WEEKLY DEVOTION: Why did Christ redeem you?

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

Christians cling to the Biblical doctrine that we are saved by God’s grace alone for the sake of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world, and rightly so, for even our best works fall short and no one can be justified in God’s sight by his own works under the law (cf. Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:23-24; Titus 3:4-7). Yet, many forget why it is that Christ died for us. They attempt to use the grace of God only as an insurance policy to keep them from the fires of hell while they purposely and intentionally continue to play with the matches of sin!

What is the purpose of God’s grace? Why did God send His only-begotten Son to die for us? If we have come to know and trust in God’s mercy and grace toward us for the sake of Jesus’ innocent sufferings and death for our sins and the sins of the whole world, how should we then live as God’s redeemed children?

God’s Word gives us a beautiful and concise summary of this truth when it tells us: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Did Jesus die for us that we might escape the fi res of hell but live on in sin and wickedness? No, He died to save us from the fires of hell that we might live for Him and seek to be what He created us to be – refl ections of His holiness and glory (cf. Eph. 2:10; 2 Cor. 5:15; Phil. 3:8ff.; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:28ff.; Heb. 3:7ff.). He redeemed us from sin that we might live for Him, both now in this world and for eternity in heaven!

No, we are not yet perfect. We continue to sin and come short, but we confess our sins and receive cleansing in Jesus’ shed blood (1 John 1:7 – 2:2) and press on toward the goal of our calling – to be like Jesus – looking forward to that day when Jesus returns and changes our vile and sinful bodies into perfect and holy bodies, like His, that we might serve our God in true righteousness and holiness forever (cf. Phil. 3:20-21)!

Forgive us, O Lord, for abusing Your grace and mercy, for turning aside into sin and disobedience and counting the blood which You shed for our salvation as a common thing. Grant that we hold fast to Your grace and mercy but also seek to live our lives for You and look forward to Your coming and that day when we shall serve You forever, without sin! Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible.]