Think Biblically!

Titus 2:14

Message title: "We love because he first loved us"

Our passage is Titus chapter 2 verse 14.

Brothers and sisters in Christ.

Titus chapter 2 verse 14 says; He, Jesus Christ, gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify for himself, a people for his own possession who were zealous for good works.

This is a powerful verse that summarizes the gospel message, and it is my joy to proclaim it to you today.

The basic idea that Paul and Titus chapter 2 verse 14 is expressed in Ephesians chapter 5.

Jesus gave himself up for us to sanctify us and make us holy.

Ephesians chapter 5 verses 25 to 27 says; Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

When we look at Titus chapter 2 verse 14, we see that Jesus Christ gave himself for us.

He did not send someone else to do his work.

He did not simply wave a magic wand and make everything right.

No, he gave himself.

He took on human flesh.

He suffered and died on the cross to redeem us from all lawlessness.

He bore the punishment that we deserve for our sins so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.

And why did he do this?

So that he could purify for himself a people for his own possession.

This is a remarkable thought.

The God of the universe desires to have a people who belong to him, who are set apart for his purposes and who are zealous for good works.

He did not save us so that we could continue living in sin and selfishness.

He saved us so that we could be transformed and become like him.

Brothers and sisters, this is a call to holiness.

We are called to be a people who are set apart for God's purposes.

We are called to be a people who are zealous for good works.

We are called to live lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ.

First Peter chapter 2 verse 9 says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

This verse emphasizes that believers are a people for God's own possession, just as Titus chapter 2 verse 14 does.

Think on these things.

Christ died for us to redeem us from living for ourselves, but rather to live for him.

But we cannot do this on our own.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

We need to be constantly reminded of the gospel message and the great love that Christ has for us.

We need to be in community with other believers who can encourage us and hold us accountable.

Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 to 10 says, For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing.

It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians reinforces the idea that we are saved by grace, not by works, but that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Let us strive, then, to live lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Let us be a people who are zealous for good works.

Let us be a people who are set apart for God's purposes.

And let us never forget the great love that Christ has for us, and the sacrifice that he made on our behalf. 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 15 says, And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Titus chapter 2 verse 14 and the verses we have read support the idea that Christ gave himself for us to redeem us and make us holy.

And that we are called, to live lives, that are zealous for good works, and set apart for God's purposes.

In conclusion, let me leave you with the words of the great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Oh, to be like Christ, to be holy, to be pure, to be zealous for good works, to be wholly devoted to the Lord.

My friends, this is our calling, and this is our joy.

Let us strive, then, to be a people who are set apart for his purposes, and who are zealous for good works, that we may bring glory to his name.

Amen.

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