Hate the sins they commit but, pray for the sinner. Sin is at the heart of all of humanities problems. If we see someone in need but do nothing we are complicit in rejecting the commands of Jesus to love our neighbors as we do ourselves. There is no other way.
Roman 5:18-21 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The disobedience of Adam was overcome by the obedience of Jesus, all man-all God. The law made the human race aware of what was right and wrong. Without any power to keep the Law it is only in Christ that we have freedom from the sin that has overcome the world. In spite of the gross sins of humanity there is hope because where sin abounds so much more does the grace of God. His grace is sufficient in overcoming evil in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. His shed blood overcame the sins of the world. The worst of sinners has forgiveness through Him. Where sin abounds grace abounds more through the righteousness in Jesus Christ our Lord in the finished work of the Cross. The sins of the world were nailed to His cross.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Our faith in Jesus in the finished work of the Cross and under the tutelage of Holy Spirit, whom the Father places in us, will change us precept by precept. He gives us a new heart of love, mercy in the peace of God removing our hardened heart of stone.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Only in Jesus and in His righteousness can mankind be saved.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Jesus provided all that was necessary for our restoration to the Father and eternal life with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
We now live and abide in His righteousness and not our own. There is no one righteous in ourselves. No. Not. One.
Romans 5:16-19 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
The free gift of salvation is for ALL mankind to all who accept it by faith. Everything needed for our restoration to God is in the person of Jesus the Christ.
John 1:9 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
This precious gift of God, the man Jesus, offered His life for ALL of humanity.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Out of our gratitude for the work of the Cross we share His love with all of humanity. For God so loved the world that He gave the life of His only begotten Son to save us. In our rejection of Jesus we condemn ourselves. John 3:18. Carla
Grace of God is a reference to Christ’s appearance on earth—including His life, death, and resurrection—which manifested God’s grace and made possible salvation. It describes the present time, with a negative connotation (1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10). Blessed hope refers to the anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. The foundation of Christian hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By anticipating His return, the believers in Crete acknowledge that He lives and has victory over death. In setting themselves apart for God, they reveal for unbelievers a glimpse of life in God’s kingdom—life in the age to come.
Our great God and Savior identifies Jesus with God. He who gave Himself for us refers to Christ’s violent and sacrificial death (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Timothy 2:6).
Paul reminds the believers in Crete of the price and purpose of God’s redemption. The Sacrifice of Christ that He might redeem, the Greek word used here, lytroō, means “to release” or “set free,” especially from slavery (Titus 2:9 and 1 Peter 1:18). Paul echoes the description of God’s people in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 32:9).
Good deeds refers to deeds done for the benefit of others (1 Timothy 5:10, 25; 6:18). Good deeds are not a means to salvation; rather, they are the appropriate response to God’s redemptive work in Christ (Titus 2:11–14). Faithlife Study Bible.
Twice in this context Paul speaks of Christ’s appearance in history. The first time Christ came in grace to save men from their sins; the second time He will come in glory (verse 13) to reign.
The appearance of the grace of God is to produce two results in the lives of believers: First, we are to resist the evil temptations of this world, living godly lives in this present age. Second, we are to look for Christ’s return. Paul reminded Timothy that there is a special crown awaiting “all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Great God and Savior Jesus Christ is one of the strongest statements of the deity of Christ in the New Testament. Redeem means “to purchase.” With His death on the Cross, Christ paid the price to release us from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7) to which every unbeliever is a slave (Romans 6:6, 7, 17, 20).
God’s purpose in redeeming us is not only to save us from hell; He also wants to free us from sin so that we can produce good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:8–10).
For the third time in this letter (1:11, 13), Paul strongly commands Titus to confront false teachers. NKJV Study Bible.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
1 Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
This journey begins—and continues each day—when we allow ourselves to fall into this grace. To hear the affirmation that we are indeed, a cluttered house that hides the Holy One. True, there are many times when we may not see the Holy One in ourselves, but it shouldn't keep us from singing, “This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." SabbathMoments
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts places a significant emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life and mission of the early Church. The God of the Bible is three in one (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), so the Spirit is God, and Acts portrays Him as the driving force behind the spread of the gospel, empowering believers for ministry and guiding them in their decisions and actions.
Acts depicts the early Church as a diverse community of people unified in faith. Specifically, Luke highlighted the participation of both Jews and gentiles in the Church as well as the active involvement of women, such as Lydia and Priscilla. We also see the importance of organization within each local church, as elders or pastors provided leadership, stability and care to the church family. United by their common faith in Christ, believers shared their resources and supported one another spiritually and materially in a manner that made the Christian faith very attractive to the watching world. While the early Church multiplied and thrived, its growth wasn't without difficulty. Luke recounts that early Christians faced persecution at the hands of religious authorities, mobs and political rulers. Despite these challenges, the believers remained steadfast in their faith, leaning on one another and on God's protection and sovereignty. And although the persecution was intended to destroy the Church, God's people only grew stronger! First5
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