Just Say No
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age . . . . (Titus 2:11-12 NKJV)
You're late for work. So you throw on some clothes and hit the road. The speed limit is 35 mph, but you're in a hurry, so you don't mind going over by a few. Up ahead, you see an intersection. The light is green . . . now yellow . . . now . . . now you gun it! Again, you're not bothered because you're in a hurry. The trend continues until you notice the flashing lights in your rearview mirror. At this point, you have a choice: stop and submit, or go for the gusto. You hit the accelerator! Your pursuer calls for backup, and before long you've got the entire police department, the sheriff's office, the National Guard, and the Navy SEALS on your tail. With frenzied abandon, you speed on!
Finally, someone shoots out one of your tires and your car screeches to a halt. Guns from every direction are drawn, and in your side-view mirror, you see an imposing figure approaching. You roll down your window, and through your anxiety, you do your best to explain: Officer, I'm so sorry. I was, I was late for work, and I don't know how it happened, but I . . . . The officer stoops down, looks you in the eyes, and in a steady voice says, I'm giving you a warning. Don't ever do that again. Here, let me help you change your tire.
How would you leave that scene? Would you peel out and continue to break the law? Or would the grace you've been given make you drive like you are sixteen-years-old and taking your road exam? The urge to speed is still there, but the demonstration of grace should have taught you to just say no to what's wrong.
God's grace is infinitely greater than the grace in this story. He sacrificed His beloved Son on our behalf so that we could have eternal life (John 3:16). We need to meditate on God's amazing grace when we're tempted to do what's wrong because it's the only thing in this world powerful enough to make us just say no.
DIG - How should we respond to God's grace?
DISCOVER - How can you remind yourself of God's grace when you're tempted to do what's wrong?
DISPLAY - Memorize Titus 2:11-12.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
Visit the Active Word website at: http://www.activeword.org/