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.
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.
