1. What is grace, Titus 3:7? (See also Eph_2:8-9)
▪︎ Grace is an unmerited gift or favor from God.
▪︎ It includes supernatural resources or abilities generated from the indwelling Holy Spirit.
▪︎ It is not a result of personal ability nor is it based on accomplishments we have achieved.
▪︎ Grace is a category of resources available to God’s children, provided by the power of God alone, to bring honor and glory to God alone… Examples:
• Salvation by faith alone – Eph 1:7, 2:8-9;
• Gifts of the Spirit – Rom 12:6-7; 1Peter 4:10;
• Ability to communicate the gospel to others – Rom 15:15; Col 4:6;
• Ability to be an example for Christ – 2Cor 9:8;
• Overcome weakness – 2Cor 12:9;
• Made complete, mature in Christ – 1Peter 5:10;
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the men of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
2. What is faith, Heb 11:1? (See also Heb 11:1 KJV)
▪︎ Faith is belief in God’s word as the accurate assessment of true reality.
▪︎ An assessment of reality that may contradict other people’s views or perceptions.
▪︎ Faith is the mechanism provided for man to access the resources of God’s grace.
▪︎ It is the approved path for God’s children to walk as opposed to walking based on other perceptions like sight (2Cor 5:7; Rom 1:17).
▪︎ Faith is an inner assessment of reality based on God’s word and may be in conflict with or contrary to other views of the same picture. Examples:
• Promise guaranteed – Rom 4:16,
• Justification leading to peace and hope – Rom 5:1-2;
• Tested by current difficulties – 1Peter 1:7,
• Better than perception – 1Peter 1:8-9;
3. What are the benefits of faith, Heb 11:2?
Approval
• approval (μαρτυρέω – Greek) – martureó ► to bear witness, testify, give evidence, affirm that one has seen, heard, or experienced something – Heb 11:39-40;
• witness, testify – Heb 11:2, 4, 5;
Justification
• justify (δικαιόω – Greek) – dikaioó ► to show to be righteous, to justify – Gal 3:6-7, 8; Rom 5:1; James 2:23;
)• approval (μαρτυρέω – Greek) – martureó ► to bear witness, testify, give evidence, affirm that one has seen, heard, or experienced something – Heb 11:39-40;
• witness, testify – Heb 11:2, 4, 5;
Justification
• justify (δικαιόω – Greek) – dikaioó ► to show to be righteous, to justify – Gal 3:6-7, 8; Rom 5:1; James 2:23;
▪︎ By faith man is justified (made righteous, gains approval) before God – Rom 8:1-2
▪︎ It gives access to the full payment for sin (past, present, and future sins) incurred by our unrighteous behavior – Rom 6:23
▪︎ By faith we are saved and gain eternal life – Rom 1:16; 1Peter 2:24;
▪︎ It provides access to grace (inner working of the Holy Spirit) to empower us to…
• experience holiness – 1Peter 2:9
• study God’s word – 2Tim 2:15
• pray effectively – Rom 8:26
• escape temptation – 1Cor 10:13
• die to sin – Rom 8:13; Col 3:5 KJV
• actually dead to sin – Gal 2:20; Rom 6:6-7, 10-11;
• live to God – Rom 6:5, 10-11
• navigate life – Ps 25:5; 2Cor 5:7;
• overcome the power of sin – Heb 2:14, 15;
▪︎ It gives us the ability to walk with God, Emmanuel – Matt 1:23;
4. What is faith’s role in our battle against sin?
Gal 2:20
Reckon
• reckon (λογίζομαι – Greek) – logizomai ► to account, reckon, middle voice from logos (to speak); to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) — conclude – James 2:23; Rom 6:10-11;
Note: middle voice highlights the significant role the Holy Spirit plays in both salvation and sanctification.
)Reckon
• reckon (λογίζομαι – Greek) – logizomai ► to account, reckon, middle voice from logos (to speak); to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) — conclude – James 2:23; Rom 6:10-11;
Note: middle voice highlights the significant role the Holy Spirit plays in both salvation and sanctification.
▪︎ By faith we are saved and Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us, giving us an earnest commitment of our eternal security – Eph 1:13; (1Peter_1:3-9;
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
)▪︎ Therefore any man “in Christ” is a new creation (2Cor 5:17). Obviously, the God of the universe, living in us is a complete game-changer from that point on.
