Today, I want to draw our attention to Titus 2:11-13 of 11-14 where we find this: For the Grace of GOD that brought salvation by appearing to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our Savior* Jesus Christ (GOD); Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem (provide the healing of Isaiah 53:5) to all of humanity from all iniquity, and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
*Greek G4992 in the Strong's which states this: sōtērion so-tay'-ree-on Neuter of the same as G4991 as (properly concrete) noun; defender or (by implication) deference: - salvation. [G4991: sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health; G4990: sōtēr so-tare' From G4982; a deliverer, that is, God or Christ: - savior; G4982: sōzō sode'-zo From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - to heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.]
Now for Isaiah 53:5-6: For He (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was laid upon Christ; And with [by] Christ's stripes we are healed*. For we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Christ the iniquity of us all. *H7495: râphâ' râphâh raw-faw', raw-faw' Of a primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. [this being the Genesis 2 of mans origin and identity healed, restored to is original state or condition of identity. In the Grace of our original innocence.] This being the Gospel of Grace and Grace being the New Covenant vs the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law of self works condemnation.
Now for the thought of the day written by Robert Hoekstra in my e-Sword Bible Study helps program, with a little editing done by me. Now for this study:
For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)
Time and again, we have considered the connection between Grace and justification. "Being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace" (Rom. 3:24 and Eph. 1:7). Now, we have an opportunity to ponder once more the relationship between Grace and sanctification. "For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men." It is GOD'S Grace that brings salvation to mankind. For nearly 2,000 years, that saving Grace of the Lord has been offered to humanity through the preaching of the gospel. This particular verse now adds another function to the work of Grace. "For the Grace of GOD [is] teaching us."
The Grace of GOD not only redeemed the souls of all who believe; It also works in believer's lives to teach and instruct them. GOD'S Grace, working through His word ("The word of His Grace"—Acts 20:32), instructs and shapes our thinking (Rom. 12:1-2) and living: "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." It is the Will of our Heavenly Father that His children turn away from that which is worldly and spiritually compromising. He wants us to walk in godliness, in Christ-likeness. GOD works this into our hearts by His Grace.
GOD'S Grace also develops expectant lives, eager to have the Lord Jesus return for His people: "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ."
The Grace of GOD impacting our hearts through His word by His Spirit is His divine means to bring about such transformation [G3339] (salvation, [Rom. 12:1-2, G3339; metamorphoō]) in us. To view sanctification as something we can produce through our own performance (that is, by Law) is akin to overlooking GOD'S Grace and underestimating the provisions of the cross of Christ. "I do not set aside the Grace of GOD; For if righteousness comes through the Mosaic Law, then Christ died in vain" (Gal. 2:21).
Dear LORD Jesus, my great GOD and Savior, I want to live in eager anticipation of Your return. Meanwhile, I desire to please You by growing in godliness, holiness and in applied righteousness. Thank You for Your long-suffering (mercy or compassionate) love, patiently teaching me by Your Grace—the Grace that I sometimes neglect, attempting to produce all of these realities by the striving of my flesh in the Jewish Law of Moses. From such vanity I turn to hope in You, LORD Jesus, Amen.
Now this could well be my last post. Only the LORD of lords and Spirit of spirit's knows this. So just who is Christ and who is the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost? Of what benefit is Grace?
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