Titus 2:11-14

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 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 appearing of the glory 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.




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     As we know in just a few short days we will be celebrating Christmas, the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As we see in this passage and know from the gospels and our own personal testimonies God sent his grace to earth in the from of his son Jesus Christ who was fully man and fully God to bring us salvation. He came to make his people a new, to create pure and righteous people whose one true love is serving Him at any cost. Often times though we read passages like these and see them as a parent telling us what not to do and our teenage rebellious self comes out and we subconsciously begin to think: Well who is God to tell me what to do? That one though (even if guilty at times) I would still have to say....well.....hes GOD! Duh!
    We tend to see these restrictions on our lives such as: no partying and getting drunk, no sex before marriage, no gambling, etc. as some prudish life style from an old testament God who is not "down with the times". I have heard on many occasions that the bible is out of date and the writers could not have foreseen what life would be like in modern day, and I take it this same excuse has been used in every generation from the publication of the bible. But if we step back and look at these "harsh rules" that we are claiming we begin to see the bigger picture. Just like our earthly parents our Heavenly father knows what is best for us and knows the path each ones of us should be one. Sin is defined as: Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God, or in simplar terms anything that draws us away from God. God HATES sin and LOVES us, so he wants us to have nothing to do with such sinful acts that might distract our attention away from Him. All these modern day problems that we claim the writers of the bible could not of foreseen if actually researched can be solved (and should be solved) biblical. I found out a perfect example of this just this last week while studying the word in regard to an issue to me life.
     Before going into my findings I do need to explain the history behind it for my reader who do not know. I at this time in my life am rooming with my long time best friend Christian. The problem is that Christian is a girl, and is strictly a friend and the relationship is platonic. And without going to much into it, besides the fact I needed a roommate this friend needed to get away from Colorado and start a new life, and just as my aunt and uncle so graciously did for me I wanted to do for her as well. The issue with the situation is that living with a girl outside of marriage is wrong and border line sinful. At first I did not understand why my situation was so wrong, there was no sex...so why would it be wrong. I would never live with a girl outside of marriage if it were in a relationship but this was different. But then I began to search the scripture and pray on the issue. My final answer being: first off sexual immorality is ungodly and wrong. We are called to live a life free of sin and even having the appearance of sin in our lives. By living with a girl it has the appearance that we lived out of wedlock and could possibly be involved sexually. The other part of my answer made more sense, considering most people knew that our relationship was platonic. We are to stay awful from things that might cause another person to fall into sin. Being that I am somebody at church who volunteers, and dare I say looked upon, others might see me living with a female appropriate as long as there is no sex. Others though might not be as strong in the sexual will to abstain from sex and might fall into sexual temptations. And THAT is why it is wrong. Take it or leave it. But for my life, God has a different plan for me, or else this would not have happened.
    We are all called to stand out against the crowd. To live a godly life. God blesses those who do live such a life. We are his children and he is waiting to give us his inheritance. God sent his one and only son to come and die so that we might have eternal life. I think sometimes we need to step back and really let that soak in. For those of us who grew up in the church it becomes a fact, another passing statement of faith that we make. Or at least that's how I feel. I challenge you this week to step back and look at all that God has blessed us with. To look at our lives, are we living that pure life we are called to live? Are we ready to step in front of God with open hands and open hearts not ashamed of the lives we are about to present him? Ask for forgiveness for the transgressions that we have come across in our lives. Please don't read these challenges as if I am trying to sound commanding, these are challenges I also put forth for my own life. Our God is a God of love, but also a just and powerful God. Open your heart to him, let him shake your world.

I pray for you and your walk with Christ.