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Introduction
A simple definition of the Christian life is that we are in Christ and are called to live for Christ. This sounds easy enough. Then we try to live this out. The Christian life is simple and difficult at the same time.
On one hand, we can minimize the importance of godly living because we are justified by grace. So, if I am justified by grace, then who cares about the fruits of my faith? I already am righteous, and my fruits are insignificant. So, we can think. Clearly, this is not a life of seeing ourselves as dead to sin and raised to life in Christ.
On the other hand, we can turn Christian living into a burdensome system of rules and duties. We can see that God is a God of perfection, so we'd better get busy and work really hard. This is not heeding Christ’s assuring words that his burden is light and easy (Matthew 11:30).
Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 32 directs us away from both extremes by grounding our life in Christ. Because we belong to Christ, we are called to live in gratitude, not to earn our salvation, but to live by and in the power of grace we received in Christ.
Living the Godly Life
Our temptation is to think that we need to live a godly life so that we prove our worthiness to receive grace. This is a wrong-headed approach. The Christian life begins with the reality that Christ has redeemed us by his blood. Our worthiness is in his redemption. Christ has credited his righteousness to us. He has made us worthy to draw near. In fact, his work is so sure that we are guaranteed to draw near to him.
We also know that Christ is not just a one-and-done savior. He does not just secure and go away. Christ is continually renewing us by the Holy Spirit. Our righteousness is found in Christ, and our sanctification flows from our union with him. When we know that we are in Christ, then we can see why we sin the way we do. We can see the deeper issues in our hearts. We can honestly examine our hearts, confess our sins, and seek the Lord’s transforming work without falling into despair or spiritual tyranny because Christ has secured us.
Paul reminds Titus that godliness involves self-control, uprightness, and a desire to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:11-14). This growth takes place throughout our lives. We grow in Christ through his means of grace, in his church, and in the power of his Spirit. This is where the community of saints is so helpful. We learn Christian living by watching one another. Biblical teaching and preaching are important, but the Christian life is also caught. When we are plugged into Christ’s church, we have the opportunity to observe how more mature saints live out the gospel. This helps us catch the Christian life rather than thinking it is only through doctrinal teaching.
Living Between the Two Appearances of Christ
We live between two epiphanies (Titus 2:11, 13). According to Merriam-Webster, we can define an epiphany as “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” This is probably the most common way that we use the word “epiphany.” However, Merriam-Webster also defines epiphany as “an appearance or manifestation, especially of a divine being.”
The Apostle Paul is telling us that in Christ’s appearance we have a complete or essential understanding of our redemption. The Lord’s intention in Genesis 3:15 is to overcome the common curse, win heaven for the seed of the woman, and secure his people to enter the rest that Adam forfeited. Christ’s first appearance in history guarantees and grounds the promise. It moves from an asserted promise to realization. We will arrive in glory because Christ has been raised. We know we will make it because, as we take hold of Christ by faith in the power of the Spirit, we are a champion people who share in Christ’s victory.
Right now we live in the power of Christ’s victory, and we wait for the full glory where we receive all the physical blessings. It is in the fullness of glory that we will possess the resurrection body, new heavens and earth, and ultimately enjoy our rest in the Lord’s presence. We live in the power of Christ’s first “epiphany”, and now we wait for Christ’s final “epiphany.” The Apostle Paul is simply saying that Christ’s first appearance secured his people, and his second appearance is Christ bringing his people and this creation to glory.
This hope shapes how we live today. As we walk in Christ and grow in godliness, our lives become an expression of praise to God and a witness to others. Christian evangelism is not merely a method or program, but also flows from the joy, peace, and confidence we have in our Redeemer. We live in the doxology, or praise of our God. Our Savior has redeemed us, continues to shepherd us by His Spirit, and will faithfully bring His people to glory.
Our Motivation for Godly Living
Scripture soberly warns that those characterized by unrepentant sin will not inherit the kingdom of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:5), and we must never minimize the seriousness of sin or treat it as harmless. There is an important distinction between struggling against sin and embracing sin as a defining pattern of life without repentance. When sin defines who we are, then we are no longer defined by Christ. Hence, Paul gives us the warning not to persist in sin. This is why we continue to fight against sin in the power of Christ. We know that we press forward because Christ has made us his own (cf. Philippians 3:12).
When we put sin to death, we are living in the praise, or doxology, of God’s redemption. He empowers us to live a new life. He grants the gift of repentance (Acts 11:18). The Apostle Paul reminds us that Christ’s epiphany is what gives us the conviction and ability to examine ourselves. We don’t give in to Satanic accusations (cf. Zechariah 3:1, 2), but seek to discern why we find comfort in our sins rather than Christ. We were once slaves to sin, but in Christ we have been set apart for righteousness (Romans 6:17, 18). We are called to believe it, and press forward in his power.
Our calling, then, is to be zealous for good works, not to prove our worthiness, but in grateful response to Christ who gave himself. We are secured in him and have life in him. As we put away what hinders our communion with God, we find our joy in the Redeemer who loves us, sustains us, and is coming again. So, we live in doxology, praising God, exuding our joy before the world. Our motivation for godly living is that we have been set free to enjoy living in the power of our Redeemer.
Conclusion
The Christian life is lived between the first and second epiphanies or appearances of Christ. Right now we are grounded in him by the Holy Spirit. We will always struggle in sin, living between the two epiphanies. Christ has not abandoned His people. Our great Shepherd and Priest continues to conform us to himself and leads us toward the rest he has secured. His first epiphany guarantees our victory. His second epiphany brings us into the glorious physical blessings of his victory. Therefore, let us pursue godliness not as a tyrannical burden or an attempt to earn God's favor, but as the joyful response of those who have been redeemed.
We live in the doxology of God. Let us live in the praise of our gracious God, resting in the assurance that our Redeemer lives, that our worthiness is found in him, and that he will faithfully bring us through this age into glory.
(A helpful resource is Walter Marshall’s “Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.” You can download the book for free.)
Don't forget to check out our Sermon Shorts on YouTube for brief summaries and highlights from our sermons, or listen to the full message through our podcast.