11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
Dear heavenly Father, your grace “appeared” in my life like the sun burning through the bleakest skyline; like an artesian spring in the middle of the driest desert; like the command Jesus spoke to Lazarus, “Come forth,” while I was dead in my sins and trespasses. You brought your saving grace to me, for there’s no other way I could have found it. I praise you for the irresistible, indefatigable, inexhaustible grace you have poured out on us generously in Jesus. Grace for all people—non-believers and believers alike, for none of us is beyond the reach or the need of your grace.
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…
Now that we’ve been justified by your grace, we’re being taught, trained, and transformed by the same grace. You get all the credit. There’s no other way we could ever become like Jesus. Father, thank you for working in us both to will and do the things that honor you. Thank you for calling us to live by the rhythms and pace of grace—saying “Yes” to more of Jesus, and “No” to the things that dishonor you, and rob us.
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (NIV)
And what a blessed hope you have given us— Father, thank for your commitment to complete the good grace-work you began in us. When Jesus returns, we will see him as he is and we will be made completely like him! Until then, keep burning the dross from our lives; keep rescuing us from under-believing the gospel; keep intensifying our love for holiness, beauty, and good works. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.
