Devotion for July 14, 2008

Looking for that Blessed Hope

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself [His] own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV)

The grace of God: what wonderful words those are for the believer. The unbelieving have no hope in them. They live a life in constant fear of His appearing. Some will boast they have no fear of God, but their days are spent trying to ignore the haunting reality.

They do this by seeking peace in worldly lusts. However, this is only a temporary distraction. Like the person suffering in pain the narcotic gives temporary relief but the wound is not healed. Unless the physician can heal the injury, the patient knows that death is approaching. With that final hour looming over the lost man’s head, he is driven to his pain-relieving lusts.

However, by the grace of God, believers are taught not to embrace worldly lusts but to deny ungodliness. Not just some believers but all believers as the text says. My dear friends it is this grace that sets you apart from the unbelieving. God is the One who has redeemed you from your sin. He purifies and makes you zealous for good works.

He also gives you hope. It is glorious how God peels away the blindness and fills the believer’s heart with truth. What was hidden is revealed, what could not be understood is known, and the believer’s outlook is changed from cowering to great joy.

Do not weary in your struggle with sin. Grace has put you in the battle. Hold on to that blessed hope looking to the day when He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”