Reading: Titus 2:11-14, 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who 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.
Why would Paul say in this passage that “grace… teaches us to say ‘No’”? How would “grace” teach that within us? Grace is defined as unmerited divine favor or receiving a benefit that is not deserved. In explaining his point, Paul restates the immense grace that we have been given, “[He] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify…” Yet, again, how does this teach us to say, “No”?
Right out the sin(s) with which you continue to struggle in the following space:
Now, review the list that you have written out. Every time that you are either tempted or actually fall to this sin today, imagine hearing the steal head of a hammer slamming down on a spike. As your eyes search your surroundings, let your eyes come to rest on Jesus, with His body torn and bleeding, lying on his back on the cross, with a Roman soldier holding a hammer in his hands while looking straight at you, as if He was getting his cue from you to slam the hammer down again. When you truly understand that it is that sin that put Jesus on the cross, it teaches us to say, “No” to that ungodliness and worldly passions.
What can you do today to say, “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passion?
REVIEW
Review your list written above, were you able to say, “No” to your areas of temptation today?
How did maintaining this focus impact your ability to say, “No”?
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