Grace to Say No!

 

Lighthouse Daily Devotional
4th April, 2025

Topic: Grace to Say No!

Text: Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age."

One of humanity's major challenges is how to live a holy and righteous life in a world that is perverse and opposed to righteous living. Morality often seems weak and unable to stand against the stronghold of wickedness that has subdued and enslaved many. Where do we turn when all hope seems lost? How can one resist evil? These pressing questions weigh heavily on the hearts of many.

The answer is the grace of God. The same grace that forgives and cleanses also empowers us to be victorious over sin and wickedness.

The grace of God is His inner working within us, producing holiness in our conduct. It is not an instantaneous transformation but a gradual, steady, and sure work of grace.

Grace is both a teacher and a trainer. It does not change us automatically, as some may think. Instead, it works within us by bringing counsel, instruction, correction, and rebuke, all of which lead to righteousness.

You must enroll in the school of grace, coming with the heart of a learner. The grace of God does not pamper sin or encourage anyone to remain in it, because sin does not glorify God.

As a student in this school, you must consistently enter God's presence. Fellowship with God is a prerequisite. It is in this fellowship that you are corrected, instructed, refined, and transformed. Without this, no real progress can be made in the school of grace.

Additionally, you must submit to the Holy Spirit, the teacher in this school. He is the one who takes from the Father and Christ and reveals it to us.

John 16:14 (NIV)
"He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."

The Spirit of the Lord imparts God’s wisdom, knowledge, power, and goodness to every student in this school. He works through the Word of God to remove every infirmity of the flesh. Many of our struggles stem from skipping classes in the school of grace. God has abundant grace available, but we can only access it when we consistently appear before Him. It is in His presence that we are strengthened.

Psalm 84:7 (KJV)
"They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God."

Sin defeats you when you have not learned how to draw strength from the Holy Spirit, the great teacher in the school of grace. He has abundant strength to give if you come to Him and ask.

It is this strength that empowers you to say no to sin. A believer is not a sinner and should never be comfortable with sin. The life in a believer is now the life of God, which hates sin. Therefore, a child of God should hate sin as well.

Yet, some Christians struggle with sinful habits. The reason is clear: they have not yet been trained in the school of God's grace. They have not yet discovered the power that enables one to say no to sin.

That power is available to you. Enroll today in the school of God’s grace and allow the Holy Spirit, the great teacher, to train you to reject all ungodliness and worldly lusts.

What are you waiting for? No more delay! Submit to the Holy Spirit now and enjoy the unforced rhythm of God's grace.

Matthew 11:29 (MSG)
"Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you."

Action Plan: Come to the great teacher, the Holy Spirit, today.

Prayer Point: Father, I come to the school of Your grace.

God bless you! TGIF!