Grace: Saving & Keeping

[Titus 2:11-12]  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..."

Are you saved?  Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you believe that by the grace of God you are one of his children?

Well I have news for you... that SAME grace was given to help us to live the right lifestyle!

When I was introduced to this scripture by my pastor on Sunday, it hit me like a brick.  I was leaving the salvation part up to Christ, but the living right part I was trying to do it on my own.  Saying no to worldly passions? Ha, I thought it had to be up to me to keep it together, and I kept failing God and myself everytime.  But this scripture has taught me that if I believe that the grace of God has set me free, I must believe that the same grace can help me live a life that is pleasing to Him.

So it is not an excuse for us to say that we are saved, but living right is just a mysterious land that simply cannot be done.  We've got to believe the WHOLE thing.  Not only does grace save, but it keeps!  And if we don't believe grace can keep us, how can we believe that grace can save us?

Now the letter to Titus continues [v. 13&14]:

"...while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us all from wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Isn't that something good to look forward to? Aren't you eager to do what is good? Well I am.  And the grace of God will help me to say "NO" to what isn't.