“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13
Grace! Salvation! The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ! These are all great blessings God has given or will give to us. (And yes, there’s our response in those verses, too—Because of God’s grace, we want to stay away from bad stuff and live God-pleasing lives as we wait for Him.)
I love the idea that we’re waiting for more blessings. Even though we’ve received amazing gifts from God already, when Jesus returns in glory, He will give His Advent gift of eternal life with Him!
During the Advent season, we think of how Jesus came as a baby. He wasn’t born in a fancy hospital or palace. The King of the universe was laid in a manger, a feed trough for animals. And how glad we are that God sent us a Savior from sin!
It’s so easy to fall into sin, isn’t it? The world is full of temptations. Ungodliness and worldly passions are on display on our phones, at movies, on billboards, at school. It’s a tall order to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives! We can’t do it on our own.
Advent is a penitential season of the Church year, when we reflect on our sin and our need for a Savior. We think about how we fail daily. We’re born with original sin and that separates us from God. This need of ours is why Jesus came to earth, isn’t it? True God and true man, He was the only one who could take the punishment we deserve, forgive us, and make it possible for us to have a relationship with God again.
Won’t that be amazing when Jesus returns to take us away from the temptations and trials we face? When we’ll be with Him face-to-face! What an incredible blessing that the Holy Spirit has worked faith in our hearts and that we’ve been adopted into God’s family!
This Advent we not only look forward to celebrating Christmas on December 25, but also to “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” The wisemen saw the star, which hinted at the glory of God. Moses saw glimpses of God’s glory. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured, His face and clothes dazzlingly bright. Someday it will be our turn! Someday Jesus will return in glory and take us Home.
Questions
- What’s something (besides Jesus’ return) you’re really looking forward to?
- How can you thank God for adopting you into His family and promising an amazing eternity for you because of the work of Jesus to bring you into the family? How can you serve and obey Him this week?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for hope. Thank You that You’ve earned for me an amazing eternity with You! I know it will be better than the best of everything here on earth. Thank You for giving me faith so I can live with You for all eternity! Amen.
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