Verse of the Day 12/24

Verse of the Day 12/24

Titus 2:14  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.    English Standard Version (ESV)

I've spent much time this Christmas Advent season in the gospels of Matthew and Luke and the Old Testament books of Psalms and Isaiah. But there are so many other passages that are not thought of as "Christmas" passages that are amplified against the backdrop of the season.  Today's passage is one of  those.  In John 3:16 we recall that "for God so loved the world" that He gave Jesus to us in human form.  This passage in Titus in verse 11 states "for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation".  That is what we are celebrating, the gift of Jesus and what He brought  to us was the gift of salvation and deliverance from "the wages of our sin" .  Romans 6:23

C. S. Lewis reminds us that He came down to lift us up, "God descends to re-ascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity… down to the very roots and sea-bed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the ruined world up with Him. One has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, he must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders."

I'm reminded of the hymn that we sang in church when I was a child.  Perhaps not often thought of in relation to Christmas, but the song points to that Christmas  so long ago and what He went on to accomplish in His life, death, and resurrection.

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,  When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;  My sins were washed away -  And my night was turned to day -  Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!    Born of the Spirit with life from above into God's fam'ly divine,  Justified fully thru Calvary's love, O what a standing is mine!  And the transaction so quickly was made when as a sinner I came,  Took of the offer of grace He did proffer - He saved me, O praise His dear name!      The passage in Titus also points  to His second coming, something that   we as Christians should  be  anticipating and looking forward to every   day of our lives.      --   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Titus 2:11-15English Standard Version (ESV)

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.

¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.