Past, present, future
I love this passage in Titus 2:11-14. Paul reflects on the past when God's grace appeared in the Advent of Jesus bring salvation to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. Such grace teaches how to live in the present. Reject ungodliness and worldly desire, and instead live sensibly, righteously, and godly lives. We are to live in the present with a view not only to the past and what God has done, but also toward the future when our God and Savior, Jesus the Christ appears.
Jesus gave himself for us for a purpose, and he is currently at work in us for the same purpose, that is, to redeem and purify for himself a people who are his and who are zealous for good deeds. That's who we are. That's why he died for us. That is who he is coming back for.
Titus 2:11-14 NASB1995
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, [13] looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, [14] who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.