Not Just Fire Insurance

Verse of the day: Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. For those of us that have called upon Him, and trusted Him for eternal salvation, we have much to be eternally grateful for. Sadly, too many use the Lord as "fire" insurance, and use the grace of God as justification for their continued sinful practices. This should not be the case for the true child of God. He did not save us just to keep us out of Hell. Eph 2:10 tells us that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works. This was prepared beforehand by God, that we should walk in them (good works). The Apostle Paul was instructing Titus in respect to teaching Christ's followers about their duty to live a godly, righteous life in this present world. Why is this necessary? Because we live in a dark world that opposes everything this is godly. We live in a world that has a twisted, corrupt, view of morality. As Christ followers, we no longer belong to this world, and its crooked system. We are now adopted into God's family, and our behavior, and way of living, should now reflect that. A true child of God will no longer have a desire to live an ungodly, and immoral life. Will we stumble on occasion? Yes. Do we have to just lay down, and give up when that happens? No. This is where it is of utmost importance that we learn how to come alongside one another, and help one another to be reconciled to the Lord, and returned to fellowship with God, and His family (Gal 6:1-5). The bottom line is that when we accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, God began a process of changing us, and making us more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is working in us, and through us. If this is true, then none of us who are true believers have a good excuse for not living a life that honors our Lord. Yes, the process is challenging, and it is truly a battle, but God has equipped us to survive, and have victory, in Christ Jesus. Let us deny all ungodliness and worldly desires. Instead, let us live out our salvation in godliness and righteousness, teaching others what Christianity should look like, not just in word, but also in deed; that those who would mock us or falsely accuse us would be put to shame by our good works, and behavior, resulting in glory to our God (1 Pt 2:11-12), as we continue to look forward to the return of our Living Hope, Jesus Christ.