Titus 2:11-15
Two significant words appear in the opening
verse of our passage – grace and salvation. “For the GRACE of God that
bringeth SALVATION hath appeared to all men.” Many unenlightened
people think of grace in isolation but God’s word reveals virtues that are
inseparably associated with it – “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”
(John 1:17). Grace leads us to the truth as it is in Christ and thus sets
us free. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye,
always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”
(2 Corinthians 9:8). So, recipients of God’s grace have salvation which makes
them abound in good works and the fruit of the Spirit. Knowing “the grace
of God in truth” “bringeth forth fruit” in the believer
(Colossians 1:6). God’s purpose in giving us grace is to “fulfil all [His]
good pleasure, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,
and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ”
(2 Thessalonians 1:11,12). For this reason, we are exhorted “that ye
receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). We must avoid
the error, danger and damnation of those who “turn the grace of our God
into lasciviousness” (Jude 4,5) “looking diligently lest any man
fail of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15-17).
The other word has also been thought of in
isolation, salvation. But salvation does not stand alone; it has root and
fruit, cause and consequence, effect and evidence. The effect of salvation in
our hearts is righteousness in our lives. Salvation and righteousness have been
joined together by divine revelation and redemption. “For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation” (Romans 10:10). The true believer receives “righteousness
from the God of his salvation” (Psalm 24:5). He can testify in truth
with evidence, “God hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he
hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10) (see
also Psalm 71:15; 98:2; Isaiah 45:8; 56:1; 59:17; 62:1). The grace of God
brings salvation and teaches us to live righteously in this present world
(Titus 2:11,12).
1. THE
PROVISION AND EFFECT OF SALVATION
Titus 2:11,12; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:8-13;
Matthew 1:21; John 8:10-12; Luke 19:1-10; Romans 6:1-12; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11;
2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 1:4; 1 John 3:4-10.
The grace which brings salvation to all men has been revealed. All
classes of men, anyone, everyone, whosoever, the parent as well as the child,
the master as well as the servant, the king as well as the subject, the rich as
well as the poor, the learned as well as the ignorant. None is excluded from
the offer of salvation, the provision has been made for all. “Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world.” God’s grace transforms
hearts and lives. The transformation produces a desire to live like God as
revealed in Christ and there is an aversion or deep dislike for anything
ungodly or unrighteous. The desire for sensual indulgence or worldly pleasure
is replaced with the love for God and His righteousness. Saved from sin, we are
made free from the gross passion and pursuit of worldly-minded sinners around
us. The fleshly enjoyments of those who do not know God hold no interest for
those who tasted the grace and goodness of God in salvation. In this present
world, our desire is now to live “soberly”, with all passions and
propensities under due restraint, “righteously”, living to please
our righteous God in all things and at all times, and “godly”,
acting and conducting ourselves as true children of God, having the divine
nature of holiness.
2. THE
PREPARATION AND EXPECTATION OF THE SAINTS
Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20,21; John
14:1-3; 1 Peter 1:7,13; Colossians 3:1-4; Acts 24:
15,16; Hebrews 9:27,28; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 3:12-14.
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” While we are living soberly, righteously and
godly, we are expectant and patiently waiting for the coming of our Lord. We
want to be ready when He comes, so we are always to be in a posture of
expectation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. The certainty of His coming
does not leave us in any doubt. Prophecy (future prediction of coming events)
takes up a large portion of the Scripture. There are over 660 general
prophecies, 333 of them about Christ. 109 were fulfilled at His First Coming,
224 are still to be fulfilled at His Second Coming. There are over 1,500 Old
Testament passages that refer to the Second Coming of Christ. 1 out of every 25
New Testament verses directly refers to the Second Coming of Christ. For every
time the Bible mentions the First Coming of Christ, it mentions His Second
Coming 8 times. Jesus refers to His Second Coming 21 times and over 50 times,
we are told to be ready for His return. Christ’s Second Coming is a major theme
in the word of God.
Jesus Christ is coming again. There are many things in the
Scripture that demand His Second Coming. The promise of God demands that Jesus
came (Genesis 49:10; Psalm 2:8,9). The words of Jesus demand His Second Coming
(John 14:1-3; Luke 19:11-13). The guarantee of the Holy Spirit demands Christ’s
return (John 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The program for the Church
demands that Jesus come again (Acts 15:14-18; James 5:7,8). The program for the
nations also demands Christ’s return (Joel 3:2,9-12). The program for Israel
demands Christ’s Second Coming (Isaiah 59:20,21; Jeremiah 23:5,6). The
humiliation of Jesus Christ demands His return in glory (Matthew 26:63-68). The
expectation of the saints demands Christ’s Second Coming (1 Corinthians
15:19,52; Titus 2:11-13).
3. THE
PURITY AND EXPERIENCE OF SANCTIFICATION
Titus 2:14,15; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:13,14; Psalm 24:3,4;
51:6-10; Acts 15:9; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; 1 Peter 1:13-22; 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1
Timothy 5:20-22; 4:12-16.
“Who gave himself for us.” He “gave himself a
ransom” for the salvation of sinners (1 Timothy 2:4-6) but He “gave
himself for us”, for the Church (1) “that he might deliver us
from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4), (2) that we might be “crucified
with Christ” (Galatians 2:20),
(3) “that he might sanctify and cleanse” us (Ephesians 5:25,26),
(4) “that he might redeem us from all iniquity” (Titus 2:14), (5)
“that he might present it (the Church) to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing”
(Ephesians 5:25,27), (6) “that it (the Church) should be
holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25,27), (7) “that he might
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus
2:14). Christ’s sacrifice is for our sanctification. From these Bible
references on the purpose why Christ gave Himself for the Church, it is clear
that to be sanctified is to be made free from sin, to be cleansed from moral
pollution, to be redeemed from all iniquity, set free from the power of sin, to
be made holy, without spot, blemish or wrinkle, to be purified and entirely
consecrated unto Christ, made zealous of good works.
“And purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.” Saved and sanctified, we no longer belong to ourselves, we are
now Christ’s peculiar possession and we live only for God’s glory and Christ’s
exaltation and revelation to all around us. -From bible study outline
The bible study may be accessed HERE
I pray the Lord will grant us holiness of heart that will make us a purified, peculiar and possession of Christ in Jesus' name.
Be blessed!
-Charity
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