June 23, 2019 -- Titus 2:11-15 -- Jesus our Blessed Hope

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.

Titus 2 English Standard Version

Jesus is the grace of God in flesh. He has come and taken away our punishment. We knows what it is to be tempted and yet He has never fallen to temptation. He has withstood it so that in Him believers are trained to renounce worldly passion and sins. Our inheritance as sons and daughters of God is immediate. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—who renounce their sins and claim Him alone for their salvation—are declared forgiven for all time. And the Spirit of God continues the work of bringing heart, mind and action into obedience to Jesus. It is the Spirit of God Who purifies us and stirs up in us a desire to live for God. This is not boring—living for God is the soul’s great adventure. It is the challenge for which we were created, to live in defiance of the rot and corruption of this age and shine like children of the Sovereign King of heaven.

Gathering for church is a joy! We join with other believers who are looking forward to, longing for, and delighting in the great Truth that Jesus will return. For now we, believers, in Jesus Christ, are the clear evidence of the truth of God’s work and word.

Get to a Bible-believing church. Don’t just go to any gathering of people—like those who are accommodating to the whims and immorality of this age—rather, find those who are distinct from this age who show themselves to be longing for the Kingdom of God rather than the fading, tawdry, things of this world. For Christ our King is resplendent with glory and He is revealing the unimaginable splendour and majesty of our Father in heaven.

God Our King, we entrust ourselves to You through the glory that is ours in Christ and the surety of the Word.

God source of all grace, life and hope, we entrust ourselves to You—renouncing the things of this world.

God in Whom we have confidence in the blessed hope of Jesus’ return in glory, we entrust ourselves to You, asking that You will increase our faith, deepen our joy-filled obedience, and help us to declare these things to all around us. Amen.