Titus 2:13
In Paul’s little letter to Titus, he explains to him that it is the grace of God which teaches the believer how to live (Titus 2:11, 12). Verse 13 further explains that this grace will also cause us to look for the “blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Some people make the end time events sound horrific, leading Christians to constantly focus on the events in the Middle East and always speak of the wickedness of the world. We should remember that Paul never focused the early church on the political signs of the times, choosing rather to expose the loveliness of Jesus to his people.
Grace is not a doctrine; it is a person and His name is Jesus. John told us that the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Paul’s instruction to Titus concerning how grace will teach us to live, also shows us that the grace of God, “hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Notice that grace has already appeared, and this would be in the form of Jesus. He now turns the believer to a separate appearance in verse 13, “the glorious appearance”.
Both “appearances” involve the same person: Jesus Christ. The first appearance is categorized as the appearance of grace, for Jesus embodies God’s grace and goodness. The second appearance is deemed “glorious”, as this is the return of Jesus to take away His bride, the church. Paul leaves no cause for fear or concern regarding this appearance, which is why he calls it a blessed hope and “glorious appearing”.
Believers should remember that anything that takes their focus off of Jesus and His loveliness is a distraction against the grace of God, and will ultimately lead to misery. To focus our end-time teaching on the appearance of an anti-Christ is to take our blessed hope off of the appearance of our Savior. Never look for an anti-Christ when you can look for the Christ!
Consequently, when Paul gave these instructions to Titus, he knew that they would make Titus a popular preacher with the sinners, but very unpopular among the religious crowd. He tells him, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Titus 2:15) Saying what is right is not always easy, for many will never accept that grace is the answer for how to live. The exhortation of the hearer is essential if grace is to do its work. The believer must hear the grace of God and have it build their soul. If condemnation and guilt is preached at them, this must be rebuked “with all authority”.
Do not hear the voice of condemnation in your life today. Focus on Jesus and His loveliness, not the problems of the world around you. Minister grace to all of those who will listen and rebuke the enemy when he ministers death and condemnation. Not all will accept it from you, but many will look to Jesus with you, glad for that “blessed hope”.
In Paul’s little letter to Titus, he explains to him that it is the grace of God which teaches the believer how to live (Titus 2:11, 12). Verse 13 further explains that this grace will also cause us to look for the “blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Some people make the end time events sound horrific, leading Christians to constantly focus on the events in the Middle East and always speak of the wickedness of the world. We should remember that Paul never focused the early church on the political signs of the times, choosing rather to expose the loveliness of Jesus to his people.
Grace is not a doctrine; it is a person and His name is Jesus. John told us that the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Paul’s instruction to Titus concerning how grace will teach us to live, also shows us that the grace of God, “hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Notice that grace has already appeared, and this would be in the form of Jesus. He now turns the believer to a separate appearance in verse 13, “the glorious appearance”.
Both “appearances” involve the same person: Jesus Christ. The first appearance is categorized as the appearance of grace, for Jesus embodies God’s grace and goodness. The second appearance is deemed “glorious”, as this is the return of Jesus to take away His bride, the church. Paul leaves no cause for fear or concern regarding this appearance, which is why he calls it a blessed hope and “glorious appearing”.
Believers should remember that anything that takes their focus off of Jesus and His loveliness is a distraction against the grace of God, and will ultimately lead to misery. To focus our end-time teaching on the appearance of an anti-Christ is to take our blessed hope off of the appearance of our Savior. Never look for an anti-Christ when you can look for the Christ!
Consequently, when Paul gave these instructions to Titus, he knew that they would make Titus a popular preacher with the sinners, but very unpopular among the religious crowd. He tells him, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Titus 2:15) Saying what is right is not always easy, for many will never accept that grace is the answer for how to live. The exhortation of the hearer is essential if grace is to do its work. The believer must hear the grace of God and have it build their soul. If condemnation and guilt is preached at them, this must be rebuked “with all authority”.
Do not hear the voice of condemnation in your life today. Focus on Jesus and His loveliness, not the problems of the world around you. Minister grace to all of those who will listen and rebuke the enemy when he ministers death and condemnation. Not all will accept it from you, but many will look to Jesus with you, glad for that “blessed hope”.
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