HERE’S HOPE: WE ARE BEING PURIFIED

“teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:12, 14) 

I am being saved from the power of sin.  That is the work of God’s Spirit in sanctification.  That is an on-going process from the moment we are saved until we reach heaven.

How are we purified?  Paul mentions the key element of “teaching” in Titus 2:12.  The Psalmist said it this way, "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Ps.119:11). Old D.L. Moody said it well, "Either this Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book."

First, we are instructed by God’s Word to avoid, "ungodliness." Ungodliness is all that is contrary to the nature of God.  Imagine, a sculptor taking a hunk of rock, then with an image of a horse in his mind, his skilled hands take a hammer and chisel and knock off everything that doesn’t look like a horse.  God is refashioning you into His image, and so knocking off all that is ungodly.  The Word is the hammer He uses.  Jeremiah said, “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jer.23:29)

Secondly, we are taught to avoid, "Worldly lusts."  Those are the perverse passions of our nature that are informed by the putrid philosophies of our culture.  It’s impossible to wallow in a cesspool and stay clean.

This is why we must be instructed by the Word—to have a renewed mind.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom.12:2).  This sets the choice before us—conformed to the world or transformed by the Word. 

But the Christian life isn't just about what we avoid, but what we apply.  

"We should live soberly."  This is our inward disposition.  We take our walk with God seriously. Then we are to live "righteously." This is our outward demonstration.  My conduct is to be right—especially in how I treat my fellowman.  But further I am to live "godly."  This is our upward devotion.  This is particularly in reference to my relationship with God. 

We must be different to make a difference "in the present age."  Jesus said we would be in the world, but not of it.  A boat is of no use unless it's in the water, but get water in the boat and you're sunk!  Paul says that Christ has purified us "for Himself."  We belong to Him—all we are and all we have. We are "His own special people."  Paul reminds us that we are to be "zealous for good works." Jesus came not to be served, but to serve.  I am like Him when I do that.  While I am not all that I ought to be, I have hope for progress.  That hope should be seen in the change happening in my life.