A Passion to Follow Jesus
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Introduction: Recently, I received a call, right after it happened, from a person whose almost new truck had been vandalized – the windows were shot out, busted, and shattered to pieces by bullets from a gun for no reason. Needless to say, they were irate…..ANGRY….we would say RED-HOT MAD! – understandably so….to the point charges were filed.
However, after praying and coming to Church, God began to work on the perpetrators along with this couple who experienced this dastardly deed. Days later, they called and things were made RIGHT! Charges were dropped…. restitution was made, all because they included the Lord Jesus in the situation. Troubles and trials are unavoidable, but having a “PASSION for Jesus” helps lighten the load!
• Being right is all because of God’s “AMAZING GRACE” which initiates salvation (Titus 2:11)
{“Salvation” is the word soterios – see Eph 2:8, 9}
• Doing right is all because of God’s “ABOUNDING GRACE” which activates separation (Titus 2:12)
2. A PASSION to follow Jesus in this life by LOOKING RIGHT! (Titus 2:13, 14)
“Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
• God’s Grace looks in the RIGHT place! (Titus 2:13)
• God’s grace trusts in the RIGHT person! (Titus 2:14)
{“Purify” is the word katharise, which means to cleanse}
Conclusion: Remember; it pays to follow Jesus! Not just as a “good luck charm” or a “spare tire” but rather, He calls us to have a “PASSION” (strong desire) to include Him in our life as our Lord & Savior! Then and only then, does He guide us, cleanse us, and fill us to live a supernatural life that cannot be humanly explained, but divinely experienced.
“I have decided to follow Jesus!”
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese