WOW! Titus 2 is loaded and overflowing...it would be so easy to spend weeks unpacking this one little chapter, it is so rich! I don't know about you but I see multiple outlines contained in this one little chapter. The first one that jumps out is Paul's overarching instructions to Titus to 1) Teach sound doctrine (v1). 2) Set an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching (7) 3) Encourage and rebuke with ALL authority (15). This is excellent advise to every child of God, especially those in any leadership role within the Church.
The WOW hit the hardest with verses 11-15. The instruction Paul gives Titus in the first several verses of chapter 2 is rooted in the grace of God, for the salvation grace brings makes it clear: God's children are to say no to sin and live godly lives while waiting for Jesus to return. This is true and possible ONLY because Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and create a people eager to do good deeds (11–14). Titus mission, my mission, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to give ourselves completely and absolutely to HIM and to do what HE tells us to do (15).
Tit 2:11-15 (NLT) For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. 15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
There is simply too much here...my circuits are burning up:) The "grace of God" that has been revealed was Jesus first coming...remember John 1:14? "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Jesus first coming HE was revealed. On the basis of this grace...past, present and future, we are taught and enabled by the filling of the Holy Spirit to turn, repent, from godless living, sinful pleasures...living with devotion toward God with wisdom and righteousness.
Now we look forward, (13) we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ALL God's children live godly lives awaiting the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ! So we wait for the ONE, we wait for Jesus Christ..."the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
Ex 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
Dt 4:20 But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.
Dt 7:6 The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Eph 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
1 Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Jesus appeared, HE called us to salvation, HE called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light, HE set us free from our sins by HIS own blood to make us HIS own people SO THAT...SO THAT...SO THAT (one more) SO THAT we would be "totally committed to doing good deeds, SO THAT we would proclaim the praises of HIM who called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light!
WOW! What a Savior!
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