The Doctrine of Salvation, Part Two
Sunday, June 20
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 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, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 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. 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. (Titus 2:11-15)
Yesterday, I referenced the four portraits of Christ depicted in this passage. The first is: Jesus paid for us. The second is: Jesus purifies us—He purchased us to purify or “cleanse” us! His grace rescues us from the pig pen, not to let us stay there. Sin makes us guilty and dirty, while grace makes us innocent and clean. This aligns with the promise of the new covenant: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:25). Jesus purifies us through His vicarious and substitutionary death.
Third, Jesus claims us. He bought us to purify and possess us, meaning “for Himself a people, His own possession." Referring to Exodus 19:5, Peter echoes this truth: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own possession. You can show others God's goodness because He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ‘Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s. Once you had no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy” (1 Pet 2:9-10). What security we have! We once belonged to Satan, now to the Son. We were once slaves to sin, now we belong to the Savior. We used to be foreigners, but now we are family.
Finally, Jesus equips us. As His followers, we hold a sacred passion: to be fully dedicated to doing good. Unlike the Cretans, who were deemed unqualified for good deeds (1:16), we possess a deep desire to honor our great God and Savior for His glorious act of redemption. Our actions naturally follow His work. Our zeal for Him becomes our everyday pursuit, shaped by Him for this purpose. Grace reveals to us who the Lord is and empowers us to serve Him as Lord.
Doing the Word
Believe in Christ to be saved.
Prayer
Dear God, I believe in Your Son. I believe He came and He died to set me free from every kind of sin. Saved me. In His name, Amen.