“For the Internet that brings connection has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘Yes’ to YouTube and Facebook, and to live me-controlled, self-indulgent and quick-fix lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed ‘beep’—the glorious appearing of our friend on MSN.”
When a friend created this quote, by replacing some words in the NIV version of Titus 2:12-13, and shared it with us, it made us laugh! Yet, after the laughter, we were reminded of a sobering reality: That’s not the way we ought to live. Rather, God’s Word states: “We are instructed [by the grace of God] to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
As believers in Jesus, we’re to be people instructed by God’s grace, not Google. Titus 2:12 teaches us that God’s grace in Christ is the true basis of instruction and motivation for the Christian life.
By God’s grace, Jesus took our punishment and died for our sins. He died so that we could become the people God wants us to become (Titus 2:14). The cross is a testimony to the fact that God’s grace can change our hearts no matter what we’ve done. It also reminds us that we’re never good enough to not need it.
The grace of God calls us to turn from the wrong things in life to obedience and the right stuff. It’s more than the basic definition of “unmerited favor.” For it’s not only unmerited favor to have God’s life in us; we also experience unmerited power to live God’s way for Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 103:1-22
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:10 to see the effect God’s grace had on the apostle Paul’s life.
Next:
Where do you find instructions for life— God’s grace or Google? How have you been responding to His grace?
tom felten on May 16, 2011 at 9:35 am
Poh Fang, interesting contrast! Yes, it’s vital that we live out of God’s grace and not out of our own “wisdom” or the values of the world. When I think about the Internet, there is much good to found there, but also much trash and time-wasting stuff. It’s a sobering wake-up call to consider the number of hours we spend each week surfing the Web compared to the number of hours we consciously are growing in our knowledge of God and His grace.
winn collier on May 16, 2011 at 2:07 pm
To live “with wisdom [and] righteousness” … that is a powerful duo. That requires attentiveness, though, doesn’t it? I recognize how easily distracted I am…
zero_g on May 16, 2011 at 6:33 pm
The Internet gives us many more opportunities to become closer to God. When we limit our time online. When we pick and choose our ‘friends’ wisely. When we battle the opposition by choosing the right news feed to read. When we encourage others online. When we share our feelings with others who care for us. When we witness God at work altruistically though the .org domain. We have so many opportunities to grow closer to God via the Internet, but just like anything in life we have to use the word of God to guide us in it’s proper use.