Titus 3!

[whyiloveitaly.com]

Hi everyone!
I'm a bit slow at times, but I stumbled across another WONDERFUL message of UR yesterday (how many times had I read this before??!?) in Titus 3:

"4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

God showed us His Love for us by saving us according to His mercy!
This seems very much in line with Eph. 2:

"4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. "

Praise God for His Lovingkindnesses!!
Any thoughts?

Blessings,
brian

[Aleax]

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I especially like the plural here. Many ET'ers build their theology on the idea there only are 2 aeons, the present evil aeon and the aeon to come (which is endless in duration). This verse would seem to indicate they're wrong.

[whyiloveitaly.com]

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I especially like the plural here. Many ET'ers build their theology on the idea there only are 2 aeons, the present evil aeon and the aeon to come (which is endless in duration). This verse would seem to indicate they're wrong.

Agreed. Although I am not so concerned with ages/eternity, it is certainly nice to read comparisons with other areas where "ages" is used, just to get the sense of the meaning.

I am particularly interested in verses 4-5:

"4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

"according to his mercy he saved WHO?" Us! Many ETers state that this "us" is only believers, but that is not what it seems to be saying. In fact, in verse 4, it says that God's love appeared toward MAN, not believers.

Any thoughts?
It seems clear in this passage, that salvation has truly "appeared to all men," not just to believers...

Blessings,
brian

[Molly]

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I especially like the plural here. Many ET'ers build their theology on the idea there only are 2 aeons, the present evil aeon and the aeon to come (which is endless in duration). This verse would seem to indicate they're wrong.

Agreed. Although I am not so concerned with ages/eternity, it is certainly nice to read comparisons with other areas where "ages" is used, just to get the sense of the meaning.

I am particularly interested in verses 4-5:

"4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

"according to his mercy he saved WHO?" Us! Many ETers state that this "us" is only believers, but that is not what it seems to be saying. In fact, in verse 4, it says that God's love appeared toward MAN, not believers.

Any thoughts?
It seems clear in this passage, that salvation has truly "appeared to all men," not just to believers...

Blessings,
brian

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

--Luke 2



His name shall be called Wonderful!

[shawn]

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

I especially like the plural here. Many ET'ers build their theology on the idea there only are 2 aeons, the present evil aeon and the aeon to come (which is endless in duration). This verse would seem to indicate they're wrong.

That is a very good point.  I must admit for years I thought of things in terms of life and afterlife.  But, my mind has growing within this idea of steps, stages, ages, and mankinds spiritual growth within these.

[legoman]

In the previous chapter Titus 2 there is this gem:

[NIV 1984 version]
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Its strange but I just noticed the newer version of the NIV changed it to this:

[NIV 2011 version]
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

I guess they had to change it to an "offer" otherwise it would sound too much like everyone would be saved.

But now look at this obscure version (its on biblegateway), Contemporary English Version:

[CEV]
Titus 2:11 God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people.

Wow!

[whyiloveitaly.com]

In the previous chapter Titus 2 there is this gem:

[NIV 1984 version]
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Its strange but I just noticed the newer version of the NIV changed it to this:

[NIV 2011 version]
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

I guess they had to change it to an "offer" otherwise it would sound too much like everyone would be saved.

But now look at this obscure version (its on biblegateway), Contemporary English Version:

[CEV]
Titus 2:11 God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people.

Wow!

Good observation, Legoman.

Who exactly are those who "deny the Lord that bought them?" Is it not those who say that they themselves chose Christ, and not He??

Blessings,
brian