May 29

The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. - Titus 2:13.

WHAT would our religion be, abstracted from the exalted sentiment, that “he gave himself for us,” or if these words were philosophized away? But Christians feel their power and their vitality. What an evidence have we here of the mighty doctrine of “the faith once delivered to the saints,” the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle, in speaking of “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” means that he is intended. This is undeniable, because of his appearance. The appearance is never in the Scriptures applied to the Father, but only to the Son; and the being who is to appear is the same being who gave himself for us to redeem us.

Nor is this all; the Apostle remarks- and what a proof again is this of his divinity-that our recovery is not only from him as the author, but terminates in him as the last end. He says, he gave himself for us to “purify unto himself a peculiar people.” In another place, it is said, “He hath redeemed us unto God by his blood.” Here then he does it to present us to himself a “glorious church.” He cleanses it and washes it by the washing of water, that he might present it to himself a “glorious church.” As in the old creation, so in the new; “all things are made by him and for him.” And we are here reminded of our obligations to him, that we may acknowledge not only our dependence on him now, but how much we owe him, and shall owe him for ever; that we may dedicate ourselves to his service, and ask, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

And, therefore, how valuable and worthy does the gospel appear. It infinitely suits our wants, and completely relieves them. It is a doctrine of godliness and grace. “It is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life which now is, and the life which is to come.” It unites the glory of God and the happiness of man together; while it tranquilizes the conscience of the sinner, it heals his moral maladies, and makes him a new creature. Well may the gospel, which is so holy in its tendencies, so sublime in its doctrines, so adapted to make men individually and socially happy, be called the glory and excellency of God.

While we would be thankful for this inestimable blessing, let us be concerned for its wider diffusion. It is by this alone the present evil world will be morally changed. May we therefore pray that it may have free course, run, and be glorified, and that “His way may be known upon earth, and his saving health among all nations.” Amen.