It teaches
us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:12a, NIV)
I
remember some years back that the slogan for the then new anti-drug
campaign was “Just Say No”. I delighted
in telling people that this was not the first time that expression had been
used, but was in fact in the Bible. Of
course the campaign was only directed towards drugs and the verse above was
directed towards all ungodliness and worldly passions.
Another
difference, the campaign was dependent upon a person being able of themselves
to stand against peer pressure and not do drugs. The admonition in scripture was dependent
upon the grace of God. Here is the full
passage:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self
controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the
blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14, NIV)
God’s
grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions. It enables and strengthens us to no only say
no to them but also to resist their pull on our earthly natures. And that is not all. God’s grace also gives us the desire and
enablement to live upright, self controlled, and godly lives in the midst of
this present evil age.
We
have been redeemed (saved, rescued, delivered) from all wickedness by
Jesus Christ and are purified by Him to be a people dedicated to Him and who
are eager and enthusiastic about doing what is right and just and kind.
And
the Blessed Hope -- the glorious appearing of our God and Savior Jesus Christ
will soon be upon us!
