Session 8

You’re not on your own

From Titus: An 8-Day Devotional

Try to lift a pickup truck on your own with your bare hands. Can’t do it? Think it's crazy to be asked to do something you obviously cannot do on your own?

Paul felt a little like this when he wrote to the Christians in Crete in Titus 3. “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4-5). Paul wanted to remind these Christians, and Christians to come, that nothing they did could bring them salvation or fulfillment.

Remember, Christian, you are not saved because of anything you have ever done. Your actions lead you to one place alone: hell. But remember this too: God loves you so much He made you. God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you. It’s because of God’s love for you and your recognition of Christ’s sacrifice for you that you are saved.

We often fall into this crazy pattern of believing that if we act a certain way or refrain from saying certain things, God will love us more, and we will find the fulfillment of salvation. That mindset is as crazy as trying to lift an entire truck with your bare hands! When we let our actions determine our relationship with God, all we will ever see is failure. When we let God take control and accept His mercy in saving us from sin we could never get rid of ourselves, we will find fulfillment.

Reflect:

• Is there an area in your life that you are trying to control that you need to give to God so He can take care of it for you?
• Your actions don’t bring you closer to God; your relationship with Him does. When was the last time you took time to enjoy being in a relationship with God?
• Has there ever been a moment when you gave your life to Jesus, and began a relationship with Him? If not, you can do it today.