Saved from hell or saved from sin?

Saved from hell or saved from sin- was the question that led the majority of our conversation last week at house group.

Our Wednesday night house groups have been such a blessing to us. We love the great fellowship and discussions, and the time to flush out what was preached to us on Sundays,

We have been in Titus for the past few weeks and have learned so much about what is expected from elders of the church. We are now settling in Titus 2:11-14 for a couple weeks which is centered around the aggressive grace God pours upon us. There are SO many things we are learning but this one question has really stayed in my mind lately. Pastor Jeff has presented it before so it wasn't new but being able to talk through it was really great.

Here are some points that were made that night:

1. grace is more than just a judicial movement
2. it is more than simply getting you from hell to heaven
3. grace has a powerful and practical implication for life
4. it brings salvation to all people
5. it trains us to renounce ungodliness- to live self-controlled lives- upright and godly, but this must be done, and can not be done without discipline
6. grace necessarily disciplines

If grace were simply saving us from hell, we would not be required to really respond in any way. It would be like checking off the box- we're good to go. But hell is not the problem, our sin is! We are wretched sinners in desperate need of a savior, and hell is the consequence for not knowing and loving Him. The thought of just getting our "get out of hell free pass" does not require a daily repentance, or hope on a living God. Grace saves us from our sin- we have been rescued, and by nothing we could do on our own. But, if we indeed have been saved by this amazing grace, our lives sure must reflect it.

We left with these questions:

1. Do I look like I have been affected by grace?
2. Is their measurable fruit in my life?
3. Have my affections been altered?

We left feeling overwhelmed with such good thoughts and convictions, but ready to fight and win together and with Christ.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness, and worldly passions, and to love self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. . ." Titus 2:11-13