11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our 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 lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
Let’s make completely sure that you know this. There is nothing, aside from the accepting of Christ sacrifice, that can make you good enough to enter heaven. It is only the mercy and saving grace of Christ blood that atoned for your and my sins.
Does this mean we do whatever we want? No. It expects a life lived in Christ where we are ever improving and moving upward toward the Father.
Our job is to imitate the Christ we meet in the scriptures and to continually work on our sinful condition. Without this, even if we may be saved, we have not improved, which is a goal we should all have set for every year after becoming a Christian.
Reflect on: What does your life in Christ look like this year verses last? Is it truly a new year, or just another year?
