Titus 2:11-15

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.  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

All the maturity and self-control that men, women, and slaves are to demonstrate can never be achieved through human effort.  Godliness is a supernatural gift that is the result of God’s grace as proclaimed in the Gospel.  The only hope of transforming a lost and dying world is the Gospel.  He graciously transforms us and equips us to be able to do all the things commanded in Scripture.  

SALVATION IS BY GOD’S GRACE: We must live into the maturity to which God has called us because the grace of God is available to all people.  We have benefited from His grace that has made our salvation possible and now we are called to be instruments of His grace in the lives of other people.  As we turn from a life of sin and the passions of this world to live a life in submission to God’s Word, we make an impact on the lives of other people.  The grace we experience should be evident to others and attract them to the grace of God as well.  

SALVATION IS FOR GOOD WORKS: Salvation is not by works but it certainly is for the purpose of works. God is transforming us from being slave to sin to being servants of the King.  We are waiting patiently and expectantly in a sinful world for His return, but we are not idle as we wait.  We are to make sure out hope for the future translates into holiness in the present.  God has called us to be zealous in our practice of good works; not to earn salvation, but as a result of our salvation and passion to see the name of the Lord glorified and the fame of Jesus spread to all nations.

SALVATION IS TO BE PROCLAIMED: This message of God’s grace and the transformation that salvation brings is to be proclaimed throughout the entire world.  We are to sue the Word of God to confront ungodliness, promote self-control, and point people to grace available in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  People may ignore or even persecute us for preaching the Gospel, but it is our job to be faithful, not necessarily effective.  Salvation and transformation are the result of God’s grace and supernatural power.  Our only job is to proclaim the truth to others and wait for the Lord to do His work.

APPLICATION: Understand that salvation is always only and ever the work of God’s grace.  We cannot earn it or produce the transformation it brings in our own power.  Wait with hope for the return of Christ but have zeal to live a Christlike life as we wait.  Boldly proclaim the message of salvation and correct those who claim the name of Christ but don’t demonstrate the character of Christ.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows into our lives.  These blessings from God are always available to us as long as we remember the
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.    By the Holy Spirit   who dwells within us, guard   the good deposit entrusted to you. There is nothing more important th
Read more

Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a servan t  of God and   an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and   their knowledge of the truth,   which accords with godliness ,  in hope of eternal life, which God,   who never lies,   promised   before the ages bega n  and   at the proper time manifested in his wor d  through the preaching   with which I have been entrusted   by the command of God our Savior;   To Titus,   my true child in   a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Paul begins this book written to his co-worker whom he has left on the island of Crete, with his own job description.  Paul felt called by God and compelled by God to minister in the lives of other people.  Those who were unbelievers needed to hear the Gospel.  Believers needed to be brought to maturity in Christ.  He also had a deep desire to see Titus blessed and encouraged in the Lord.  These initial greetings give us insight into Paul’s heart. THE PURPOSE OF AN APOSTLE:
Read more