SOUNDING OUT:
Live Looking
What a blessed hope we have of Christ’s
return. Just as surely as he came the first time (We just celebrated
his birth!), he will come again. Titus has some good instruction
on how we ought to live in light of his return.
Titus 2:11-14:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works.
We should live,
looking for his appearing. It is the grace of
God that brings us to salvation. This grace has appeared, and
we should recognize it because it has a lesson to teach us. “Teach”
is the Greek word paideuõ, usually translated
chasten or chastise. It is used of the instruction used in raising
children. Just as surely as we ought to teach our children what
to deny or refuse and what they should allow or embrace, the grace
of God should do the same for us. The object of the teaching is
that we deny or refuse anything that is not godly, including worldly
lusts.
In contrast we should live soberly, taking life seriously.
We should live righteously, doing things that are right. We should
also live godly, even though that may mean that we suffer persecution
or are pursued or chased. (2 Timothy 3:12)
To accomplish this we must live, looking. Live, looking
for what? We live looking for the blessed hope, that is, the appearing
of Jesus Christ. For when he shall appear we shall be like him
for we shall see him as he is. (I John 3:2) Christ gave himself
for the church, and this great redemptive act freed us from all
iniquity. It also purifies and sanctifies us as a peculiar people
zealous of good works, which were before ordained that we should
walk in. (Ephesians 2:8) There is purpose behind all of this.
Titus 2:15:
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.
Let no man despise thee.
Since we have such great hope, we
speak about it often and with authority. We have the right to
speak on what we know to be true. Once we receive the teaching
and make it our own, our lives will evidence its truth and our
testimony will be powerful. Then we will not be ashamed to speak,
but rather be bold to do so.
Seriousness, righteousness, and godliness speak loudly
as we live, looking.
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