THE CHANGING POWER OF SALVATION
Bible Text:
[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 2:11-15]
Structure of the passage
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 inthe present age,
waiting for our blessed hope,
theappearing 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.
Brief commentary
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12]
Here Paul talks about the power and work of the grace of God. This grace has brought salvation not only to a select but for all people. The sentence starts with ‘for’ which means some discussion has gone before this. Previously he explains about the behaviour of different kinds of people including young, old, man, woman, slave and free. God has intended to bring salvation to all people. Now their actions are to adorn the doctrine of Christ which in turn will enable the gospel being relevant for others.
As we work in a certain place or live a life in a certain community, we are called to live a life which will reflect the salvation we received.
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions…
Salvation we received also trains us into a Godly living which he explains as below. Salvation is not a one time experience where we accept Him and everything is alright. But it trains us to live in a certain way and renounce those which is ungodly. Here he gives two items to renounce and
to renounce
ungodliness– impiety, irreverence, ungodliness, wickedness
worldly passions –
worldly – earthly, worldly (belonging to the present earthly world as opposed to the heavenly and future)
passions – desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust.
to live
self-controlled,
upright, and
godly lives in the present age,
Here Paul places two contrasting things worldly passions and heavenly characters. He wants us to renounce earthly things but live the heavenly qualities in “THE PRESENT AGE”. He does not portray a life of escapism or succumb but that of victorious overcoming.
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.
The boost to live this kind of life comes from our reflection of a blessed hope which takes us to such such a life style and our reflection of Jesus’ redeeming us from all lawlessness.
The ultimate picture about a saved person in one phrase he sums us as the purified one who is zealous or good works.
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.
Mostly Christian preachings talks about salvation and heavenly life. But here Paul admonishes Titus to declare all aspects of salvation, ie, not alone the justification but practical living in the society.
Questions for reflection:
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Todays news reads that former Supreme court judge questions the selection process of ombudsman (lokpal). We read in the passage how salvation trains one to leave wordy pleasure and live a life of godliness
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Can we reflect on the future hope and the redeeming activity of Christ? How do they boost in living out a life of salvation?
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If Christ redeems the community we live in or our workplace, how different our community would be? Seeing that end how I should alter my lifestyle?
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The ultimate picture about salvation is being “zealous for good works”. What good works do you whis to be done by you and do you want to see happening in your community
Benalin's daily Devotion 