NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Tuesday, 14th December, 2004
We now turn to the lessons taught in the classroom of Mr Grace. Before we even get to his instruction though, there are two things said about those who sit under his instruction.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
Two aspects of this passage seem almost taken for granted. We are already to be:
Denying ungodliness
Denying worldly lusts
Sadly, these especially at Christmas time many of us a hard time doing this. “Piety”, the opposite of the ungodliness above, is almost a bad word today. Even Christians don’t seemingly want to be know as pious. And “denying worldly lusts”? This time of year, which should remind us of the gift of the grace of God has sadly become the time of year when even Christian families indulge rather than deny the flesh. In the mad rush that is modern Christmas hundreds, and maybe thousands of euro (or pounds, or dollars) will be spent to satisfy, not needs, but our every desire.
How important is it to you to “deny ungodliness”? Can your friends see the difference in your godly behaviour? Do they see you caught up in the mad materialistic rush to satisfy your worldly lusts?
Think of the impact we could make this time of year if our focus was on the marvellous grace of God instead of the “things” of the season.
Are we willing to take a cold, hard look at ourselves to see how our lives match up to the standard?
We now turn to the lessons taught in the classroom of Mr Grace. Before we even get to his instruction though, there are two things said about those who sit under his instruction.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
Two aspects of this passage seem almost taken for granted. We are already to be:
Denying ungodliness
Denying worldly lusts
Sadly, these especially at Christmas time many of us a hard time doing this. “Piety”, the opposite of the ungodliness above, is almost a bad word today. Even Christians don’t seemingly want to be know as pious. And “denying worldly lusts”? This time of year, which should remind us of the gift of the grace of God has sadly become the time of year when even Christian families indulge rather than deny the flesh. In the mad rush that is modern Christmas hundreds, and maybe thousands of euro (or pounds, or dollars) will be spent to satisfy, not needs, but our every desire.
How important is it to you to “deny ungodliness”? Can your friends see the difference in your godly behaviour? Do they see you caught up in the mad materialistic rush to satisfy your worldly lusts?
Think of the impact we could make this time of year if our focus was on the marvellous grace of God instead of the “things” of the season.
Are we willing to take a cold, hard look at ourselves to see how our lives match up to the standard?