TITUS 2: 11-15
SAVED BY GRACE
[1 Timothy 2:4-8]
Last week we learned that we adorn the Gospel by our behavior and actions (2:10). But why should the Christian pursue this respectable and dignified life? The grace of God is the reason why every member of the God's forever family can and should live the Christian or sanctified life.
Christ's grace gift of Himself impels us to live a life dedicated to Him. In our passage we find the actions that one takes when he is striving to give himself to Christ as God requires in His Word. By the grace that is the believer¡¦s through his salvation, every man can purify and adorn himself as God requires (CIM).
The power to live as a Christian comes from the Holy Spirit. Because Christ died and rescued us from sin, we are free from sin's control. God graciously gives us the power and understanding to live according to His will and to do good. When we do, we look forward to Christ's wonderful return with eager expectation and hope.
I. THE GRACE OF GOD, 2:11.
II. THE INSTRUCTIONS OF GRACE, 2:12-14.
III. THE CERTAINTY OF THE INSTRUCTIONS, 2:15.
God¡¦s entire process of redemption is rooted in grace. Verse 1 proclaims why we develop disciples as just described [in 2:1-10]. ¡§For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.¡¨
People couldn't save themselves so God's grace brought salvation to lost mankind. This salvation was not brought about by man but appeared [epiphaneia, became clearly known, visible, apparent] to them in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
God's grace is His active favor in bestowing the greatest gift upon those who deserve great punishment. God in His grace gave His Son to redeem those in the bondage of sin. This grace that brings salvation is for all men (describing power and range) who will receive it. Salvation is at the door of every man's heart since the grace of God has appeared to all of them. God¡¦s grace offers salvation to everyone but most will not respond to the grace of God which shines into human darkness.
All the human race could rightfully expect is that they would be punished for their sins. But an offer of mercy is given by the Judge who stepped down from His Judgment Throne of Glory, to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin, this payment satisfied justice and made it possible to bestow mercy upon a hell-deserving sinner.
It's a good thing our library gives a GRACE PERIOD before it starts charging for overdue books. My family checks out multiple books and sometimes we forget to get them back on time.
On one occasion one of my daughters passed the grace period - by more than 3 weeks. When I went to pay the fine, I asked if we could get credit for the grace period and pay just for the days after that. I was told, however, that once the grace period ends, the full penalty is due.
According to the Bible, we live in the age of grace. God is withholding His judgment because He doesn't not want anyone to perish. But someday the period of grace will suddenly be over and it will be time to "pay the fine" for the wages of sin.
During this age of grace, we must acknowledge our sinfulness to God and put our faith in Jesus Christ, who has already taken the complete penalty on Himself. But if we die without receiving Christ as Savior, or if He returns and we've rejected Him, the "grace period" will be over and we will be judged for all our sin.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and to be your Savior? If not, don't wait. No one knows when the grace period will end. God's offer of saving grace is available for a limited time only.
II. THE INSTRUCTION OF GRACE (2: 12-14).
We're familiar with grace which saves, but grace does much more. It trains us, "to live now in a wise and right way. . . ." Something told Paul the Cretans needed such instruction. Something tells me that we do too. Verse 12 teaches the operation of grace in the lives of those who have received it [i.e. grace-Jesus-salvation]. ¡§Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.¡¨
Salvation not only sets a person free from sin but it also gives a new attitude, appetite, ambition and action. The grace of salvation instructs or trains. The Greek word for instruct is where our word pedagogue and pedagogy find their origin [ƒ²ƒpƒ¤ƒxƒzƒÒƒß]. A pedagogue leads children step by step. Grace too, gently leads and guides. Grace instructs by teaching, disciplining, counseling, encouraging, admonishing, guiding, convicting, rewarding and restraining. The saving grace of God functions through education and experience.
