Good Behavior
By Mike Rule

Good behavior is not the cause of holiness, mercy, or grace; a change in behavior is the result of holiness, mercy, and grace. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men" (Titus 2:11). Salvation is a change in behavior, not just a ticket to heaven. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:14).

I am slowly realizing that not everyone who is born again and forgiven is saved. Here is what I mean. It is possible to have recognized your need for Christ to save you from the destination of sin and know His forgiveness is real and offered for you. Being saved is a different matter entirely. Scripture does define these differently! It uses these three distinct words. I am discovering that not all Christians are saved. Yes, they are going to heaven (born again); but many are living in Hell in the meantime.

We wonder how so many who profess the name of Christ can live like they do. In sin, unhealthy relationships, given over to carnal pleasures of the flesh and selfish living. We judge and say they aren't really Christians if they live that way. But can we judge the heart? We even judge ourselves and say, "If I struggle this way, I must not be saved." We spend our lives working for what we already have! Christ accepts people where they are and will let people live the way they please. He will still forgive. Why? Because He is willing to let us become as miserable as we need to until we recognize our weakness and our need for Him not just to save us from hell, but to save us from life -- to save us from our own selfish desires and circumstances. He wants to do everything for us, but we become convinced that we have got to change to make ourselves pleasing to God, and we find we cannot or we do not want to. But all He is asking is for you to see your need. He isn't asking for you to change; He will make the changes as His presence is revealed in you and through you. If you fight Him, He will wait until you are ready! Do you see the need to be saved? Not for eternity, but for the here and now? Are you tired of living in bondage to sin and living a defeated life? Do you question your salvation? Are you tired of the roller coaster relationship you seem to have with God?

If you have accepted Christ, you have the God of the universe living inside of you right now! Will you let Him work His miracles in you? Seek for Him.