GraceLife Thoughts – Dangerous Times

Grace Thoughts

GraceLife Thoughts – Dangerous Times

Look around and what do you see? Depending on where you live you may see deep divisions among your fellow citizens. You may see opposition to Christianity, possibly to the point of severe persecution. Some of the Christians we are in contact with around the world have recently suffered the loss of loved ones and friends to martyrdom. Some have spent time in jail because of their Christian beliefs. Some have suffered the loss of property, homes, and businesses. This is not an easy time to be a Christian, much like Crete in the 1st century AD.

We live in a dangerous time in our world’s history. Evil is increasing in power and influence every day. It is hostile to the goodness of God and His people. As Jesus told His disciples — “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. NIV

It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age. AMP

… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. ESV

… instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age. CSB

No matter how Titus 2:12 is translated in English, we receive the same message. Christians must learn how to say no to ungodliness and worldly lusts and yes to living soberly, righteously and godly in this present age. We Must.