Ways to Prepare For Christ’s Return Day 4: Don’t Lose Hope (Titus 3:4 – 7)
“. . . 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, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4 – 7).
In the first century, the isle of Crete was an island with no hope. In fact, we are told that it was an island driven by chaos. Paul quotes Epimenides, a resident prophet of the island, to point out that, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons’” (Titus 1:12). In the next verse, Paul piles on by telling Titus, “This testimony is true!” So, how did the gospel make it to the island? We are not quite sure. However, Luke tells us in Acts 2 that there were people from the isle of Crete in the audience at Pentecost (Acts 2:11). So, it is very possible that God had made a divine appointment to transform their lives at Pentecost because he loved the Cretans! If so, can you imagine the journey home as they approached the island, arriving with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that would bring hope to the hopeless island?
The reputation of the people on the island did not keep Paul and Titus from investing in ministry with them and providing direction as they planted churches and led the pastors. Paul’s letter to Titus continues the theme found throughout the pastoral epistle of building teams, increasing the ministry capacity of the pastoral leaders and support leadership, and preparing them for conflict with false teachers and their ideologies.
In Chapter 3, Paul spends the bulk of the chapter reminding Titus to point the church toward unity, respect for each other, and the hope found in salvation. In the middle section of the chapter, Paul paints the picture of the believer’s life after describing all our lives before becoming followers of Jesus. In Verse 4, he focuses on the goodness of God and the provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul then speaks to the fact that we cannot earn our salvation. Describing it as a grace gift received by faith in Jesus, Paul uses the end of Verse 7 to explain that in this new relationship with God, we become “heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” In this statement, Paul reminds Titus that hope can only be found in a relationship with Christ. He adds that this hope is grounded in the reality of redemption found at the cross. It is a reality in our lives that leads to eternal life.
This week, we will be immersed in the tension of a nation at the end of a very contentious electoral process. Sadly, many around us will lose hope this week. This is not the response of a believer who finds their hope in Christ alone. We know that Jesus is coming and that He will deliver us from the chaos in our own lives, and we will spend eternity with Him. These are words that describe the blessed hope we find in the comfort of God, Who always keeps His promises. So, don’t lose hope! Meditate today on the words Paul wrote in Titus 2:11 – 14 as we approach the week ahead, and be a bearer of hope for those who need it!
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 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 (Titus 2:11 – 14).
Pastor Chuck