You may be good at many things, but are you good at saying ‘no’ to the things that displease God? It is a monosyllable word, and really, it is not all that difficult to get your tongue around. Try saying ‘no’ and notice where your tongue immediately goes as you say the word. Now try saying ‘maybe.’ Did you notice that your tongue barely moved at all? Try saying ‘okay.’ Notice that it is the middle of your tongue, that hits your upper molars. Saying the ‘no’ word is a different experience. ‘No’ is a tip-of-your-tongue action.
All of that may seem rather juvenile and perhaps an insult to your maturity. But, from a spiritual perspective, ‘no’ needs to be on the tip of our tongues 24/7 as we carefully navigate our way through the murky waters and rocky shoals of this brutally godless age.
Paul wrote to Titus on the Island of Crete and gave him multiple instructions. It’s an interesting little letter. It certainly deals with lifestyle and behavioural issues! With unmistakable clarity, Paul outlines how God expects Christians to act. God clearly never intended our Christianity to simply be an invisible matter of the heart. Loving Jesus in your heart isn’t enough! It must be evident to the world. God expects us to say “No!” frequently while we wait.
It’s possible to forget that we are even waiting. The preferences and priorities of people who are not waiting can insidiously creep deep into our mindsets and affect our behaviour. When that happens, we end up saying maybe or okay or yes too often.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, (12) training us to renounce (to firmly say NO in the strongest possible way) ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, (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.
God expects us to say ‘No!’ every time to any and all forms of ungodliness and any and all worldly desires, ambitions and passions. It would be a strange verse if the verse contained an exception clause such as: “teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly desires except for….” What exceptions and exemptions do you wish God had made? My answer to that question is probably the very thing I need to renounce and say no to in the clearest of terms.
Praise God we are among those who are waiting. It could have been otherwise in our lives. We shall all be changed, and when we see Him, we will be like Him morally. We will perfectly love all that He loves and completely hate all that He hates – and there will never be another inner struggle to hinder or torment us.
While we wait, may our devotion to Christ motivate us to say “No!” when it needs to be said.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
