"...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 2:13-14
It says here that Jesus gave Himself for us for two purposes: to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify a people for Himself.
God’s Law is summed up in two commandments: “Love God with all your might” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A lawless life, one life lived outside of that Law, is a life where neither God nor my neighbor is loved, and I only love myself. We’ve been redeemed from living that way; we don’t have to live like that any longer!
We were redeemed to be purified. God is taking each of us through the purification process, step by step, and the old self-centered lawlessness is being purged away as we learn to be His people; a people zealous (enthusiastic) about doing good, no longer serving ourselves but serving others in love.
Lord, please show me where the old self-centeredness still clings to my heart. Purify me of it. Fill me with enthusiasm for showing love to You and for showing your love to some else. Open my eyes to the opportunities to do something good that you will place in my path today, as I wait for your appearing.
Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles