For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
Who wants to be someone’s possession? To have someone own you where they have the rightful authority to dictate your life? I can imagine it’s not something that many of us Americans would take too kindly to. On the other hand, what if you could know with certainty that the possessor always had your best interest at heart because he had given everything of himself to be sure that your well-being was taken care of. It was not so that he could force you to be his possession, rather that you could see his unconditional love and choose to live under his instructions so that you could be blessed to receive the gracious gift of salvation that is given by submitting to his ownership. How would you then feel about denying your own ungodliness and replacing it with living righteously to be under his authority for eternal freedom?
I am so blessed to be part of the hope of those people that Jesus has purified for His own possession. With unconditional love, He gave everything in His crucified body to be certain that my best interest was taken care of. When I see the sacrifice He gave to redeem me from my lawless deeds, how can I not desire such a Master Who emboldens me to put away my worldly desires and be zealous for good deeds?
Prayer:
On this Lord’s day, I am reminded of the grace that was bestowed upon me and all men. A grace that You made possible, my great God, through the redemptive work of Jesus. He gave His life to purify a people for His own possession; a people that would deny their worldly desires, and be zealous for good works. As I partake of the bread and fruit of the vine today, I remember who I belong to and how He gave himself to redeem me from every lawless deed. Forgive me when I have not listened to the instructions of living righteously. I will do better to live godly in this present age. In remembrance of my Savior, Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
See also the poem His Possession
Truth in Love 