It Starts Small

¹² instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.

Titus 2:12-14

Jesus is the great teacher.

He fervently inspired countless souls on the path of righteous living. His life, a radiant beacon, along with his profound words, continues to illuminate our journey. The presence of Jesus is with us. He empowers us to triumph over sin. We can embrace lives of unwavering virtue.

deny godlessness and worldly lusts

Often in Scripture, we are given a negative thing to avoid and a positive thing to pursue. That is true here as well. We are to renounce (deny) ungodliness and worldly desires but pursue sensibility (self-control), righteousness, and godliness.

The definition of Renounce is more than mere words; it is a bold act of declaring one’s complete abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession) and an emphatic rejection of what once was. When an individual first embraces Christ, it is imperative to renounce sin with fervor. Being a true disciple of Jesus means fiercely recognizing evil. It involves resolutely turning away from it. This often manifests in a passionate declaration to renounce sin and worldly passions. Yet, this is not just about saying the words; it is about undergoing a profound transformation in mindset. To make Christ Lord is to dismantle every idol that competes for our affection. He must be the utmost priority, taking the first place in our hearts. We choose Him over every temptation: alcohol, money, reputation, worldly success, and the hollow allure of immoral pleasures. We turn our backs on the empty offerings of the world!

Yet, a single, fleeting renunciation of these temptations is simply insufficient. The seductive pull of temptation may diminish after salvation, yet it does not vanish entirely. The profound essence of renounce encompasses “ceasing to use or consume.” Thus, there is a constant, daily commitment to deny the flesh. One must fiercely choose to elevate Christ above all else.

How can you fervently embrace the practice of renunciation of worldly desires in your daily life? How can you passionately train yourself to let the alluring distractions of the world dissolve further away? From where does the profound strength for denying sin originate?

live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way

We have just witnessed the shadows that a Christian must steer clear of. Now, let’s illuminate the radiant path a Christian should fervently chase! Titus 2:12 beautifully encapsulates the vibrant essence of how believers are meant to thrive in their lives. It is as straightforward as it is powerful. God passionately calls us not just to shun sin but to embrace a life overflowing with righteousness and godliness. Simply avoiding sin is not enough. It’s crucial to realize that if our only goal is to avoid sin, we may encounter a difficult journey.

Imagine a girl, her heart racing, sitting at a table with a tantalizing marshmallow gleaming in front of her. She has been told not to indulge, and yet the sweet temptation beckons her. With fierce determination, she covers her eyes and shuts out the world, chanting fervently, “Don’t eat it. Don’t eat it!” But the call of that marshmallow is powerful, and it won’t be long before her resolve wavers. Perhaps if she channeled that energy into something exhilarating, the struggle would fade away. She could run outside to embrace the laughter and joy of playing with friends.When we go toward something (Jesus), it is considerably easier for us to go away from sin.

² What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

God passionately calls us to embrace godly living! The Christian life isn’t merely about achieving monumental feats for God. It’s about glorifying Him through the simple lives we’ve been entrusted with. True Christian living joyfully focuses on pleasing Him in our everyday actions, even in the “small things.” Each day presents us with countless opportunities. We can respond to life’s challenges with self-control and godliness. Through this approach, we transform the ordinary into extraordinary acts of faith!

• Begin and end your day with heartfelt prayers, embracing each moment instead of diving straight into the digital world.
• With unwavering calm, help your toddler restore order when a glass of milk spills. This turns chaos into a learning experience.
• Graciously yield to a rude driver, demonstrating strength through kindness and embodying the power of compassion.
• Respond with warmth and gentleness when your spouse is harsh and unfair, fostering understanding and love amidst conflict.
• Listen with an open heart when someone shares advice or criticism; embrace growth and learning from every perspective.
• Dismiss the allure of your sports game and wholeheartedly engage in your child’s homework, nurturing their curiosity and confidence.

The list can go on forever. What would you add to it?

the present age

In many ways, the present age during that remarkable time was a stark contrast to our current reality. Technology was in its infancy, and nations were ruled by diverse governments, rich cultures, and deep-rooted traditions. Yet, the term “present age” can also encompass the entirety of the church age, revealing a profound connection across history. Astonishingly, the similarities between then and now are striking. One hundred percent of people back then grappled with sin, just as one hundred percent of us do now. Every individual faced temptations, and today, those temptations continue to besiege us. Believers stood firm against immense pressures and persecution from their families and workplaces. They also faced persecution from their governments and friends, mirroring our own struggles in this modern age.

Sometimes, believers find themselves crafting excuses for not wholeheartedly serving God. They claim it was easier to follow Him in the past—back in biblical times. They also believe it was easier in certain places like America, which they mistakenly label as a Christian nation! But let me tell you, that couldn’t be farther from the truth! No matter where we are, following God is always a challenge! Every country and era presents its unique temptations. Yet, these all circle back to the fundamental struggles outlined in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Living out verse 12 may seem daunting, but it is absolutely achievable! However, we cannot do it alone; relying on our own strength is futile! True godliness only comes through the incredible power of God! We must stay closely connected to Jesus. He reminds us of this in John 15:5. We should also be filled with the Holy Spirit, which fuels our journey as described in Galatians 5!

