Creator, Father, King #319

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

IN THE FIRST CENTURY AD, the island of Crete was kind of like the Wild West of the ancient Mediterranean world. There were no saloon brawls, gunslingers, or showdowns at high noon. But spiritual lawlessness and idolatry abounded.

“The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons,” wrote the apostle Paul in Titus 1:12, likely quoting Epimenides, a Cretan poet of the sixth century BC. Clearly, Crete needed the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ!

That’s why Paul started churches on Crete during one of his missionary journeys and left Titus, his Christian coworker, behind to help strengthen the churches. Paul wrote the New Testament letter of “Titus” to encourage his friend.

The letter of Titus features one of Scripture’s most concise, powerful explanations of the gospel:

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

What’s It Mean?

Let’s consider five key points of this wonderful passage in more detail:

• The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Salvation always begins with God’s sovereign grace, not human will or merit.
• We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures while we look forward with hope. Thanks to God’s mercy and Christ’s sacrifice, Christians can focus on a glorious, eternal future rather than wallowing in their wicked past.
• He gave his life to cleanse us. Praise God for the glories of imputed righteousness through Christ!
• He gave his life to make us his very own people. Praise God for our heavenly adoption through Christ!
• He gave his life to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. As God’s elect children, Christians are called to reflect the Savior’s righteousness through their loving works.

What a beautiful summary of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Now What?

Memorize Titus 2:11-14.

Did You Know?

Other ancient writers, such as Polybius (Greek) and Cicero (Roman), also cited Crete for its moral decadence.