John 3:22-36
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Reflection
In the New Testament, the rich relationship between Jesus and his people is sometimes described in terms of a marriage (John 3:29). Jesus is the perfect bridegroom who came from heaven to make an unworthy bride (the church) his wife. Jesus did this by taking upon himself the wrath we deserve in order to give us the favor we could never earn (Eph. 5:22–33).
Those rescued from wrath are granted eternal life because they believe, while those who are condemned experience wrath because they disobey (John 3:36). The basis of God’s judgment is justice for sinners; the foundation of our salvation is God’s grace toward those who put their faith in his Son. Disobedience alone results in wrath. Faith alone results in salvation.
Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce 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.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Reflection
These verses are arguably the most concise explanation of gospel-centered living found anywhere in Scripture. Only by embracing the grace of God can we live “self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:12) that are “zealous for good works” (v. 14). Spiritual disciplines, Scriptural memorization, and accountability structures have their place. But a profound encounter with the grace of the gospel is the only thing that can produce change at the level of our desires. The gospel produces such loving and longing for our great God and Savior Jesus Christ that we desire to honor him with our lives (v. 13). When that love and longing are present, godly behaviors will inevitably follow.
Psalm 66:5
5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
Don’t begin your day with a list of things to do. Begin with your eyes upon the Lord, asking him to help you first remember what he has done.