Living a Life for God

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our 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 lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11‭-‬14

Background of text:

Titus is a book in the Bible that encourages Titus to supervise and encourage the church towards Christ, by setting a good example. Paul writes this letter to Titus, he is one of Paul's closest friends. Paul knew that church must be based and built on Christ, not a person, and this is what Paul was reminding Titus.

Though Paul was writing to Titus at the time, that does not mean that this doesn't apply to us, now. It shows us what examples we need to be, lives we need to live, and how to be a leader. Though, Titus was the leader of a church in Crete, as memebers of a church, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ as well. We have been instructed to turn from godlessness and sinful pleasures, and have been called to salvation. It says that we should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.

(Titus 2:12) When I think about it, this world is making it harder and harder to live a life devoted to God. I mean, they're not allowing you to bring your Bibles to school, pray in school, and in some cases even mention His Name at school. But, we need to live a life devoted to Him as best we can. We are told we will have trials in life, we are not promised an easy life.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."John 16:33

There's also James 1:2

Back to Titus, we are called to live a God devoted life, and that includes through our struggles as well, set an example, for the believers and nonbelievers. It then goes on to say that He died for us, so that we can be free from sin, and be committed to doing good. Yes, doing good does not save you, but sinning doesn't either. If you are devoted to God, you shouldn't want to go and do bad things, you should strive to set a good example, and one way you can do that is by doing good things.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9

So, we are not saved by good works, but saved by grace, but good works bring glory to God, and set good examples. In summary, live a God devoted life and set good examples for believers and nonbelievers. Good works do not save you, but they do bring glory to God, and reflect Christ.