Titus 2:13-14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
God purchased and saved us to make himself a people that were set apart from any other people. Peculiar is a word not often used in casual conversation. Often, we say things like, “strange,” or “weird.” The idea of peculiarity is like when you suddenly see someone or something that obviously sticks out. In the Midwest, a relatable “peculiar” sighting are the Amish. A buggy going down the road, or a family of strangely dressed children make everyone do a double take. Why is that? It is an unusual sight! The clothes they wear are different from ours, the vehicles they use, the language they use, and the way they act are all peculiar to you and me.
There are many fantastic verses for why Jesus came to die on Calvary. He came to seek and save that which was lost Luke 19:11, he came to die for sinners of whom I am chief 1 Timothy 1:15, he was given because God loves us John 3:16, and here we see he “gave himself for us, that he might purify unto himself a peculiar people.” After the act of redemption (us being saved), Jesus Christ died for us so that we could be made PECULIAR.
What makes a person strange? What sets people apart from one another? Anything outside of the normal, expected rules and standards makes a person peculiar. If we were to move to another country, what would stand out to us (and how would we stand out to others)? The different way people talk, the different actions people would take, and the different way people would dress. Look back at our example of an Amish family walking by us in the store. They speak differently – sometimes speaking with a slight accent, or in an entirely different language. They act differently – they ride bicycles or horse drawn carriages. They look different – they wear plain fabrics with simple colors.
We see outlined by Paul what should make us, as Christians, peculiar. What should set us apart from the world and the lost?
1. Peculiar Works
The text verse of Titus 2:14 says, “purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Christians should have a set of activities that set them apart. We recognize that all other people and professions are known for what they do. Proverbs 20:11 says it even, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” The works that excite a Christian should be good works that set us apart to make us peculiar. The work of soul winning, good works to help others out, and work around the church make the Christian peculiar.
2. Peculiar Lifestyle
In Titus 2:1, Paul teaches young Titus in 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Paul then begins to spell out for every age group in the church a peculiar way to live. In laymen terms, the old men should not be mean, or dirty old men. They should be sincere, merciful, patient men. The women should not be popularized by television shows. They should not use their words as a lashing whip, but they should use their words to uplift and teach others. Young people should learn to be serious minded, they should know what they believe in and why, and they should have a moral testimony that sets them apart.
3. Peculiar Hope
What seriously sets apart the Christian from the worldly lost is a mindset. The lost and the world have no idea or only a foggy interpretation of what to hope for in this life. The afterlife is an afterthought, and the future is only as bright as optimism allows. Paul tells Titus in a great way what we are to expect as Christians in Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” He goes so far as to instruct in verse 15: “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” We have a hope that endures any test. A hope that no matter how bad the earth may get with wars and rumors of wars, and a hope that when we close our eyes we definitely know what will be in front of us.
The list could go on and on. These three things could be preached individually, but for today what is important is to ask yourself: Am I allowing God’s Word and my obedience to it to make me peculiar?
Jesse Mccammon | Pastor
Flora Calvary Baptist Church | Flora, IL
