Tuesday 3 October, 2017

11 God’s grace has now appeared. By his grace, God offers to save all people. 12 His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world. 13 That’s how we should live as we wait for the blessed hope God has given us. We are waiting for Jesus Christ to appear in his glory. He is our great God and Savior. 14 He gave himself for us. By doing that, he set us free from all evil. He wanted to make us pure. He wanted us to be his very own people. He wanted us to desire to do what is good. 15 These are the things you should teach. Encourage people and give them hope. Correct them with full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.

Paul has just been telling Titus what to teach different groups in the church. Now he focusses on what grace teaches us about

• My heart: saying “no” to my sinful longings
• My will: controlling myself (taking ownership of what I do)
• My future actions: doing what is right
• My focus: waiting on what God gives

How can I do this?

• My focus: waiting on Jesus
• His completed actions: giving himself to set me free
• His will: that I belong to him
• My heart: to long for what is good

I love the symmetry: my heart, will, actions and focus aligned with his actions and will produces a complete, balanced, fruitful life. Jesus’ life and death sets me free to live the life I was made for.

Jesus, I do choose to live life with you today … and tomorrow … until you appear in your glory.

Written by David Cornell