Topic: Grace Teaches [23rd September 2018 Daily Devotional]
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”;Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)
I have heard some people say because there is grace now, I don’t have to obey anything. I don’t have to do anything, grace has covered me. No! In fact, grace teaches you. It teaches you to do right. Grace teaches you to love spouse. Grace teaches you to live right without struggle. If your experience with grace is not one where you are taught how to live for God, then it is not grace. 1 John 2:27 says “you would not need any man to teach you…” In other words, I will teach you myself. No one will need to teach you, because the Lord Himself, Who is Grace-personified, will teach you all truth, so that you abide in Him.
Grace teaches you to give without any struggle because you realize that God is your source. Grace makes you understand that your giving is not a case of “I must”, or out of compulsion; rather, it is because you want to, in response to what God has done for you. You give and make sacrifices because you trust Him. You recognize Him as your source. You don’t have to be supervised to give it. You know that He paid the price for you.
Grace doesn’t tell you: “Now that you are under grace, don’t give again”. Mind you, this is not in reference to financial giving alone – it covers all aspects of our lives – time, gifts, resources, skills, expertise, etc. Grace teaches that much more than anything else, you give more than you have ever given in time past, because you realise that you are saved to serve. God requires your talent. As a matter of fact, they are all His investments in your life. Why then, wouldn’t you use them to His glory? Everything belongs to Him.
Beloved, there is nothing that you own or you have achieved that should take the place of God in your life. God alone is your source. As He is your source, then you must learn to trust Him. Don’t play games with Him. He has done it all. He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. The least you can do is to respond by what you do for Him in appreciation. That is all! You don’t do anything to make Him do anything. He has already done everything, with or without you.
Further Reading: Titus 2:11-15, 1 Corinthians 10:15
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Song of Solomon 1-3; Evening- Galatians 2
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
