Titus 2:11-15 - God’s People

In Saskatchewan we like to say that this is God's country filled with God's people - only with the Holy Spirit can you get through those winters.  But who are God's people?  And where is God's country?

        The Bible (OT and NT) teaches us that Jesus made a new covenant with us, His people (Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8:8-12).  This may be new to you and if so I gladly share it with you.  Jesus is God.  God’s agreement with us is sealed with what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary.  Jesus gave His life for us - now that is love.

Remarkably, there is considerable debate and doubt in the Church and out about who exactly is God’s people.  We entertained a group of well-educated people at our house who tried to convince us that all paths lead to the top of the mountain.  They were nice people I suppose, but truly insufferable in their ignorance and their disdain for the Gospel.  Their committed contention was that all religions are effectively the same and that we all get to the same place.  It’s a nice theory and sounds good, but it is a lie straight from hell.

        I stake my life and trust in the truth of Jesus Christ.  Verse 14 here is clear.  Jesus died on the cross to “make us his very own people, committed to doing good deeds” (2:14).  Do not be bullied or brow beaten by those claiming you are preaching a “replacement theology” or that God has various “people” or “paths to heaven.”  God brought His salvation to all people, but His prized possession, His children, are those who put their lives in the hands of His only begotten Son.

We must be united in Christ, bound together.  For there is only one people of God, one hope for any person, one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4-5).

        We have everything in Christ.  We are His very own people.  So yes, the Good News is that our Saviour’s death on the cross brings salvation to all people.  All means all.  That means God brings salvation to the people of Canada, Pakistan, Belgium - and yes to China, Russia, and South Africa.

        All means all.  Just think about how much God loves the people in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.  I would love to see stadiums in Saudi Arabia filled to the brim with people praising their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray that I get to see that day; I trust that I will - here or in eternity.  God loves them so much that He brings them salvation - the power of Jesus giving His life to free every person from sin, giving them new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

        But as you know, you can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.  It is the same with the revealed salvation of Jesus Christ.  People love their darkness.  They love to claim that the Gospel is not the only way because they want their way to be okay too.  They want the benefits of the banquet table, but they really can't stand the Host or His way.

        We are told to go and preach and to make disciples.  That’s our part.  The Holy Spirit does the rest.  You can teach the truth of God and encourage every person to trust in God and devote themselves to doing good.  People in every nation on earth will trust in Jesus Christ, and yet many will not.  Many will refuse to drink the water of new life - many will disregard what you say.

        As men and women of Christ today we have the challenge and the responsibility to be committed to doing good deeds. Today.  All day.  We are to live as good examples for the young men and women.  Be well prepared to listen today.  And if need be, speak.  Encourage the church.  It’s a new day.  May everything we do reflect the integrity and seriousness of the task that God gives us.  Teach the truth.  Teach it as the Bible does.  Don’t pontificate, guess, or speculate about fables myths, or predictions that are not clearly taught by Jesus.  

        State what we know and what we don’t know.  We know God’s salvation was revealed in Jesus Christ - brought to all people for them to accept or reject.  And we know that Jesus reigns today in the heavenly Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2).  No one knows the day of Jesus' return.  But we do know that Jesus will return on that wonderful day “when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed” (2:13).  

        Lord Jesus, please cleanse us today and give us your grace and peace.  Help us to go and make disciples today and to be instruments of your Good Will.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Watching college basketball with friends here in LYH.