The purpose of grace's instruction is stated negatively then positively. First, grace induces its recipients to reject ungodliness and worldly desires. When grace takes over the sinner repudiates ungodliness (irreverence) or whatever is unlike God. This repudiation is a definite act, a decision to give up whatever is displeasing to God. There is also a renunciation of worldly desires - such as inappropriate sexual desire, liquor-mania, yearning for material possessions, vanity, and lust to dominate-- pleasure, power and possessions. Sanctifying grace enables us to turn away from worldly passions or powerful actions for the lost world.
Positively grace trains us in this present age, or in the here and now. Sanctifying grace trains us to live sensibly, righteously and godly. This is the antithesis of the old life where values were shaped by the world.
It is not enough to renounce sinful and evil desires; we must also live actively for God. We must find grace not only to fight against lust and temptation, but we must also receive grace to involve our self in active service for Christ.
God helps us to say no in some situations and yes in others. When we must bear a heavy burden, handle a difficult situation, or witness to a neighbor, His grace enables us to say yes and to do it in His strength. God's grace not only strengthens us to say yes to many difficult areas of obedience, but also to say no to overwhelming temptation.
A young couple was going through A DIFFICULT TIME in their marriage. Money was tight. There were in-law problems. The husband was under great pressure at work. They were trying to work things out, but there was little improvement.
Then an attractive woman at work began to pay attention to the husband. Soothed and flattered by her words, he began looking forward to talking with her. When he realized that things were getting out of hand, he struggled, cried out to God for help, and received it. In the midst of strong temptation to become involved with this woman, he was given the grace to resist and to remain true to his wife.
Perhaps you are faced with a temptation so strong you don't know how long you can hold out. Ask God for help. He will give you the grace to say no! The Grace that enabled us to say yes to Christ enables us to say no to sin. Let God¡¦s grace seep into every aspect of your being and life.
Verse 13 discloses that those being trained by God¡¦s grace are looking forward to the coming of Jesus. ¡§Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.¡¨
The grace of God instructs us so that we may live consecrated lives while looking for ¡§the blessed hope¡¨ of all Christians of all the ages. We are looking for Jesus to return. Ultimately the Christian's only hope and glory is beyond this world. The hope consists of Christ's second appearing. This is the appearance ¡§of the glory of Our Great God - Jesus Christ!¡¨ Christians have lived for 20 centuries with the hope that they will witness the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. The darker the night of sin and perversion, the brighter that hope shines.
This verse boldly affirms that Jesus Christ is our great God and Savior [Granville Sharp rule of one article unites both nouns]. Our joyful expectation of the appearance of our Great God and Savior Christ Jesus prepares us for life with Him. Believers filled with this anticipation of joining Him in His Glory prepare themselves now through His sanctifying grace. This world is not our home for we are just passing through it on our way to glory, on our way to live with Jesus for ever and ever. Let¡¦s then prepare ourselves for Jesus.
To the artist, Christ is the one altogether lovely.
To the builder, He is the sure foundation.
To the doctor, He is the great physician.
To the geologist, He is the Rock of Ages.
To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God who cleanses and forgives sin.
To the Christian, Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, our great Savior. - unknown
Verse 14 teaches us the purpose of our redemption. ¡§who gave Himself for us (1) to redeem us from every lawless deed, and (2) to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.¡¨
Following our God and Savior in Jesus Christ (verse 13) leads to the outworking of God's grace (v.11). This is possible because Christ's death was an offering/sacrifice that was made for those who could not make it themselves. Christ gave Himself portrays His death as an offering to atone for sins (Rom 4:25). He gave Himself as part of God's plan of salvation (Acts 2:23). He gave Himself for us means He acted as our representative and substitute (1 Pet. 2:24). Jesus stepped in as our substitute and suffered what was rightfully our punishment for our sins. Christ paid the just punishment of God's holy law so that God by His grace can forgive, free and train those who believe in Jesus.
Two reasons are given for our redemption. First, we are purchased out of lawlessness. Lawlessness is that assertion of self-will in defiance of God¡¦s standard that is the essence of sin (1 John 3:4). This extraction from the sphere of rebellion and self-will is necessary prelude for the work of sanctification. [Hiebert, Edmond. The Expositor¡¦s Bible Com. Vol. 11. Titus. 1978. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. Mich. p. 441.]
