“For God’s grace, which brings deliverance, has appeared to all people. It teaches us to renounce godlessness and worldly pleasures, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives now, in this age; while continuing to expect the blessed fulfillment of our certain hope, which is the appearing of the Sh’khinah of our great God and the appearing of our Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. He gave himself up on our behalf in order to free us from all violation of Torah and purify for himself a people who would be his own, eager to do good” (Titus (Tit) 2:11-14). Folks really do not want to learn. They would rather keep the same understanding and stick to their old routines and habits even when there are better ways. I spent a long time superficially looking for a better way. By that I mean I told myself I was looking for a better way while I was too mired into the muck of my habits to actually ever change. I was gluing feathers to me and deciding that made me a chicken rather than making actual change to my life. Changing my ways. Repentance. That is a really important first step in becoming someone and something new.
God’s grace teaches us all to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives NOW. See, it isn’t about us when we die. It is about us right here and now living the life of Jesus out on earth. I tire so much of folks being told to say a simple prayer and then you’re all good. Jesus did not go around preaching the Good News of saying a little prayer. He went around teaching people how to live out His Kingdom, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim , immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh , and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age” (Mattityahu (Mat) 28:18-20). Teaching them to obey everything I commanded you by making disciples of the world by teaching them to follow. And the best tool for teaching is a good example. I need to follow Him first before I can teach others to do the same.
Are we teaching others to be like Jesus or to be like us? Jesus showed us an example to follow of sacrifice and service. Too often churches are filled with folks dressed to impress during service that can not be bothered with serving others. It is a situation that permeates our society and our American culture. A situation of folks looking to elevate themselves, stick to their routines, and serve themselves rather than sacrifice and serve others. A society and culture focused on the individual rather than community and service is going to distort the Good News and make it all about ourselves. Jesus did not come to save Himself. He was good. He came to make sure we could become good. And we shouldn’t be looking to save and serve ourselves BUT others. Repentance is not a single prayer and walking the same path. Repentance is a drastic change of ways. Repentance is taking up His cross and following Him obediently wherever He leads. Repentance is uncomfortable because it leads to change. Are you comfortable or are you changing?
Serve His Kingdom by serving one another in love.
Grace and Shalom to your home. The Kingdom of God is now!
I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!
