By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Titus 2:1-15

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

The Rev. Ron Purkey

In Titus 2:11 Paul expanded the meaning of “Savior” (Titus 2:10) by explaining what was involved in this salvation that we have through Christ. The emphasis is on grace — God’s lavish favor on undeserving sinners.

Paul pointed out three wonderful ministries of the grace of God (Titus 2:11-14). What happens when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and becomes a true Christian believer? Many things happen, but here are three important things.

First, grace redeems us (verses 11, 14a). Paul explained this salvation further (Titus 2:14). Christ “gave himself for us,” which means that he became our substitute. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

The word redeem means “to set free by paying a price.” We were all slaves of sin (Titus 3:3) and could not set ourselves free; but Christ gave himself as the ransom for our sins. By his death, he met the just demands of God’s holy law, so that God in his grace could forgive and free those who believe on Christ. We have been redeemed “from all iniquity,” which means that sin should no longer master our lives.

Second, Grace reforms us (verses 12, 14b). Salvation is not only a change in position (set free from the slavery of sin), but it is also a change in attitude, appetite, ambition, and action. The same grace that redeems us also reforms our lives and makes us godly. “Teaching” has the idea of “disciplining.” We are disciplined by God’s grace, trained to be the kind of people that glorify him.

Grace reforms us because God purifies us and makes us his own special possession (Titus 2:14b). This process of purification is called “sanctification,” and its goal is to make the believer more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). Sanctification is not only separation from sin, but it is also devotion to God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). “Peculiar” (verse 14) does not mean “odd” or “strange.” It means “a special people for God’s own possession” (see Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18).

Third, Grace rewards us (verse 13). We have been redeemed “from all iniquity,” which means that sin should no longer master our lives. “Iniquity” means “lawlessness.” In our unsaved condition, we were rebels against God’s law; but now all of that has been changed. This led Paul to remind us of Christ’s Second Coming (Titus 2:13).

We are looking for Jesus Christ to return; this is our only hope and glory. This verse boldly affirms that Jesus Christ is God, for there is only one article in the Scripture: “the great God and our Saviour.” Paul did not go into detail about the events surrounding the return of Christ. Believers should always be expecting his return and live like those who will see him face-to-face (Titus 2:13).

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.