Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us…” (Titus 3:11-12a). It is a simple principle. God has granted His great mercy to us, and we are so blessed by this extended grace. We learn from this largesse that He loves us, He is good, He is omnipotent, He is eternal. Knowing Him by His grace, we are aware of our own obligations to be who He desires for us to be. Consider the following:
God expects us to be righteous. This is evident in our context. “…Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (2:12).
God expects us to look to eternity. Too often we are myopic. We look at this life and our physical existence, rather than focusing on the spiritual. Again the context tells us: “…Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2:13).
There are other expectations that the holy scriptures reveal that God has of us. Consider the following:
God expects us to love each other. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18). Here we see that the grace of God (in sending His son) not only reveals the imperative of Christian love, but the extent of that love as well. Even to the point of sacrificing our life for our brethren.
God expects us to be good stewards. Everything about grace (The divine benevolence shown to mere man) shows us that He is our Master, and we are stewards. As Paul wrote, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
God expects us to be courageous. We acknowledge that we are under duress as Christians. The world opposes us, and the devil is our powerful foe. However, God has shown two things in His grace. His love for us, and His ability to protect us. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
We could go on and on, but these suffice. The grace of God teaches us much about our relationship and duties.
