Read:
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, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory 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)
Consider:
Waiting…the children of Israel waited hundreds of years for the Messiah to appear. As Christians, we longingly await for His second coming for we know that when He comes again, we will return with Him to Heaven. There will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no more illness, no more pain~all of the things that distract us today from living in His glory will disappear and we will see our Savior face to face.
This passage in Titus reminds us that the grace of God, Jesus, appeared that first Christmas and offers the greatest gift of salvation to each of us. But just because we accept His gift, that does not mean we continue to live as we did while we await His return. God’s grace continues to change our lives, preparing us to be His holy people today, “…while we wait for the blessed hope~the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior…”
The world around us beckons us to conform and do our best to fit in. But God invites us to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Godʼs will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) God’s Holy Spirit living within us transforms our hearts and minds and teaches us to say “no” to the world around us and live lives that are holy and pleasing to our God and Savior. It is Jesus who purifies us and makes us “his very own, eager to do what is good.”
This eagerness to do good does not always happen immediately after our salvation. Instead, the more time we spend with Jesus, communing with Him through our own personal Bible study and prayer, the more He transforms our hearts and minds. We aren’t simply waiting, doing nothing, for Jesus to return. Rather, God gives us this gift of time to journey into a deeper relationship with Him. He knows us intimately, but this waiting time allows us the opportunity to know Him more intimately.
This advent as you wait for Jesus’ coming, use your waiting time to get to know Him more. For we know that the more deeply and intimately we know our Savior, the more joyous the reunion when He returns for us!
Breathe:
Breathe in His love…exhale all your struggles…
God’s deepest desire is for you to know Him intimately. Take time today to pause and sit quietly in His presence. Then ask His Holy Spirit for guidance, open your Bible, and get to know your Savior.
Pray:
Jesus~we long to know You intimately. Help us as we await for your return to use our time wisely, living godly lives as You work transforming us into Your holy children. We invite Your Holy Spirit to teach us today…
Comment:
What is one thing you want to do today to get to know Jesus better while you are waiting?
I want to take time today to just sit quietly in God’s presence. To pause and take a deep breath of His goodness simply to remind myself that He is here with me in the midst of my day.