Deut. 7:12-16 Titus 2:1-15 John 1:35-42
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works (Titus 2:7)
(Paul exhorts slaves to good works...)
so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
(Titus 2:10-14)
This is such a beautiful, compact, and amazing passage. Verses 11-14, which are appointed as the epistle reading for Christmas one year, flow out of Paul's exhortation to slaves: adorn the doctrine of God our Savior by your behavior.
For God's grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. God's grace trains us to renounce ungodliness (irreligion, "impiety") and worldly passions. Remember, godliness is both a state of life (that adorns the gospel - does not make us worthy of it), and a way of life that is intended to move us more fully to the state of godly life. (see previous posts)
God's grace trains us to live a certain way, it trains us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives now, in this present age that tempts and lures and reasons with us not to live that way.
God's grace trains us to wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus the Messiah. God's grace was at work in Jesus in order to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are zealous for good works. Yes, that's what it says. Jesus redeems us and purifies us so that we might be zealots for good deeds! But note the order here! He redeems us. He purifies us. In order to have a certain kind of people...
God's grace trains us to say "no" some things (to renounce them) and to embrace a new way of living that adorns this good news, that is a fragrant aroma, that gives glory to our Father in heaven. The repentance and the faith, the renunciation and affirming embrace, and the good works created beforehand for us to walk in, are all due to his grace.
O Lord, and Master of my life!(Lenten prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian, see dicristina)
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yes, O Lord and King!
Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother;
For thou art blessed unto age of ages. Amen.
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