For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. ~Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)
The Lord doesn’t tell us that it is good discipline that teaches us to live good lives. It says it is grace. Grace can be described as God’s power and ability operating in us and through us as believers. God's Holy Spirit administrates God's grace in the earth during this dispensation. It’s the Lord's grace that enables us to live supernatural lives and do supernatural things for His kingdom. We tap into grace to receive from God, and we tap into grace to become the people He has called us to be. Do you have a problem with ungodliness? How about worldly passions? Do you struggle with living a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this present age? Maybe you know someone else that does. Well, there is good news. God’s grace is not only available, but it can be multiplied to us. 2 Peter 1:2 tells us “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord”. (KJV) Multiplied grace is what we need to be able to make an impact in this world. That grace is exactly what Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when he quotes Jesus as saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV) Paul had a revelation of the grace of God. He understood the power of Christ within Him. That revelation of God’s grace working within him revealed to him that God could and would make up the difference between Paul’s inabilities and the Lord’s abilities. That revelation is exactly how Paul was able to confess in Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (NLT) Paul knew it was not by his own might or power that people around him were coming to the Lord, repenting and living godly lives. It was by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, just as the Lord had told Paul in Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (NIV)
Beating ourselves and others up when we don’t get it right is exactly opposite of what the bible teaches will bring change. It is mercy and love that transforms us into godly people. We received mercy and unmerited favor when we accepted Jesus as our Savior and received the grace that we needed to start living a godly life. The scriptures teach those who have been made free are free indeed. We have been made free from worldly behaviors to live godly lives in Christ Jesus. We are told to teach others what the Lord has to say about how we are to live. The best teachers are those who encourage their students in their capabilities. They are able to motivate because they inspire. Do you inspire others to live a self-controlled and godly life? Do you inspire others to walk away from the temptations to slander and criticize? Criticism and legalism will only perpetuate bad behavior. Mercy and forgiveness will provide a clean slate. God does it for us every day. His mercies are new every morning. Next time you have an opportunity to extend the “long arm of the law”, give mercy a try and see if it doesn’t bring more restoration and reconciliation in your life and in the lives of those you love.
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. ~2 Corinthians 5:19a (NLT)
How will you motivate and inspire others to live a godly life today?
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