A Short Summation of the Gospel

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the 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 wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  (Titus:11-14)

The United States of America and the nations of the world continue to descend deeper and deeper into, "ungodliness and worldly passions."  The word translated, "ungodliness," means, "lacking respect, showing itself in bold irreverence."  Indeed, "worldly passions," rule. 

Yet, for the repentant, those who long for a "better way," we still have the Good News of Jesus Christ.  "....The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."  Peter told the Roman soldier that, "God is no respecter of persons."  In other words, No one who comes to Jesus is left out, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me."

Then we also read in our text the "aspect" of the Gospel Message which far too many leave out, or choose to leave out.  Jesus shed His Most Precious Blood for the forgiveness of our sin, to bring us into His Kingdom, and, "to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  We all know the folly, disappointment, and pain of living any other way.  Jesus, "....redeem[ed] us from all wickedness," because that, "wickedness," was destroying us.  We were among those, as Ephesians 2 tells us, "....having no hope and without God in the world." 

Now, however, you and I have hope, and are with God, "in the world."  And, as the world moves closer and closer to Armageddon, you and I are called in today's text to live in obedience to Jesus, "while we wait for the blessed hope-- the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I will live, "upright and godly lives..., while we wait for," Your Second Appearing.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2