One of the most profound prayers you can ever utter is beautifully simple: “God help me.” This is a prayer we must fervently repeat in our moments of temptation. You cannot conquer temptation by your own strength; true victory flows only through Christ.

Let us get into the habit of saying, “God help me.”

Waiting for our blessed hope

We must eagerly anticipate the glorious return of Christ! Where do you anchor your hope? What ignites your deepest aspirations? What do you spend your waking moments yearning for or dreaming about? If our hope rests in anything in this world, such as wealth, career, or fame, we will inevitably face disappointment. It could also be in finding a partner or raising a family. People will let us down; money will never bring true fulfillment!

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[a] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

These verses passionately illuminate the hope that ignites the hearts of believers! Our blessed hope is that we will one day behold Christ. We hope that our sins will be utterly obliterated. We will dwell forever with Him in the heavenly realm. There, absolute holiness and uncontainable joy reign. This is the magnificent purpose of our existence—to glorify God and bask in His fullness! This hope, burning bright, far surpasses any fleeting troubles that may arise in this world.

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18

⁸ There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

We must not await that glorious day with ambivalence or reluctance; instead, we should eagerly anticipate its arrival! Are you excited for it? Do you fervently pray for it? When you see the overwhelming evil across the world, do you yearn for something brighter? Do you long for something purer, for the magnificent kingdom of God? Or, deep down, do you secretly wish for Jesus to delay His return? Maybe you want Him to wait until you marry. Perhaps you hope to start a family first, or achieve that long-desired promotion. Are you filled with dread at the thought of His imminent return, realizing you’re not yet prepared?

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also! Place your treasure in heaven by faithfully serving God. Watch as your heart aligns more passionately with Christ and His glorious return. If you find yourself wrestling with this, dive deep into the condition of your heart. Perhaps you’re not quite ready to embrace this truth. It may be time to repent of those hidden sins or detrimental habits and fervently seek God’s cleansing power. Consider if you’re truly serving Him with every ounce of your being. Reflect on the powerful parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). You must remember that His heart yearns for your whole-hearted devotion. He will not be pleased if you neglect this call when He returns.

Oh, how our hearts ache to resonate with David’s powerful declaration, “your love is better to me than life.” (Psalm 63:3) Our days on this Earth are but a fleeting moment, a priceless gift! While the joys of heaven await us, we must recognize that sharing the gospel is a sacred duty. We must embrace this duty wholeheartedly right now. Let us seize each precious instant and dive deeply into the mission of building God’s kingdom! Inactivity is not an option. We cannot afford to lounge on the sofa or remain glued to our screens. It’s time to rise up with fervor and passionately serve the Lord!

⁴ We must do the works of him who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.

John 9:4

How does anticipating the glorious return of Jesus ignite a fire within your soul today? Every moment holds purpose. We live in eager expectation of His arrival. Our everyday actions transform into profound expressions of faith. This expectation compels us to strive for a deeper connection with Him. It inspires us to spread His love with fervor. We stand firm in our convictions, knowing that each day brings us closer to that divine promise.

He gave himself for us to redeem

Jesus died for a reason. He died to redeem us from our sins. Jesus died so that He could purchase a holy people for His own possession, people who are zealous to do what is right.

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

If you are a believer, then you indeed belong to God! Are you fully surrendered to your Master (verse 9)? He bought us with His precious blood, a debt beyond our ability to repay. Yet, because He loved us first, how can we not love Him back with all our hearts? Everything we possess is His—our finances, our children, our time, and our very bodies. Too often, we foolishly attempt to separate our “real” lives from our spiritual existence. We offer God merely a fraction of our resources (10%) or just a snippet of our time (Sunday mornings). Remember, before God spoke creation into being, nothing existed! Without His boundless grace, we would vanish in an instant. God is the rightful owner of everything we hold dear. Withholding anything from Him is like stealing from our loving Creator.

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Cross-References

• 1 Timothy 4:7-8
• 2 Peter 3:11
• 2 Peter 1:5-8
• Galatians 5:24-25
• Matthew 24:44

Discussion Questions

• What are some examples of Jesus instructing us not to be ungodly and to avoid worldly desires?
• What were some features of the present age at that time? How about now? Which is easier to serve God in? Why?
• How does one renounce ungodliness and worldly passions? Is this a one-time thing or continuous?
• Knowing that the world around us is so evil, how can we live sensibly, righteously, and godly?
• How can you train in godliness?
• What is the blessed hope?
• Why did Jesus die on the cross to redeem us?
• How did Jesus purchase you?
• What does it mean to you that you are His possession?

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