Our Instruction

Our Instruction 

by David Brenneman 

‭"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," Titus 2:11-12.

What do you see in this passage?

Me? A lot. Grace...have learned a way of remembering this long ago. God's Riches At Christ's Expense. God's unmerited favor.  Getting benefits in life that we absolutely do not deserve.

Bringing salvation to all men.  Living life in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  Your life is a testimony as to who you live for.  If you're living unto Jesus then it should reflect that.  I have heard it said that you should always be ready with your testimony...and if necessary...use words. 

Purpose.  Instructing us in a particular way.  Teaching as the Disciples were taught. As they were taught and taught others throughout the world for centuries, so we are to live move and have our being.  

What is being taught? To deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.  

Let's dig deeper if you dare. 

When worldly desires or ungodliness are present...do you ever put up a fight?  Sometimes someone confronts someone, they get ignored and it's called them getting denied.  Do you fight at all against the things that are after your time and attention that aren't Godly?  

Do you seek what it is that God's word says is beneficial to your life in Christ?

It's really ironic that the worn out phrase "I'm not hurting anyone" in fact hurts the speaker in ways that can't be measured.  "It's not that bad" comes in a quick second. "It's only being done in fun". "I know what I am doing" is a nail biter. 

We can and always will be our own worst saboteur of our relationship with Jesus.  It's not entirely the fault of Satan's minions.  

We do ourselves the most harm.

‭"And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27.

Perhaps it's in small ways in your life or perhaps you've done so much for so long without considering the truth of God's word regarding worldly desires and the conflict it brings with a life in Godliness that you're numb to it.  

Are you numb to the things of God?

Are you actively listening to the Spirit?  Are you even trying to list for the Spirit of God to talk to you?

Look around your world, your hobbies, your job, your things that you embrace that you call entertainment.  Do these things glorify God or you?  Are you seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness or your own?

Jesus said you can't serve two masters.  You will cling to one and abhor the other. Love one and hate the other. 

There's a single throne in your heart.  Who's sitting in it?  The throne of your heart is the pilot's seat.  The pilot is the absolute master of the plane.  What he says goes. He establishes the path, the altitude, the speed.

Get the picture yet?  It's not to be us.  We are struggling so much in life and much of it is avoidable. 

We're not to "give" God a few hours on a Sunday then run our own business the rest of the week.  

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." ‭2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Would you even recognize what ungodliness is?  Would you ever acknowledge what amounts to idolatry?  The teaching of the Spirit is timeless.  What He began teaching over 2,000 years ago is as absolutely relevant, is absolutely relevant today.

Taking inventory of your life is essential for a life in Christ.

Stop what you are doing and do more than give Jesus your leftovers and hand-me-downs. 

A life in Christ Jesus is a 24/7 365 day life.  

An instructed life in Christ will display the works of Christ in each of us.  

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.