My Life-Long Process

April 8, 2021

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, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13 NIV

Salvation is not momentary. Through Jesus Christ, the grace of God has appeared, not just as a rescue from a burning building, or a life preserver extended when we are drowning. Salvation starts with accepting the grace of God for the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus, and then is a lifelong journey. It is walking with our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend, and receiving all that He wants to give us. This journey radically changes us.

Titus was an early church follower of Jesus, having met him through Paul. Paul wrote to him, encouraging him to engage everyone in this process. Paul had found through his own journey that the only way to beat the self-defeating behaviors that discourage us singly and as a community, the things that damage our witness to the world, is through this walk with Jesus. Every day of our lives we will have challenges. We often talk about the enemy’s attacks on us, and when we fail, a version of the old excuse, “The devil made me do it!” is normal. Paul reminded Titus that “this present age” was of course an ungracious host to followers of Jesus. But our environment does not have the power to overcome anyone who is authentically engaged in the journey.

Paul knew from experience that the world around us can be resisted. The letter to the Romans urges us to not let the world push us into its mold, but to be transformed. We CAN say a hearty “no” to our own passions and temptations to ungodliness. We don’t have to be swept away. It doesn’t matter what our surroundings are. If we are on the journey, engaged in the lifelong process of becoming like Christ, we will be empowered to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

What are we doing throughout this time? We are expectantly waiting for Jesus to fulfill ALL of His promises. We are expecting Him to keep His promise to return in glory and take us all to the forever home He has prepared. What do we do while we are waiting? Well, we do what good “waiters” do in a good restaurant. We serve. We meet the needs of others. We fulfill the command of Jesus to love others the same way He has loved us. It’s a lifetime process that results in lifetime joy, productivity, and enjoyment.

• Pray: Jesus, help me live in the awareness that You didn’t just rescue me for heaven. You saved me so I could become like You, a fully devoted follower. I want walking with You in a deep, life-altering relationship to be my defining characteristic. Nudge me when I get off track. Thank You for Your commitment to me. Amen.