Back to Basic

Back to Basic   8 Dec 2012

     Sometimes, we tend to forget how much the Lord has done for

us. We tend to lose the sense of wonder and appreciation of just how

gracious, kind and loving God has been to us. We forget that without

the grace of God, we would be eternally lost in our sins, destined for

hell and eternal punishment.

     We need to get back to the basics again: How did God show His

love for us? What did He do for us? I think there are no better words

that can describe this fully than the words of Scripture itself.

     In Titus 3:3-6, we read this wonderful statement: “For we ourselves 

alsowere sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts

 and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one

 another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour

 toward man appeared [this is a restatement of v.12], Not by works of

 righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he

 saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy

 Ghost: Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our

 Saviour.”

     Can you see in these words how gracious and wonderful the

 Lord has been to us? This grace of God is so much more than

 anything you and I have ever received or can ever receive from

 anyone. And what makes it all the more amazing is that you received

 it even though for being a sinner filled with ungodliness and worldly

 lusts, you deserved the very opposite from God. How can it be? How

 can it be?

      We may never be able to fully understand what made God so

 gracious and merciful to us, but this one thing we do know: such

 great grace surely deserves a good response from us. Such great

 grace must surely induce us and instruct us how to respond to it in an

 appropriate manner. And how should we respond to that grace that

 has been shown to us? How can we repay that kindness? Titus 2:12

 gives the answer plainly and clearly: “It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"