Strength in Grace

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ 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

It is often said that "you don't get good to get God, you get God to get good." So many times, people hold back on their decision to receive salvation because they think they are not yet good enough. This verse shows us that it is the grace of God that teaches us to say no to the things we once desired.

Being saved is a learning process. The first step is accepting Christ. The rest of our lives should be spent learning from the Holy Spirit and striving to remain pure. This happens in steps and levels. With every accomplishment, God will ask a little more of us. He doesn't expect everyone to be at the same point at the same time. God may be asking me to give up something that He has not yet asked a new Christian to give up. It is through the edifying and building up of our Spirit that we gain the strength to do more and more for the Lord. This takes time.

The important thing is that every day a Christian is striving to do all they can for that particular day to please the Lord. Each of us are running a race, but it is not the exact same race. Keep looking to the Lord who has redeemed us and remain eager to do good!