A dear friend from my past had multiple sayings that he utilized conveniently. Among the many was: “My minds made up! Don’t confuse me with the facts.”
I loved it because in working together it became his method of re-evaluating a situation, seeking input that would justify pursuing another direction, and then resting in the conclusion reached. We seldom, if ever, argued and I made it a point to thank him for what I learned under his tutelage.
During my reading of recent, I focused on the statement Paul makes to Titus in 2:11 and the verses following. “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 the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Following the apostles thought pattern, one is made aware of things that are an end result of comprehending the GRACE OF GOD that had “appeared” and extended to man an “about face” from the degraded position of sin, to the new life imparted through grace! Some have endeavored to tell us how they were “born again”, “saved”, but when there is no evidence of a transformation from “ungodliness and worldly desires” a large question arises, thus the instruction to “live sensibly, righteously and godly”. Further, there is the contrast with the past, and now to the life in Christ: Christ gave Himself for our redemption, for our purification, for His possession of us to be zealous of Him for good deeds.
So enamored with Him who did these things on our behalf, let us never be ashamed to speak of Him with authority. Encompassed in that thought is to be the living testimony, so much so that people find “no disregard for you”!
Hopefully, together, we will see the seed thoughts of the Apostle as worth pondering and profitably embracing.
ETCetera 