Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

If you are a Christian, you are owned. No matter how you slice it, you belong to God. This is reality, but if you recognize the grace, mercy, and love of the One who owns you, it is the best position to ever be in. Many buck against the idea of belonging to anyone. We want our autonomy. But the Scriptures teach us that we are God’s possession. 

This point comes up in our passage today. There are two ways that we are owned by God. First, we are owned by the nature of our relationship to God as Creator. He is the Creator; we are the created. He has ownership rights over us. As such, we are made by God and for God. We are dependent on Him and accountable to Him. That is one way we are His possession. The second way comes up in our passage. Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

Notice Paul outlines the Christian life. The salvation that comes through Jesus trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. Instead, we must live self-controlled, upright, and godly in the present age. Why? Because we don’t belong to ourselves. If Jesus has saved us, then we are His. In fact, that is how Paul concludes the argument in these verses. He reminds us that Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession. Those bought by Him and redeemed by His blood owe their lives to Him. We are possessed by the King. 

This is the greatest privilege of all. To belong to Jesus is the greatest thing we can acknowledge. The world can rebel against Christ and refuse to bow the knee, but they still belong to God as creatures. They are accountable to Him, and it doesn’t end well for them. But those who have trusted Christ, recognize they are owned by the Creator, but they also recognize they are loved by Him. He bought them and made them His possession. He doesn’t discard or treat His possessions with flippancy. He is for us. Walk in that truth today.

"If you are a Christian, you are owned.
No matter how you slice it,
you belong to God.
This is reality, but if you recognize
the grace, mercy, and love
of the One who owns you,
it is the best position to ever be in."

Tweet This!

Reflection & Journal: 
- Why do people struggle with the idea of belonging to someone else?
- What are the two types of ways we can be owned by God?
- How does the truth of being Christ’s possession inform your heart to live for Him?

Did you miss yesterday's devotional? If so, find it HERE

We make these devotions freely available to thousands of readers daily. If you’d like to help support the ministry, please click here to learn more.