THINGS WHICH THE GRACE THAT BRINGS SALVATION TEACHES US
11 FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION HAS APPEARED TO ALL MEN,
12 TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 LOOKING FOR THE BLESSED HOPE AND GLORIOUS APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST."
Titus 2:11-13 (NKJV)
Epistles are the letters written to the church, that is, the believers in Christ Jesus.
Through the epistles:
• We know the purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 4:25).
• We know our inheritances in Christ; who we are in Him, our kingdom rights and heritages (Ephesians 1:3-14,17-21).
• In the Epistles also, we got to to know how to live our lives as believers in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-14; Colossians 3:1-17).
A lot of believers are quick to accept and claim what belongs to them in the epistles, but they do not want to accept the things expected of them.
In other words, they do not want to take responsibilities as believers in Christ Jesus.
Remember, there is no freedom without any responsibility.
If a part of the above epistle, Titus 2:11-13, is accepted, the other part must be accepted also.
In the passage:
• The grace that brings salvation has appeared to all men, which every believer in Christ has received and accepted (Titus 2:11).
• This same grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:12).
The Grace being talked about is not given to us to live in sin (Romans 6:1,2).
Rather, the Grace is given to us that we may deny ungodliness and worldly lust: "AND THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST'S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES" (Galatians 5:24 NKJV).
READ: Romans 6:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17
• Believers should deny themselves the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
• Believers should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age (Titus 2:12).
• Believers should live in line with the things that are mentioned in the passage of our text (Titus 2:12).
It is when we live in line with the words which are emphasized and stressed in the text, Titus 2:12, that we look for the blessed hope; the glorious appearance of our great God and saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
If you are living contrary to these things, that is, you are not denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, you are not living soberly, righteously, and godly; it means you are not expectant and hopeful, and you are not looking for Jesus’ coming (Titus 2:13).
Those who are looking for His appearing keep themselves uncontaminated—they deny ungodliness and worldly lusts:
2 BELOVED, NOW WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD; AND IT HAS NOT YET BEEN REVEALED WHAT WE SHALL BE, BUT WE KNOW THAT WHEN HE IS REVEALED, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS. 3 AND EVERYONE WHO HAS THIS HOPE IN HIM PURIFIES HIMSELF, JUST AS HE IS PURE” (1 John 3:2,3 NKJV).
The truth:
• One of the ways to purify yourself is to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
• Abstain from those things that make you relish, enjoy, sins.
• If any app on your phone or any of your devices fuels the flames of lusts in you, then uninstall it.
Take Note:
• When you live soberly, righteously and godly, you gladdens Jesus' heart. He wants to see His work, the reason why He suffered, prospers: “WHEN HE SEES ALL THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED BY HIS ANGUISH, HE WILL BE SATISFIED" (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).
• Remember, Jesus gave Himself to die for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed (Titus 2:14; Isaiah 53:10-12).
• Jesus also purifies us for Himself as His own special people and be reconciled to God. We are basically redeemed to live for Him. In other words, believers are to live their lives to please Him not the self (2 Corinthians 5:15; Titus 2:14; 1 John 2:1,2).
• We are also redeemed to be zealous for good works (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14).
Therefore, if as a believer, you are not living right; it means you are not making Jesus' heart glad—you are living contrary to what He intended.
Remember, you are not save to continue in sin: “AND HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV).
READ: Romans 6:1,2
Wallowing in sin after you have been reborn or redeemed is an aberration; a behaviour that is not normal or usual, totally unacceptable for a child of God.
You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!