SAY “NO” TO THE WORLD Thursday - August 12, 2010
“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” – Titus 2:11-12
Holly Ordway was a highly educated atheist. "Smart people don’t become Christians," she thought. She used to think Christianity was "a historical curiosity" or "a blemish on modern civilization." She had no church background and no desire to have faith.
But the San Diego college professor began to change her viewpoint at age 31. "It is no light matter to meet God after having denied Him all one’s life," she wrote. "Coming to Him was only the beginning. I can point to a day and time and place of my conversion, and yet since then I have come to understand that He calls me to a fresh conversion every day."
"I had built myself a fortress of atheism, secure against any attack by irrational faith. And I lived in it, alone" said Holly.
Slowly that fortress fell and she realized the world did not bring meaning to life and only Christ brought purpose.
"The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. It is terribly painful to give up one’s sins and self-will, to allow one’s old self to be crucified along with Jesus ... But the way of the cross is also the way of life and peace."
We need to say “no” to the world and its passions and temptations. Only in Christ is there salvation. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you self-control and the strength to say "No" to the world and “Yes” to Jesus.
“What makes resisting temptation difficult, for many people, is that they don’t want to discourage it completely.” – Franklin P. Jones
God’s Word: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10
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