Wednesday 2021.09:01
For this afternoon's NT reading I read through all three chapters of the pastoral epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus. I came across two instances where the apostle wrote that the grace and kindness of God has appeared.
First, in Titus 2:13, we read that God's grace has appeared, bringing salvation to all mankind, and that we who are saved now wait in hope for the appearing of Iesus Christos, who is the glory of our great God and Saviour.
Titus 2:11 - 14 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 Saviour, 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.
Later, in Titus 3:4, it is written that God our Saviour saved us when His kindness and love appeared, not by any of our righteous deeds, but by His mercy, through baptism in water and renewal in the Holy Spirit. God has poured on us His Holy Spirit through Iesus Christos our Saviour.
Titus 3:4 NIV
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Note that God is called "our Saviour" in Titus 2:13 and 3:4, whilst Iesous the Anointed is called "our Saviour" in Titus 3:6.
