Take Your Position : Pastor Clyde Hammond

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. - Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)

Growing to maturity is a part of life. This is true not just on the physical level, but also on the spiritual level. When we are born again, God saves us by grace; He then immediately begins working in us to grow us up from spiritual infants to fully mature adults in Christ. He does this through the Holy Spirit, Who demonstrates to us God’s infinite love and Grace (His undeserved favor).

An ungodly lifestyle is one in which we don’t involve God in anything we do. God’s grace enables us to deny ungodliness and put Him first. One of the biggest challenges believers face is living in a cynical world that doesn’t believe in God or that Jesus will soon return; considering this, we must focus on Him and not on what’s all around us. This involves being on guard against worldly influences and refusing to love a wicked environment that disregards God. Accepting the wisdom that grace makes available to us allows God to teach us the difference between worldliness and godliness, from His perspective.

Everyone has something about themselves they dislike and would like to change, yet most people try to transform themselves through their own efforts. Genuine and permanent transformation only happens with God’s help. It’s a process that begins when we stop resisting Him and begin yielding to the Holy Spirit. Following the Spirit’s lead is critical to any positive change; we must let Him get ahead of us to point out the way to go in life.