“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,”Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)
Our Lord who came as a babe into this world, which we celebrated as Christmas, is going to come back again to take us home. So we are looking up in the cloud, where we all will be caught up in the twinkle of an eye. Our bodily redemption will take place as we receive immortal bodies. We should be excited about this more and rejoice than worrying about this world and what to do with it. If you are not excited now about seeing the Lord face to face, then when are you going to? So live soberly, righteously and godly.
Soberly: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 (NKJV) So soberly means to know who we are and be level headed and operate to the measure of faith God has given to each one and to serve others.
Righteously: “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;” Romans 3:21-22 (NKJV) Let us not strive to be righteous but just receive the gift of righteousness of God given to us by putting our faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and act with the firm foundation that we were already made righteous in the sight of God.
Godly: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) We should set ourselves apart from worldly way of doing things. We should live our day to day life in the godly way, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ, with love and power.
Jesus prayed, ““I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17: 9, 11, 14-18 (NKJV)
Amen. Thank You Lord Jesus!