For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live 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, 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. Titus 2:11-14

History has produced any number of people who betrayed those who were close to them.

Americans all know Benedict Arnold, and at the top of the list for Christians would be Judas. Of course, most betrayers are not that well-known.

In that list would be Chad Moore.

Mr. Moore is the grandson of Hank and Helen Kawecki of Thousand Oaks, California. Not so long ago, the Kaweckis gave Moore the deed to their home, with the understanding that he would take care of them. That was the plan.

Rather than taking care of his grandparents, what Moore really did was this:

* He took out a number of loans on their home and didn't repay them.

* He sold the home, without telling his grandparents.

* When the Kaweckis confronted their grandson, he simply disappeared.

That's the bad news of this story. There is also good news. There is good news because history has also produced heroes who go out of their way for those who are not that close to them.

In the case of the Kaweckis, their neighbors are providing all manner of support, including raising funds (GoFundMe) to assist with moving costs and legal fees. Indeed, one new neighbor has even offered to let the Kaweckis stay with them as they try to establish a new life.

Now I suppose it's almost unnecessary for me to write the rest of this devotion. Without much difficulty you could fill in the rest of this parable. For example, you already know the Kaweckis are a symbol of every man, woman and child who have ever lived.

It's true. Like the Kaweckis, we also have been duped -- not by a grandchild, but by Satan. The smooth-talking rapscallion made some promises, unkept promises, to Adam and Eve, who ended up losing their home in the Garden that God had given them.

And we lost our eternal home in heaven.

Amazingly, the Lord didn't let the story end with us headed to hell. Without any redeeming merit on our parts, without any logical reason for Him to do so, the Lord acted to save us. All on His own He sent His Son into this world to do for us that which we could not do for ourselves.

God's Son carried our sins, resisted temptation, fulfilled the commandments, and then defeated death. Because of Him, those who believe are forgiven, saved and are given a home in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep us in the truth and grant us an ear that can discern the lies of those who would hurt us. Grant us a faith which is strong and steadfast in our Savior, Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 48-50    1 Corinthians 11:1-16

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