I just wanted to share some scripture God has laid on my heart just within the past day. These are taken from the Amplified Bible which you may find a little hard to read at first because it uses a LOT of words and brackets and parentheses, but it provides a more in depth look into the scripture by giving you definitions and synonyms in the brackets and parentheses.

This first passage I really think God showed me last night. I picked up my Bible and turned to where my bookmark was and there was this passage! It is so appropriate for my life and for the lives of some of my friends right now. It is in Titus and it speaks of how God's grace has saved us from sin and calls us to deny the ungodly things of this world and be excited about Jesus' returning. I really like the last part of verse 14 where Paul writes that Jesus' sacrifice was to purify us as His own people who want to live a life that is full of doing good things and striving for holiness and purity.

" For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.
Titus 2:11-14 AMP

This next verse I actually saw on Facebook today because it was the verse of the day on several people's profiles. This one can be tied into the last one as it speaks of sin but also being unable to be justified by the law. This scripture is very convicting for me and I feel like it should convict all of us as believers. The law that we are to follow as Christians cannot justify us or get us into Heaven but it's also not legalistic to follow or expect others to follow this law. We are to follow this law because we recognize our sin and that God has put rules in place to help keep us from future sin. Also, by knowing the law and in turn recognizing our sin we actually become acquainted with sin to a point where we work toward repentance. And true repentance is the when we realize our sin and turn from that sin!

" For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. "
Romans 3:20 AMP

Alright...that was my attempt at teaching. HA!

Labels: God, grace, law, purity, repentance, Romans, scripture, sin, teaching, Titus