This passage reiterates purpose: God’s purpose through Jesus, our current mission on earth, and the Spirit’s ongoing purpose in our hearts.
“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, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (v11-15)
As usual, Paul packs a number of themes into a small amount of text (using his classic run-on sentence of course):
– God’s grace brings salvation and purification through Jesus
– God sent His Spirit to guide and teach us
– We are to partner with the Spirit to grow ‘fruit’, perform good works, and declare the gospel message
– Jesus / God deserves all honor and glory for any blessing(s) we have received (especially salvation, see also Eph 2:8-9)
– We have the authority of Jesus Christ and fearlessness of the Spirit to face any spiritual warfare in this world
The theme of purification is an integral doctrine because we, through sin, have become corrupt people with filthy hearts. Jesus made it possible for us to be fully spiritually cleansed by paying the penalty for our sin, and clothing us with His righteousness. He paid our sin debt, so we now belong to Him (“people for his own possession” similar to how a parent adopts a child into their family, or a master obtains a bondservant) which is why we’re called to obedience and service.
Since scripture indicates the process of purification has multiple tenses (past, present and future), I suggest we regularly spend time with God exploring this concept. Let’s ask for God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness today as our next step on this life-long journey. We will eventually be fully purified (when we receive glorified, sin-free bodies in heaven) but until then we will remain a work in progress.
Father God, our Merciful and Gracious King, thank you for forgiveness of sin and cleansing our hearts through Jesus’ loving sacrifice. This process of purification is a beautiful and blessed thing, bringing us closer to You each step of the way. May we continue to partner with Your Spirit, and grow in fruitfulness each day, glorifying You with our works and words. May others observe our purification and desire their own, and one day proclaim Your sovereignty in their lives. We praise You in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training