that bring meaning to them.
For Your glory and our best. Amen. -AP