REDEEMED FROM . . . REDEEMED FOR
“Who 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
What did God have in mind for us when He saved us? What did He redeem us from, and what did He redeem us for? We will forever be grateful for our salvation. How is it that God could love us as He has? He has brought to us forgiveness of sin, an opportunity to begin again by the grace of God, and the privilege of reconciliation and fellowship. But, our perspective of salvation is primarily personal. We see how we have benefited from our new life, but it is possible to overlook God’s purpose.
The Scripture allows us to grow in our understanding of God’s goals in our redemption. Thank God, He redeemed us to rescue us from lives of sin. He specifically says “that he might redeem us from all iniquity.” We were slaves to sin and self and needed to be redeemed. Our salvation certainly provides forgiveness for all our past sins, but God wants to continue to deliver us from the sinful practices of our flesh and the lustful ways of the world. His plan is to “purify unto himself a peculiar people.” God wants the lives of His children to be surrendered and dedicated to Him.
Salvation has to do with both what we are saved from and what we are saved to. We have been saved from a life of sin to live a life of separation unto God. We have been redeemed from unholy living that we might live holy lives. We need to maintain a consciousness of His desire to purify us for Himself. This is the fruit of the grace of God working in us. Not only were we redeemed that we might be a peculiar and purified people, but also we were redeemed that we might serve the Lord with our lives.
Our text reminds us that God wants us to be “zealous of good works.” He saves us to purify us, that we might be vessels for His service. Thank God that we have been redeemed from a lifestyle of selfishness and sin. We are also grateful that we have been redeemed for a life of holiness and service to the Savior. There is something seriously wrong with a view of salvation that excludes us from the responsibility of serving our Lord. We are to be zealous about living for God and His work. God wants to use us to labor for Him and influence others. We have been redeemed from our lost condition that we might serve our Lord.