Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;..”
The Grace of God is one of the most wonderful factors in the universe. It is talked about by many, appreciated by some, and understood by few.
We need to look into the scriptures to see what they say relative to the GRACE of GOD. When we have found it, let us be careful that we abide by the teachings found therein, making such the foundation upon which we build. Our text affirms the following about GRACE:
1. Grace has appeared to all men — it’s available. That is a wonderful fact, meaning that each of us has equal access to God’s repository of grace.
It is wonderful because of what it brings: “Salvation” –Delivery from the power and penalty of sin. Being available to all and bringing the most important commodity needed by man: Amazing!
2. Teaching us! This may seem to be a strange characteristic. We may have accepted a definition of Grace or explanations of how it works so that this concept of it teaching may appear out- of-the-way. However, let us be reminded that if such is the case, then our perception of grace should be altered to conform with the revelation.
a. Denying! God, in His grace, requires that we exert ourselves so that we deny certain things, refuse to accept or hold them. Again, this may be contrary to our perception of how grace works. If we have to deny certain things, WE DO something: does that not mean that it’s not a GIFT? No. In fact it does not. God provides salvation. Once we understand that God has made salvation to all men, conditional, then we have no trouble with this idea.
1). Ungodliness! This is a disposition of heart and mind, lacking respect for deity. Such a person is arrogant, puffed up. God’s grace require each to get rid of such a mind-set! A basic ingredient in man’s character is respect for the Maker and Governor of the universe, God.
2). Worldly lusts! This is a mind set on following the worldly sanctioned behavior driven by lusts: disregard for restraints to keep drives of the body under control.
b. We should live soberly, righteously and godly! Such are positive elements in the will of God expressed by His grace. Again, these are actions which must be taken in order to be recipients of God’s outpouring of His grace.
1). Soberly means being reasonable; using the mind to see, understand and make choices approved of God and are beneficial to us and our fellow man.
2). Righteously means basically to deal with our fellows fairly and justly. God’s grace reaches down into the abyss to which we have descended, forgiving and raising us to a productive life.
3). Godly is the opposite of ungodly: having and manifesting deep respect and appreciation for God.
3. In This Present World–here and now. We have to continue in the world, but must not be a part of it, in the sense that we accept it’s values. Being not taken out of the world, we must rub shoulders with evil, observe and act positively against it, seeing its ruinous results.
4. Expectant: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;…”
Christians have so much to be looking forward to, due to the fact God’s grace has appeared to all of us. Let us see the negative that we are to avoid. But then concentrate on the good.-William C. Sexton