Vice to Virtue

2009 Continuing Series ~ Transference
Based on John 3:30: "Jesus must increase, I must decrease"

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,
[Tit 2:11-12]

The grace of God that brings us salvation also teaches us to say "No!" A grace that also allows us to put off sinful attitudes and practices. A grace that allows us to put on the virtues of Christ. A grace that we may turn from strongholds that produce destruction to pursue a holiness that bears the Fruit of the Spirit.

Who can grasp all that is grace? Who can comprehend it? Not I!

By it I am saved. By it I live. By it I am changed.

"No!" to ungodliness. "No!" to worldliness. Jerry Bridges has written this of ungodliness; "in its broadest form basically comprises disregarding God, ignoring Him, or not taking Him into account in one's life. Its a lack of fear and reverence for Him......But now that we have been delivered from the dominion of sin and brought under the reign of grace, grace teaches us to renounce this attitude (as well as actions) of ungodliness."

Read further in this passage Paul wrote to Titus to uncover another great truth:

who gave himself for us

to redeem us from all wickedness

and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,

eager to do what is good.

[Tit 2:14]

He redeemed us from the punishment of death for our sins but also from wickedness and to purify us that we may be His. That we will be eager to do what is good -- verses evil.

I eagerly want what God wants - what Paul strived for - what Christ died for - to be holy and to do good. I am in dire need of God's grace to live in this present age and renounce all that daily assaults us "while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing our our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." [Tit 2:13]

To walk with Him and for Him to increase, sin must be vanquished. To claim to abide in Him is to live as He did. It is to deny those vices and allow the power of His Spirit to deliver us from their hold. Then to live by the grace that produces His character and His fruit.

"the one who says he abides in Him

ought himself to walk in the same manner

as He walked."

[1 Jn 2:6 NASB]

I am willing to be transferred from vice to virtue ~ by God's grace. And this transference = transformation; for where there is Jesus, there is change.

Perfect Lord Jesus; I don't want to just know about you and be puffed up with knowledge that is not profitable but leads to boastful pride, I want to be like You. I want to exhibit godly character. By God's grace I say "No" to worldliness and ask to put on Your nature. Demolish every vice and place in its stead virtue.