The apostle Paul wrote to Titus, explaining that God’s grace has something to teach us. Let us read the text, and then make some points:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
First, we need to understand how grace teaches. It is simple, the gift of grace is great. It is great in its benefits. God’s gift of His Son as our Redeemer affords us a hope of eternal life! It is great in its sacrifice. God’s giving of His Son was a great sacrifice in that Jesus was the only begotten of the Father, and God loved His Son. It is great in what it reveals to us about God. He loves us! He gave us everything we need to deal with our sin. He wants every living soul to go to heaven, and so has gifted us with grace, so that we can obtain what we ourselves could not possibly receive on our own merit. So, the gift of grace impresses the thoughtful because of its significance, sacrifice and its absolute necessity for our redemption.
As we contemplate this truth, it makes certain things evident. We need to respond to God’s will for us, as a proper response of thanksgiving. This means to live “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” God created us to serve Him. He defines holiness, and expects us to try and attain it. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). We need to look for the second coming of Jesus. Here, looking does not indicate peering up into the sky, but being prepared for what is inevitable. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Finally, let us consider that this grace is universally given. This was a truth that was hard for some to grasp in the infancy of the kingdom, but it clearly “has appeared to all men.” As Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). It does not matter your culture, race, position in society or gender. If you belong to Christ, you have the hope of heaven.
Consider what the Father and the Son have done for you. Consider the impossibility of presenting yourself unto God as one of His “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9), without the gift of grace. And then learn and apply the lesson!
