Hope and holiness are two distinguishing marks of the Christian’s life. In the passage we see before us, Paul reminds Titus that salvation is to all people. Every person is given an opportunity to know Christ at some time or another. The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides us with a blessed hope, the glorious appearing of God and His Son. Christ gave Himself for us, and this provides us with a guaranteed confidence. Hopeful people live different than those without hope. Hopeful Christian have a lifestyle of holiness. Paul shares that in pursuing holiness, we should live “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Titus 2:11-15
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. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Sober
Clear-mindedness is Paul’s word to Titus. Holiness can only be pursued by those with a mind made pure by the work of the Holy Spirit and maintain that clarity. Drunkenness and a drug-induced “high” are not part of the Christian experience for pursuing holiness.
Righteous
Righteousness can be a tough word to define. Two words though have been widely-accepted as synonymous, “faithfulness” and “justice.” In other words, Paul is encouraging Titus to pursue holiness with faithfulness to God’s standard and to be just. Holy and hopeful Christians will seek to spread that hope and relationship with Christ to others regardless of their state. Being just (righteous) requires us to look out for those around us.
Godly
This is another word that is hard to define. It has been polluted by legalism. Instead of a legalistic approach to this word, it conveys a high sense of spirituality or piety. A hopeful and holy believer will seek God through spiritual disciplines. What spiritual disciplines? Look at the following incomplete list for an idea.
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Bible reading and study
- Corporate worship
- Giving
- Singing
- Serving
- Simplicity
- and much more.
Jeremy Kamer Ministries 