Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the 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 wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
This week we will read and ponder some of the most helpful teachings in the Bible about fighting the power and effect of sin in our lives. We begin with a statement from Paul’s little-known letter to Titus. Titus was a young preacher whom Paul was mentoring. Paul explains that our Christian behavior is motivated by our appreciation of God’s grace and salvation. Furthermore, Christ’s work on the cross actually turns us from wickedness and purifies us. It does so through several means. Christ’s perfection helps us to recognize our sins (a lot of time we don’t even realize that what we are doing is against God’s will.) Our love for Christ and our gratitude for his rescuing us, moves our hearts so we want to please him and be like him. Finally, he has defeated Satan’s power over us, so we are free to do the right thing.