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Written by Gloria Copeland

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12).

If we want to enjoy the grace and power of God in one area of our lives, we need to be willing to have it in other areas. We can't selectively obey God in certain areas and not in others. We can't be holy in one area and not another. We have to give Him our entire lives.

If we want to enjoy the blessing and favor of God in our midst, then we'll have to receive the grace of God that teaches us to deny ungodliness everywhere.

The Apostle Paul says, "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:13-14).

Paul is telling us that although grace has freed us from the Law, it has obligated us to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will never condone sin in our lives. On the contrary, He will lead us to put to death immoral desires and activities.

If you will fellowship with God and stay in living contact with Him, the Holy Spirit will lead you into holiness. He will say to you, for example, Stop using that profane language. Use words that glorify the Lord. Or He'll say, Stop reading those worldly novels and read more of the Word.

Now that may sound like a legalistic requirement, but it's not. Here's why: It's the favor of God that He corrects us. He is teaching us how to live free.

Another part of that grace is that you don't have to do it in your own strength. Whatever the Holy Ghost asks us to do, He also empowers us to do. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that He gives us the strength to overcome every temptation.

That's why the New Testament speaks to us in such strong terms about holiness. Nowhere does it say, "Well, I know you Christians have been sinning a lot lately. But, hey, I understand. Life is tough and at least you're trying."

No! It just says, "Be ye holy" (1 Peter 1:15). We have no excuse for living unholy lives. Because by grace, God not only tells us what we need to do to be holy - He gives us the ability to do it!

And, I'm telling you, it is high time we started using that ability. We've reached the end of this age. Jesus is coming sooner than we think. It is time to get the slack out of our lives and become absolutely focused on God. It's time to drop everything that pulls us away from Him. It's time to get our flesh under control and yield only to the Holy Spirit.

Don't yield to the temptation that it's impossible to live holy before Him. That's a lie! He's empowered you and enabled you to succeed. He's given you His grace to see you through. Yield to obedience in every area. Yield to His Spirit. He'll lead you to holiness. He is doing you a favor.

Speak the Word: I live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present age. (Titus 2:12)

For Further Study: Romans 6:1-22

Daily Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 11-12; 1 Timothy 1

Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka:  Kenneth Copeland Ministries