Grace Leads to Holiness!
As we seek first Jesus again this morning, and commit to our yearly Bible reading plans, this thought is impressed upon my mind: Holiness!
Grace is simply God’s power towards us to do what we cannot do.
He wants us to be holy, like Jesus in this world!
Holiness, purity, integrity – almost forgotten word in today’s society, but the very nature and character of God.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.
12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,
I like the way the King Jimmy translation says these verses:
Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
So, grace from heaven, comes in the form of the HOLY Spirit, and teaches us….
What does He teach us?
To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts – to live soberly, righteously, and godly – where? In heaven?
Surely we will live holy there, but this verse is plain. Grace teaches us to live holy here, in this war-torn, broken world…no small task!
2 Timothy 1:9
[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].
Well, there you have it – true grace leads to true holiness (and, I might add, is the only path to actually get there).
I long to live a pure, holy life, full of love, laughter, peace, where we honestly treat others right from a pure heart – holiness is what this world needs.
He is determined to make us into the image of Jesus: Rom 8:29 CEV
and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children…
I remember reading a quote from Lincoln that has stayed with me over the years:
‘The test of a man’s character is not adversity as many would suggest, for many a good man has made it through a hard time, rather, give that man a little authority, and some money in his pocket, and then see how he treats his fellow man!”
Truly, poverty may reveal sin, but can also reveal eternal character!
God has decided to allow us to rise from the muck and the mire of the human experience, and become the people of honor both heaven and earth long for!
This is the true grace of God, the power to live a holy life!
May this be our desire and pursuit today!
Let’s Pray:
Father, work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Cause us to love purity and holiness, and hate sin. Grant us grace to deny ungodliness, rejecting and and renouncing all that is not like You, Your love, Your presence, Your holiness, Your purity. All that will not enter heaven. Do this today, and every day I pray. I ask, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus! Amen!
Prayer Requests: If you or your family need specific prayer for anything, please send us a prayer request. We as a family will pray for you today, and if you would, please let us know the wonderful ways God answers. This is a great encouragement to us. https://www.chrisaomministries.com/2016/08/06/the-purpose-of-this-blog/