Titus 2:11-15 " For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared 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 glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; WHO gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar (special) people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. "
We look forward to special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, holidays, or other opportunities to celebrate with family and friends. It seems that we are "wired" to enjoy and appreciate such times together. But as believers, we are promised something far more tangible, beneficial, and significant than mere earthly celebrations. This promised event is the focal point of today's reading - the "blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST" (v.13). This event is a promise that the LORD gives to us purely by HIS grace, and that fact makes it far more meaningful than anything we can possibly experience in this life.
When Scripture uses the word hope, it is not merely "wishful thinking" or desiring something to happen, such as wanting a favorite team to win a sporting event. In Scripture, hope conveys the idea of certainty; it can be defined as "confident expectation." Hope is the confident expectation that something is surely going to transpire. The Apostle Paul was confident that this hope would occur just as GOD had promised. Paul described this hope as "blessed," for it will bring joy to all who experience it.
The Bible exhorts believers to longingly anticipate this hope, with an eagerness and desire that is in sharp contrast to what most people tend to express. In other words, the longing for this blessed hope - the appearing of our SAVIOR - is to offset our desire or yearning for the insobriety, ungodliness, and worldly lusts that we naturally see expressed, even by believers in CHRIST, on a regular basis. This blessed hope is to be our daily motivation to live for our LORD in ways that bring honor and glory to HIM.
As Christians, we are to anticipate eagerly, to yearn longingly, for our LORD's return to catch us away (the Rapture) from this present evil world to be with HIMSELF. Today's reading refers to this event as the "blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST." What a fitting way to describe the removal of church age believers from this world ! Paul depicts this event with two phrases: first, from the perspective of those who will not experience death - a "blessed hope." As we saw previously, this is something we should desire to experience every waking moment. It is something that should factor into our daily thinking. Aside from our genuine love for the LORD, HIS coming should be a strong motivating factor as we live out what it means to be Christian in this world - knowing that at any moment, day or night, the LORD might catch us away to be with HIMSELF in Heaven, "and so shall we ever be with the LORD" (1st.Thess. 4:17). Think about that: We will physically be "with" the ONE WHO gave HIS life for us, WHO paid the penalty for our sins, because of HIS great mercy, grace, and love. At that very moment, we will begin living our lives by "sight." No longer will "faith" retain the important role it now plays (1st.Cor.13:13).
Additionally, the Bible describes this event as "the glorious appearing," or literally, "the appearing in glory" of "the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST." The phrase in verse thirteen is constructed in such a way as to indicate that this event has two designations but is the same occurrence. For the believer, it is the "blessed hope"; for CHRIST, it is HIS appearing in glory ! We hope that perhaps HE will return today ! GDF MARANATHA !
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
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