Lesson 2, Part 5 (Notes follow the video link below for the hearing impaired.)

Titus 2:11-14 NLT

[11] 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.

            Paul has been instructing Titus in what he should teach to the people of Crete who become followers of Christ.  His instructions have a particular purpose.  Paul wanted the new believers to understand that their lives were to change because they had believed in Jesus and been forgiven.  Their salvation was more than a one-time event.  They were to now live daily as people who had been changed from godless pagans into righteous members of God’s kingdom.

            That daily lifestyle was to include turning away from sinfulness and living without any knowledge of God and toward a life marked by wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God.  They were to be people who performed good deeds to others.  Their reputations would change from being lazy liars and gluttons to being God’s people who had been cleansed from sin and freed from its power.

            The new believers were also to be a people of hope.  That hope was to be based in the knowledge that Jesus was going to return and be revealed in all His glory to the entire world.  Jesus gave His life and conquered death so they could be forgiven, and they were to expectantly wait for His return.

            The hope that was to guide the new believers on the island of Crete is the same hope that guides the disciples of Jesus today.  We look forward to His return.  We look forward to seeing Him in all the glory He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

            If you don’t have that hope, allow me to encourage you to put your trust in Jesus as Messiah.  Ask God to forgive you.  Live according to Christ’s teachings.  And maintain hope in His return to receive you to be with Him for all eternity.

            If you do have that hope, thank God daily for your new life now and the eternal life you will enjoy one day.

            Our next video will wrap up Lesson 2 of this study as we look at the concept of the spiritual authority Titus possessed within the congregations on Crete.  We’ll then begin Lesson 3 of “A Few Minutes with Titus.”