▪︎ Logizomai is very important to our sanctification:
1. At a minimum, it is “self talk”, the voice in your head that is continually talking to you… if you can train that voice to reflect spiritual reality, your faith will be magnified and your life will be improved – Prov 23:7… “Come on man, you can do this.”
2. Second level is where faith is activated. You ask God for His help to accomplish what He wants to do in your life – Matt 6:13; Mark 14:38; “Lord if You are willing, You will get me through this.”
3. At this level we fully acknowledge…
• I am “in Christ” and that He is “in me” – Col 1:27;
• He supplements my prayers with groanings to deep for words – Rom 8:26;
• I do not necessarily see things from Your perspective, but I believe Your word.
My flesh appears to be alive and well, and out of control – Rom 7:19-20;
• I trust You to bring my thoughts into conformity with Your truth
and by faith, take control my life – Gal 2:20; Rom 6:10-11;
▪︎ Sanctification is the goal for every Christian (Col 1:28-29), being set apart in holiness for God’s purposes.
▪︎ Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth – Col 3:1-2;
▪︎ Put on Christ as a new wardrobe – Col 3:5, 10, 12;
▪︎ There is no comdemnation in Him – Rom 8:1-2;
5. What are other passages in the Word that declare this message?
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
10As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
17If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
24For,
“ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERS,
AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
10As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
17If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
24For,
“ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
THE GRASS WITHERS,
AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,
25BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.”
And this is the word which was preached to you.
▪︎ Heb_4:1-13
1Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,
THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,
“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”
8For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,
THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,
“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”
8For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
▪︎ Rom_6:8-14
8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
▪︎ Rom_8:1-11
1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
▪︎ Col_3:1-5
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Interesting Words
ratified
• ratified (κυρόω – Greek) – kuroó ► To confirm, ratify, make valid, conveys the formal, authoritative establishment of something so that it may no longer be questioned or altered – Gal 3:15; 2Cor 2:8;
• previously ratified (προκυρόω – Greek) – prokuroó ► To ratify beforehand, to preordain, to confirm in advance. – Gal 3:17;
nullify
• Set aside – (ἀθετέω – Greek) – atheteó ► To reject, to nullify, to set aside, to disregard – Gal 3:15; Luke 10:16; John 12:48; 1Cor 1:19; Gal 2:21; 1Thes 4:7-8;
• Abolish – (καταργέω – Greek) – katargeó ► To abolish, to nullify, to render ineffective, to bring to an end – Gal 3:17; Rom 3:3, 30-31, 4:13-14; 1Cor 1:28; Eph 2:14-15;
legal force
Comparing Titus 3:3-4, 5 to Eph 2:12,13; and Col 3:7-8…
3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
• THEN, We ourselves were at that time foolish toward God, and clued in to the world. NOW, we are clued in to God, and foolish to the world (1Cor 1:23, 24-25).
• We were enslaved to sin and dead to God. NOW, we are alive to God and dead to sin and the world (Rom 8:11).
• We were envious, haters; NOW we love God and all men (John 14:12, 15:13, 13:34-35)
• We were lost, but NOW we are found (Luke 15:24)
• We were separate from Christ, but NOW Christ lives in us (John 14:16, 17), being renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; 2Cor 5:17)
• We were deceived, strangers to the covenants of promise but NOW we have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13)
• We were separate and alone but NOW we are one with Israel, unified as a single new man in Christ (Eph 2:14, 15)
3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
• THEN, We ourselves were at that time foolish toward God, and clued in to the world. NOW, we are clued in to God, and foolish to the world (1Cor 1:23, 24-25).
• We were enslaved to sin and dead to God. NOW, we are alive to God and dead to sin and the world (Rom 8:11).
• We were envious, haters; NOW we love God and all men (John 14:12, 15:13, 13:34-35)
• We were lost, but NOW we are found (Luke 15:24)
• We were separate from Christ, but NOW Christ lives in us (John 14:16, 17), being renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; 2Cor 5:17)
• We were deceived, strangers to the covenants of promise but NOW we have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13)
• We were separate and alone but NOW we are one with Israel, unified as a single new man in Christ (Eph 2:14, 15)
Cross References
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