Titus 2:14 – who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds.
Did you notice the words "IN HIMSELF" and "FOR HIMSELF?"
Because Paul used 2 specific Greek words in 1 sentence that perfectly described the work that Jesus came and did in Himself and for Himself, and its life changing when we meditate on it.
The 2 words are ζηλωτὴν (zélótén) and καλῶν (kalōn).
ζηλωτὴν (zélótén) means: someone who overflows with passion and burns with zeal.
καλῶν (kalon) means 'beautiful', 'goodness', 'that's attractive', and 'an honourable character of someone that's inwardly lovely'.
Watch this now: Jesus gave Himself for us, has REDEEMED us for Himself and made us HIS PEOPLE and PROPERTY by PURIFYING us, and the result of His work is that He created in us a people who have a beautiful attractive character of Him filled with a passionate fire.
That's why Paul reminded Titus and us to be the example and teach others from WHAT Jesus made us FOR Him!
Not only do people hear the message of what Jesus came to give us in Himself, but they get to experience and see His passion in people who are on fire for Him and who carry an attractive, lovely, and honourable character by living in Him!
Unfortunately, many believers in Christ still make the same mistake as believers did back in Titus' day, for they focus on what they sacrifice and they give unto the Lord rather than to live in fullness from WHAT Jesus in Himself has given us and made us FOR Himself!
We can only become redeemed BECAUSE JESUS GAVE HIMSELF FOR us, and as we receive Him, we get to live as the redeemed FOR HIM👏!
The same with being His people and His property, BECAUSE JESUS GAVE HIMSELF FOR US AND MADE US HIS PEOPLE FOR HIMSELF👏!
We are only purified BECAUSE JESUS GAVE HIMSELF FOR US AND MADE US PURPURE FOR HIMSELF👏!
Not one believer in Christ should ever doubt their redemption, identity or purification, nor try to earn it. No, no no, because it's all what Christ came and gave us in Himself, but also made us to be for Himself.
Now we get to live by faith in Him, filled with zeal, with passion, and yes, be on fire from the beautiful attractive character in Christ He made for Himself.
AMEN!