“…looking for the blessed hope
and glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ who gave himself for us
that he might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for himself
his own special people,
zealous for good works.”
Titus 2:13-14

“that he might redeem us…”

Christ gave himself for us not only for salvation from hell, but also that he might redeem us from sin and purify us. It’s not our work. Trying to achieve sinlessness is impossible – no mortal man can reach the demands of “the law.” But as we walk closely with him, surrendering ourselves and every facet of our lives to him, HE purifies us – day by day, story by story, because we ARE “his own special people.”

If you get discouraged with the seeming slowness of the process, remember this – when you plant a seed you don’t then kneel down and wait to see it grow. You simply know that what was planted will grow – imperceptibly for awhile – but it will eventually reach maturity. And so it is with us – seemingly imperceptible growth, but surely taking place, and it will eventually produce its fruit as long as we are “in him” who is the essence of life within us.