“…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. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” (Titus 2:11-15)
GOD HAS REDEEMED US AND MADE US HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, WHAT DO WE DO TO MAINTAIN THIS?
WE MUST LIVE,
- SOBERLY: sōphronōs: with a sound mind. Have you ever heard someone say something like this, “I can’t help it, that is just how I am and how God made me.” This way of thinking is very unfortunate since it denies the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change lives. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed (being like everyone else) to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō: meta=change, morph=form) by the renewing of your mind, that YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD.” (Rom. 12:1-2) God miraculously changes our form, like a caterpillar to a butterfly! From what we were to what GOD WANTS US TO BE .
- RIGHTEOUSLY: dikaiōs: properly, as is right before God. “…the LORD knows the way of the righteous…He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psa. 1:3, 6) “…seek first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)
- GODLY: eusebōs: piously, religiously. showing reverence for God and devotion to worshiping Him. A devout or religious person. “Saul (Paul) was consenting to Stephen being killed. And pious men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.” (Acts 8:1-2 DARBY) “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is Pure and UNDEFILED RELIGION before God and the Father is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in their trouble, and to KEEP ONESELF UNSPOTTED from the world.” (James 1:26-27)
-Bill Stockham