| “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” |
| —Titus 2:11 |
Each week on Wednesday, many ministers will begin to think about the content of their sermon, or homily, for the Lord’s Day. Now, as someone who works for a ministry that helps ministers learn how to preach more effective sermons, I have come to believe that starting one’s sermon on Wednesday is way too late in the week. Nevertheless, I would suggest that ministers, pastors, and priests carefully read the Apostle Paul’s words to his colleague, Titus, whom Paul has sent to lead the Christians on the Isle of Crete. Here’s Titus 2:11-15 and 3:1-8:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the 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 wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
These words need not only apply to ministers. They can, and should, apply to all believers, as well. Paul makes it so very clear. Abounding in the matchless love of Jesus will cause that same God-breathed love to flow freely from deep within us and out of us, in order to touch the lives around us. When we are asked what fuels the hope within us, we can give unequivocal testimony to the mercy and grace that God has given us through His Son. And, we must always remember the words from Titus 3:5-6:
… he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…
We are not saved because of good things we do. Rather, we do good things—things that God has appointed us to do—because God has saved us through His Son, Jesus. This is an amazing part of the blessed hope that God gives us through His precious Son.
Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
