One of the several passages I think about on an hourly basis.

In the age of grace, waiting for glory...

Consider Paul's words to Pastor Titus: "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." (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)

Paul here talks about two appearings. First, Paul says, "For the grace of God has appeared..." Then, Paul says we are "...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..."

WOW! Hallelujah! Glory! God is good!

Do you see why my heart is leaping to euphoric worship?

First, the Christ came to usher in this age of grace we are now in, and Paul spells out the reason as clear as day:
1. "...bringing salvation for all people..."
2. "...training us to renounce ungodliness..."
3. "...training us to renounce...worldly passions..."
4. "...training us to...live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age..."
5. "...training us to..." live "...waiting for our blessed hope..."

which is... "...the appearing..." again of Jesus!

ALSO...

Paul clearly gives us the picture of the lives He wants us to lead -- the purpose for salvation and all the training:
1. "...to redeem us from all lawlessness..."
2. "...to purify us for Himself..."
3. to make us know the powerful specialness of being "...a people for His own possession..."
4. and that we might be people "...who are zealous for good works."

Hallelujah! the disciple's life is encapsulated in these powerful words. God's grace in Christ Jesus gives us great position and purpose. By His power, and because of His grace, we shall become great products.

And this, beloved, believing dear-hearts is who we are to be and what we are to be doing until this age of grace comes to an end and we see the age of glory. When Jesus appears again, it's going to be awesome! All the struggle to become will culminate in the final transformation!