Evidence of a redeemed life is a selfless heart. We serve Christ HIS way, not our way. “Selective service” is not an option.

1 The proverbs of Solomon…2 for attaining wisdom and discipline, for understanding…3 for acquiring a disciplined life…4 for prudence…knowledge and discretion…

Our mindset must be that His words are final. We cannot take the attitude that we can take some and leave some, or conform them to our will. Solomon learned this lesson from his dad, King David:

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11

It’s the “undivided heart” with which we struggle. Yet, that struggle is what makes us strong in the Lord because we must determine to be godly, we must listen to the Spirit and be intentional about our walk and our actions.

NOW, we are ready to study Titus 2:11-14.

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 [say “Yes” to the Spirit 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.

1. The grace of God has appeared in the flesh through Jesus Christ. This is a GREAT Christmas verse!
2. To whom? To all people. That’s important. Christ didn’t die for some (those who would trust in Him); He died for all (see Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26, 10:10, and particularly 1 Peter 3:18).
3. “This present age” and verse 13 we will discuss at another time.
4. Jesus is in the process of purifying for Himself a people that are His very own–the Church! Us!!!
5. “Eager to do what is good”- Are we eager to do what is good? Are we ready to live a self-less life and do things Christ’s way?

If we aren’t ready to allow Christ to be president in our lives and not just resident, then we will continue to be “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people [who are prompted by Satan] in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:14.

Instead, how about praying each morning David’s prayer to teach us His way and then walk in His truth? Are you ready for an undivided heart that fears the Lord–not unto punishment, but unto discipline? Discipline is our best evidence that we are God’s children! See Hebrews 12:4-13. Let’s get started!

Abba, I pray for my readers that they would have an undivided heart, that You would teach them to fear Your name, and to be all about You rather than themselves. Lord, You know I’m preaching to myself here. That psalm is my prayer every morning. Make it so in my life, O Lord. Amen.