Advent
December 22, 2016

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Impiety = properly, a lack of respect, showing itself in bold irreverence – i.e. refusing to give honor where honor is due. *

Jesus came to bring salvation for all, not just a chosen few. He asked, commanded, us to make that our mission for life. Each time we show a lack of respect for anyone, we show a lack of respect for Jesus. Jesus did not send us forth to force anyone to do anything. We are called to tell his story and to let our lives be a living testimony to his love as we live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

It is easy to say; I love everyone; it is much harder to live it. Nowhere in the Bible does it say, hate the sin, love the sinner. We are called to respect each person as he or she presents themselves to us. The genuine nature of our response to someone is the primary introduction to positive communication. The Bible illustrates this in its reporting of all of Jesus’ interchanges with the vast array of people he encountered along the way.

As we examine ourselves this Advent season, let us be aware of our internal response to others we encounter. If our first reaction is negative, pray about it. Seek understanding regarding what in our lives caused such a response. Let us give the negativity to God and ask God to clear our being of preconceived notions that hamper communion with others.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a better understanding of my prejudices and free me from their stranglehold. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/763.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.