Big Words in Titus 3

We wrapped up our study of Titus last week and I was amazed (again!) at what God did. First of all, we didn't have room around our 4 tables for all the women that came. God is moving in the hearts of women in our church and in our town and I am amazed to see what He is doing! I'm seeing women seeking Him more and studying His Word more and attending church more and getting more and more excited about their walk with the Lord!  I hope that describes you, dear reader of my blog. If not, ask Him to give you MORE of what He has for you and He surely will do it! Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it will be given to you! Seek and you will find!" So go ahead, ask Him for more.

I want to wrap up our study by throwing some big words at you. We're gonna talk about salvation, justification, adoption and sanctification. Read Titus 3:3-7.

Paul starts in these verses by pointing out what the natural man looks like. Have you ever heard anyone declare that we're all "basically good"? NOPE. We're all basically awful sinners. Let's face it, even one little bitty sin will separate us from God for eternity. And most of us have a few more than one, right? Paul says in Titus 3:3, "We were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another." Does that sound like people are "basically good" to you?

So where's the good news? Here it comes in Titus 3:4-6. "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, HE SAVED US, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior..." Our salvation came because God our Savior appeared (think the Christmas story!) It wasn't because of anything we did, but only because of his mercy. Salvation.

Now this was "so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:7) What does it mean to be justified by his grace? It means that when we die (and we will ALL die) and we stand before the Father (and we'll ALL do that too), Jesus will say, "That one? I paid for her sin. She's mine." Justified.

And not only are we justified, but we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Heirs. That makes me think of the royal family in England. Right now, the whole country is awaiting the birth of Prince William's heir. It's a thrilling position, full of royalty and privilege. And that's the position we hold with our Father God. We are heirs. Adopted.

The last big word is the trickiest. Sanctification. Merriam Webster makes it simple.

Sanctify: to make something holy.

Read Titus 3:8-10. It's a list of dos and don'ts for the believer. Do good works. Don't fight with each other. This process of sanctification is one that lasts from the moment we believe the good news of Jesus Christ until the moment we come face to face with Him in heaven. As we turn our backs on the things that displease the Father and we begin to do the good works He has for us, He makes us more holy, more like Him. Sanctification.

"And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful...Grace be with you all." (Titus 3:14-15) Salvation. Justification. Adoption. Sanctification. Aren't you glad you're HIS?