Titus 3:4-6 "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"
So far we have seen that God is love and God gave love. Today's passage tells
us that God's love APPEARED. Again, the appearing of God's love brings about
His desired effect. The appearance of God's love - through the work of God's
love - We are redeemed through the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. God's
love is His Son and we, who are in Christ Jesus, have received the cleansing
from our sins "according to His mercy."
This being Christmas Eve, I hope to spend much time today just contemplating
this precious gift of love that appeared to us some 2000 years ago. The Angel,
Gabriel, appeared to Mary with this beautiful greeting, "And the angel
said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
(31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth
a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:30-31) And then
"... when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under
the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5) We
celebrate this precious gift of love that suddenly appeared to us in the time
of God's planning. "And 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
2:13-14)
Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,
And heav'n and nature sing.