Receive the Total Package

Daily Devotional: Day 53

“Who [Jesus] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14, KJV).

In the Bible, salvation is an all-encompassing reality with far-reaching implications for those who are saved. To some people, however, salvation is primarily or exclusively about receiving a free ticket to heaven. This understanding of salvation is unfortunate, because it deprives us of many blessings God has prepared for us. Yes, being saved includes making it to heaven; but it’s not the whole story. Recently, I had a conversation with a dear brother in the Lord who lives in Maine. We were discussing current trends in the Church, when at one point, he said that we need to give God’s people “the total package.” I couldn’t agree with him more. In the Bible, salvation is a rich package, and we need to understand, embrace, teach and preach everything in the package. Where the Bible refers to a specific aspect of salvation, usually the context will tell. More about this point another time. For now, let’s focus on today’s passage. Notice how in Titus 2:14 Paul mentions four distinct but inseparable realities of salvation: 1(a) – Jesus died for us; but why? 2(a) – Answer: to redeem us from all iniquity; 2(b) – to purify unto himself a peculiar people. 3(a) – What is a distinctive, observable characteristic of this peculiar people? Answer: They are zealous of good works.

All the four points above are part of the package of salvation and they are inseparable. When we get born again, we receive each of the four blessings and much more. This means, for example, that being saved includes being zealous of good works. Keep in mind, it comes with the package. So, you don’t have to jump through loops or perform some special ritual to have this zeal. If you open your heart to walk in the complete truth of the Gospel, this zeal will soon manifest. It’s part of what Jesus gave you when he saved you by his grace. You can think of God’s gift of salvation as a total nutrition package for your soul, body, and spirit, and it deals with your past, your present and your future. Next time, God-willing, we shall delve deeper into this subject. For now, open your heart to receive everything in God’s salvation plan for you.

Prayer:

Daddy, thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. I believe that his death has redeemed me from all iniquity and has purified me. I also believe that he has blessed me with zeal for good works. I open my heart to receive everything you have for me. You are good, and your love endures forever. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

For further study: John 14:1-31