We have sat under the
tutelage of Paul the apostle as he instructed Titus for the members
of the church at Crete. We have studied his charges to the aged men
and women, young men and women, and servants as well as Titus
himself. We have learned the reason for the emphasis upon the
behavior and attitudes of those whom Titus would teach is that the
gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't need people to bring it under
reproach, and today we learn there is an attitude that should prevail
above all reasons for Christians to be without blame. Paul wrote in
Titus chapter two and verse thirteen:
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
When Jesus left the Earth to return to
Heaven Luke recorded the event in the book of Acts in chapter one and
verses nine through eleven. He wrote:
And when he had spoken
these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly
toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel; Which also said, You men of Galilee, why do you stand
gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you
into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go
into heaven.
This
promise of the angels is what is known as the “Blessed Hope” for
the Christian. Jesus Christ will return some day “in like manner
as you have seen him go into heaven”. Christians look for this
day, await this day, and long for the day when Jesus will return.
This is what Paul is referring to as he teaches Titus: “Looking
for that blessed hope”. Titus and his church members should be
in an attitude of looking for Jesus' return, and because of this they
should behave according to the sound doctrine that Paul has just
described.
Paul
continues, “and the glorious appearing of the great God and
Saviour Jesus Christ.” Just in case it was not clear as to what
that blessed hope was, Paul states it in this portion of the verse.
He calls it “the glorious appearing” which denotes
splendor, brightness and magnificence. When Jesus returns it will
indeed be glorious, and those who trust in, rely upon and cling to
Him will experience one of the most majestic sites they will ever
know.
Still this glorious appearing is not
just for someone famous or well-known, this grand entrance will be
“of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The great God
will appear. The Saviour Jesus Christ will appear, and there is no
other more grand, more magnificent or resplendent than He! Jesus
Christ is coming again, and those who long for and look for His
appearance know the importance of keeping their lives according to
sound doctrine so that when He appears, they need not be ashamed.
Even so, Come Lord Jesus!
Next time we will learn just what Jesus
Christ did for us, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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