“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” Titus 2:11-12 ESV
We are quick to receive grace, but slow in giving grace.
We are quick to receive grace, but slow in giving grace. Many times we want to live in the victory of the Cross without extending what comes from the Cross to others. We want to live under the grace and mercy of God, while refusing to give grace and mercy to others. It is due to our lack of being like Christ to others that many refuse Christ.
Due to our lack of being like Christ, many refuse Christ.
What God has given us, we are to give and share with others. We are to share the Good News of Christ. We are to love others as God has loved us. We are to be a blessing. We are to share Truth in love. We are to be Light-bearers. We are to do all this and desire that all would come to know God. However, many times we deflect such actions.
Rarely do we ever see the good in individuals, only the bad. Rarely do we give people a chance, only rule them out. Rarely do we pray for others, only for ourselves.
We live in troubling times. Most people are ruled by politics and government, and not many are ruled by the Spirit of God. Many are so willing to accept God’s Grace, but are not willing to extend it out to others. Instead, we sit on our lofty pedal-stools and believe that we are sovereign and have the right to condemn all things. Rarely do we ever see the good in individuals, only the bad. Rarely do we give people a chance, only rule them out. Rarely do we pray for others, only for ourselves.
It is easy to point out what is wrong with our government, our nation, the church and others. However, rarely are we honest with ourselves. If God’s helped us understand every sin we have ever done, we would be mortified. If He revealed every silent word uttered and hidden thought pondered, we would be entirely withdrawn and mortified. We would see that we ourselves deserve not one ounce of grace. Yet, we live in the present unwilling to practice grace or give grace. We quickly see problems resulting from circumstance or due to others, while refusing to take time to reflect on what lingers within and what needs to change.
People demand change from others, but they themselves are unwilling to change.
People speak out against the government, but don’t look within themselves. People demand change from others, but they themselves are unwilling to change. This sad irony reveals human depravity. It reveals the selfishness of man. We want comfort, pleasure, ease and our way, without walking away from that which we do that hinders and hurts others.
Those who never take time to reflect on what they have said and done in the past week; those who are unwilling to meditate on how they have used their time in the last month; those who continuously harden their hearts from rebuke, correction, and reproof will forever miss the mark. Instead of allowing temporal pain to bring about necessary change, many complain and sit in disdain. This lifestyle is not uncommon and dwells amongst the majority. Few there be who are willing to truly live out the call of God, rather than merely nodding their head at the Truth yet refusing to apply the Truth.
We are to be fruit bearers. We are to humble ourselves before Almighty God. We are to look toward the problems of this day and pray that God’s Spirit would move. For when was the last time we prayed for our leaders and those in government? When was the last time we prayed that God would convict them and lead them to true belief in Christ and genuine repentance of their sins? When was the last time we prayed that God would send a modern-day prophet to speak to them? When was the last time we prayed for our enemies and that God would bless them (Romans 12:14)? For Christ said in Matthew 5:44-47 (ESV):
““But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?””
Many let the truth that we shall never be perfect in this life give them the false belief that they can live as they please, do as they want and think they are saved. God has a word for such people: Lukewarm Christians.
If we are not praying, we are straying. If we are not extending grace, we are disgracing the name of Christ. No one is perfect, but most accept this reality with a proud heart. They let the truth that we shall never be perfect in this life give them the false belief that they can live as they please, do as they want and think they are saved. God has a word for such people: Lukewarm Christians.
Lukewarm Christians are those who believe the truths of God, but do not apply or practice the truths, let alone allow the Holy Spirit to convict them and change them.
Lukewarm Christians are those who believe the truths of God, but do not apply or practice the truths, let alone allow the Holy Spirit to convict them and change them. Lukewarm Christians are no Christians at all. They are those whom God says, “because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16 ESV).
Bad leaders, corrupt government, and wicked men give us the opportunity to humble ourselves and pray for those who are just as undeserving of salvation as us. Many people have cursed the names of Trump and Biden, but few there have been who have prayed for those they have cursed.
Bad leaders, corrupt government, and wicked men give us the opportunity to humble ourselves and pray for those who are just as undeserving of salvation as us. Many people have cursed the names of Trump and Biden, but few there have been who have prayed for those they have cursed. James 3:8-10 (ESV) says, “no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10 ESV
On that Final Day, will we see that we were people who strived to give grace as much as we were willing to receive Grace? May our hearts be transformed by God for the things of God. May we not be ruled by temporal externals which serve no merit.
God is the Ultimate Judge. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”” (Romans 12:19 ESV). In this day and age of self, who will humble themselves? Only time will tell, and only the Holy Spirit can help us be the revealed testimony of God’s transformative power.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Him Who sits on the Throne, Who rules over the earth and the Heavenly realms, Who by His Word spoke all into existence, we humble ourselves before You. By Your Grace, we are saved through faith. O God, help us to give grace as much as we are willing to receive Grace. Keep us from the ways of the world and being ruled by things that do not matter and ultimately will not last. You have the Final Word. Help us to humble ourselves and pray for all, God. For we desire to change. Help us to change, Holy Spirit. We seek for our nation and people to turn back to You. Give us the strength, Holy Spirit, to pray that You would turn them towards You. For it is not by our power, our might, our creativity, our arguing, our complaining, or ourselves, but it is by Your Spirit that we will see a mighty move of You in our day. O God, forgive us of being swept into the swamp of carnality, complaining, and complacency. Teach us to pray. Help us to make use of the time, that we may gain a heart of wisdom and live according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine