Based on a study of Titus 2:11-14, we discover three values of God's Grace.
It Teaches Us to Say NO to Satan That's an unexpected jolt to those stressing only Positive-Reinforcement—considering negatives as plagues on language. Thankfully, Bible teaching everywhere demands negatives:
It Teaches Us to Say YES to Jesus For what he saves us FROM frees us to mature in what he saved us FOR:
Grace grants us privileges we can't deserve:
Again, a word hated by a humanity obsessed with:
Some time ago a Mexican family paid a large ransom to secure the release of a family member. It secured his release. Long ago Jesus paid the ransom to secure our freedom from sin. That redemption still works for all believers. One difference characterizes the two releases:
It Teaches Us to Fix Our Attention on a Future of Rewards Some unbelievers, David Hume and John Galsworthy among them, ridiculed the idea of rewards. To them, being good is in itself reason enough NOT to do wrong. However rational that sounds, that's merely human morality strutting before God Almighty! When God uses the threat of punishment if we disobey hm, and the promise of reward if we serve him, who are skeptics to say he can't? And what kind of disciples do skeptics think we are to let their doubt weaken our faith in the Son of God? The Master's return from Heaven is the all-embracing, all-rewarding experience of believers. Our hope of a resurrected body, new in every way, influences our present morality. Because we intend to LIVE ON, we presently LIVE RIGHT. Amen
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Queen Elizabeth visited one of her courtiers. As she wandered through his castle, the acid-tongued monarch commented on the discrepancy of his habitation vis á vis his position in her administration. The quick-witted courtier replied that the house remained big enough for him; she had simply elevated him to a position larger than the house. Abigail, 141
The same is true of our body vis á vis the spiritual treasure within it—the vast “treasure in jars of clay” II Corinthians 4:7. Even now it means, in Paul’s words, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” II Corinthians 4:8-9. While the task of discipleship remains far more difficult than our flesh can stand, God’s Spirit empowers his service. Even now, in our fallen personal, but recovered, state. Even now, in a culture hostile to Christ’s very name. Even now, facing societal animus that menaces every Christ-centered message. Even now...the honor with which our Master endows us enlarges our capacity for spiritual service. Indeed, it doesn’t take a docile, patient, interested audience to make Christ-honoring faith possible and powerful! And that’s just the beginning. For in a time past the present, past death, past judgment and past flesh and blood, God will re-fashion our body to equality with our state as his eternal servants: desires and destiny the same, aspirations and actions, purpose and practice, canons and conduct seamless, indivisible. Even now...repeat both words until you BELIEVE...even now...all this because “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” John 4:4. Amen. |
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