11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2: 11-14).
The apostle Paul wrote the letter to Titus. Titus was a Gentile convert who was very active in ministry with Paul. We know that Titus preached in several places including Corinth and Crete and he was present at the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1). Titus was an important early believer who had a major impact on the spread of the Gospel.
In these verses Paul is reminding Titus of the blessed hope that will one day occur. This blessed hope is the glorious return of Christ to earth. Recall that in the beginning that the Creator was with Man on earth (Genesis 3: 8). The blessed hope that Paul speaks of is a return to the way it was immediately before the Fall of Man in Genesis 3:8. This is the same pattern we have spoken about several times during the past few months; Paradise lost will be Paradise restored upon Christ’s return. We should eagerly await the blessed hope. However, while we wait, Paul reminds us that we are to avoid ungodliness and worldly lusts, and we are to live a sober, righteous and godly life. In short, we should live as if the blessed hope will occur at any moment. If we live life in the light of eternity, we will be ready at all times for Christ return. And perhaps more importantly we will do what our faith mandates: be zealous for good works. While our good works do not and cannot save us, the proper response to our faith is obedience to God. The Creator is zealous for good works.
The apostle Paul wrote the letter to Titus. Titus was a Gentile convert who was very active in ministry with Paul. We know that Titus preached in several places including Corinth and Crete and he was present at the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1). Titus was an important early believer who had a major impact on the spread of the Gospel.
In these verses Paul is reminding Titus of the blessed hope that will one day occur. This blessed hope is the glorious return of Christ to earth. Recall that in the beginning that the Creator was with Man on earth (Genesis 3: 8). The blessed hope that Paul speaks of is a return to the way it was immediately before the Fall of Man in Genesis 3:8. This is the same pattern we have spoken about several times during the past few months; Paradise lost will be Paradise restored upon Christ’s return. We should eagerly await the blessed hope. However, while we wait, Paul reminds us that we are to avoid ungodliness and worldly lusts, and we are to live a sober, righteous and godly life. In short, we should live as if the blessed hope will occur at any moment. If we live life in the light of eternity, we will be ready at all times for Christ return. And perhaps more importantly we will do what our faith mandates: be zealous for good works. While our good works do not and cannot save us, the proper response to our faith is obedience to God. The Creator is zealous for good works.
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