SEVEN WONDERS

Titus 2:11-14

Morning Meditation 7/8/2015

"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." Let's look at the first wonder,

A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." God put His grace on display when He sent Jesus, His only begotten son, to take away the sins of the world. 1 Timothy 3:16 says "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.."

God had to become a man for God's righteousness to be put on display. It is a mystery just as the verse says. Not only is it a mystery, it is a GREAT mystery. It is a truth only faith can receive. Man in his natural mind believes what he sees. But the new man in Christ sees with the eyes of the soul.

Our text says, "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." This verse has clustered together some of the most amazing truths found in any verse in the Bible. Next there is,

WONDERFUL AS OUR SAVIOUR

Jesus is called "the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. One might say that Jesus is just a man. Titus 2:11-14, "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."

Psalms 107:15 says, "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Next,

Paul said that we as believers are to wait in anxious anticipation for His return. Next we see,

A WONDERFUL GIFT

Our text says, "He gave himself." There is no greater sacrifice that could be made. He left heaven and came to earth to be made in the likeness of man so He could become the Saviour. This was a gift. This gift is as valid today as it was when this Book was written. Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Next we see,

A WONDERFUL WORK

The work of Christ here stated was to redeem and to purify, to purchase and to cleanse. When a woman buys a set of china, she does not think them fit for use until they are washed. The Lord uses us, not because we are great and gifted; not because we are clever, but because we are clean. It is not enough that we be redeemed. If God is to be glorified in us we must be cleansed. Next we see,

A WONDERFUL PEOPLE

2 Corinthians 5:17-18, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"

Christians are a peculiar people. God makes them that way. There is a real struggle that takes place in the life of a new convert. His old buddies do not know why he can't run with them anymore. His life style changes. His conversation changes. Next,

A WONDERFUL LIFE AS A SOLDIER

It is a resisting life. There are trials within. Satan is constantly setting traps to ruin the believers good name. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

We are fighting a battle already won. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" Next,

A WONDERFUL PROSPECT

The believer's prospect could not be better. God saved us by His grace and His return to this earth will be to fulfill a promise that He made to His disciples before the crucifixion. John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White