May 28

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. - Titus 2:13-14.

HERE we are taught what believers are to expect, and what they are to acknowledge. It teaches us what to expect. This hope does not mean the grace of hope, but the object of hope. Observe its residence. It is said to be in another place, “laid up for us in heaven.” It is described by its attribute, “blessed,” and it may well be called “that blessed hope;” for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” And it is also described by the season when it is to be attained; “at the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” This season is mentioned because it will then be accomplished.

The intermediate state is not denied, or overlooked, or undervalued by the Apostle, here or elsewhere, but he leads forward very naturally the minds of Christians to the consummation of the whole in the adoption: that is to say, the redemption of the body, when the flesh, which has slept in hope, shall be awakened; when this “vile body” will be changed, and fashioned like the Saviour’s own glorious body; when the number of the redeemed will be complete, as well as their persons, and the whole of them entered into the joy of their Lord.

It also teaches believers what they are to acknowledge, for their religion is not a future existence only. No, they can look backward as well as forward; we are to acknowledge that he gave himself not only to us but for us. That is, to be poor, to be persecuted and oppressed, to suffer and to die, and not to be a martyr only, but to be a Redeemer; not only to redeem them from the guilt, and the curse, and the horrible consequences of our manifold iniquity, but as we are defiled, as well as guilty, and stand in need of renovation as well as pardon, “to purify them unto himself “by the agency of the Holy Spirit, that they might be “a peculiar people;” whose peculiarity should not consist in notions, in opinions, in the shape of a garment, in the use of a pronoun, or in a dissent from the ancient established customs and manners of the community in which they live; but a practical peculiarity and dissent from the Spirit and maxims and cares of the world-“a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

These are the glorious truths that feed and nourish our experience and practice. Under the influence of these principles may we live, and in the enjoyment of them die.