The Choice to Deny 

"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly , righteously and godly in this present age," Titus 2: 11-12

Paul wrote to young Timothy, exhorting him to remember that the grace of God, that made our salvation in Christ Jesus possible, came with instructions for living.  We are instructed to deny ungodliness. It's our responsibility to leave the lifestyles that the world embraces and instead live godly. Paul is echoing the heart of the Savior! 

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." To follow the Lord Jesus Christ will cost us. It requires that we are willing to die to our flesh, to the world's alluring ways and follow Jesus. Selfish self interest must be laid at the foot of the cross. My will surrendered to His. We cannot follow the Lord Jesus Christ and live ungodly at the same time! 

Jesus also said, "No one after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."( Luke 9:62).  Instead of looking back with longing at the old self, the old way of life we once lived in the world, we are to look for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of  our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.      (Titus 2: 13) Where we look will determine how we live, here and now, in this present age.  If we do not choose to deny ungodliness we certainly will not live looking for the coming of the Lord. That after all would simply be "religious talk" we speak at church on Sundays. 

This is not speaking in any way of earning salvation but living like we are saved! Living like we actually believe what the Bible says is true. The Christian is never to blend in with the world! We are called to be different!  The next verse in Titus 2:14 tells us why..... "who gave Himself for us , that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession zealous for good deeds."

Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us, to buy us back from the dominion of sin, in order that we might be a people for Himself. That we might walk in intimate fellowship with Him enjoying His company. He didn't give Himself for us that we might continue to live as we once did, but now with a golden ticket in hand that says,   "get out of hell free." 

This reminds me that when I engage in behavior that is worldly and ungodly I am denying My Savior and living in the flesh. He purchased me out of slavery to the world and sin yet I willingly go back. He redeemed me to purify me for His own possession.  

The Christian is not to live in denial of his sin nature, but rather in a life of denying self and the world's ways. It is a surrender of self to the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Denying ungodliness is a choice.