"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"
Titus 2:11-12 NIV
God, through Christ, offers salvation to all people because He loves us. What does salvation mean? We are saved from are own debilitating ways. Sin separates us from God's love so He developed the only plan that could bring us back into a relationship with Him. He let Jesus die in our place to pay for our sinful lifestyles. Sin debilitated us by keeping us from reaching God, accessing heaven, and growing to our greatest potential. God's grace restores what sin destroys - for those who will accept God's offer.
The awesome thing about salvation is how it teaches us how to say "No". When we give in to the passions of this world or to behaviors that displease God, we lose control of our lives - in many cases we give up control. The world tells us that if we do not say Yes to its standards for living then we must be uneducated and backwards in our thinking - that we are not living in our present age. What the world fails to see, because sin makes people look inward, is the ageless grace of God which transcends all time.
God's grace restores control. It restores an understanding of what living upright means. Upright lives are lives without fear of condemnation from others or from the Devil. Godly living means we learn how to appreciate a personal relationship with God and live in a manner that pleases Him.
The next time you find your life spiraling or the next time depression tries to enter your life, check your No. Are you saying No to the things that take control of your life away from you? Learn to say Yes to God and live in control. It's a life lesson you will truly appreciate the longer you live it.
Live life. Love Christ.
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