The second reason given for our redemption is Christ's redeeming us opens the way for Him to purify us. Redeem means to set free by the payment of a ransom (1 Pet 1:18); to purchase release from the captivity of sin by paying the buy back cost. Christ has ransomed the prisoner from sin¡¦s influence so that the believer is free to serve God.
WELDING MACHINES send a high voltage charge through an electrode rod clamped into a special handle. A welder's task is to properly control the amount of heat and closeness so that the metal to be joined by the electrode fusing together a bond that is actually stronger than the two pieces of metal was originally.
It is essential that all impurities are burned out of the weld in order that the weld will be strong and not have cracks or holes underneath the surface that could cause it to break under stress. The weld had to be "purified" by heat in order to be strong. Living a pure life is what God uses to weld us to Him. By God¡¦s training or sanctifying grace our life can be pure.
In this key verse, Paul tells us that in our redemption experience with Christ, all of the dross and impurities of life are to burned out of us so that we will be strong enough to withstand the stresses and temptations that come in life. Then we become God's personal possession. A people set apart to be bonded to Him and used for God's own service.
The shedding of Christ's blood purifies us and makes us God's own special possession. God's action in Christ purified and made us His peculiar people (KJV). Peculiar does not mean odd or strange. It means a special people that are possessed by God and not this present age.
You probably have seen people who look "different." People dye their hair colors that you cannot find in a crayon box. They pierce their bodies and wear rings in places you wouldn't expect. For many reasons, such people want to look different - and they have accomplished that.
Did you know that Jesus wants us to be "different" for Him? The KJV refers to Christians as "peculiar people." Jesus paid for our sins so we may become more like Him. Our lifestyles should reflect His qualities. When we behave like Jesus, we will show kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Those characteristics will set us apart from many in our society who spend much of their time looking out only for themselves. So remember the price Jesus paid to redeem you from your sins. Then, try being more "peculiar" and zealous for Jesus.
You can tell God's people because they are ¡§zealous for good deeds.¡¨ Free from sin's bondage and purified they are able to pursue a new manner of life characterized by good works. When God¡¦s sanctifying grace is operating properly within us we will live godly lives that produce good works.
III. THE CERTAINTY OF THE INSTRUCTIONS (2:15).
In verse 15 Titus is told to teach the Scriptures in order to encourage and correct others. ¡§These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.¡¨ Paul's thought again turns to reminding Titus of his duty in relation to the doctrine just laid out in verses 1-14. First he must ¡§conversationally talk¡¨ about Scriptures as part of his everyday speech.
The following two verbs encourage and reprove, reveal the main thrust of his communication. Encourage can also mean urge and exhort. It means to build up. Rebuke is corrective and is designed to get believer the correct track.
Since Scripture an authoritative Titus is not to let anyone disregard these instructions. These were not merely helpful suggestions but divine commands. God has given His called out servants the right to speak His commands with His Authority. Those placed in authority need to be insistent and persistent in encouraging and rebuking according to God's commands. Christian leaders must keep in mind that authority and exemplary behavior are in inseparable.
The famous 18th century philosopher and skeptic DAVID HUME was chided by some of this friends because he went to church on Sundays to hear the orthodox Sottish minister John Brown preach. Defending himself, Hume replied, "Well, I don't believe all that he says, but he does! And once a week I like to hear a man who believes what he says!"
Jesus' confident and clear presentation of the truth impressed people (Mt. 7:28, 29). His authoritative tone commanded their undivided attention. Gracious, yet dynamic, He fed their hungry souls as He spoke.
In striking contrast, the scribes were uninspiring. They delivered their messages mechanically and with little true concern for their hearers. They often put doubts in people's minds by their quibbling over nonessentials and by emphasizing man-made traditions in which "gnats" were strained out while "camel" were swallowed (Mt. 23:24). No wonder Jesus' loving and straightforward approach brought such a hearty response.
We who know Christ must speak with conviction! A hurting and questioning world needs to hear the truth presented clearly and confidently. We should follow our Lord's example. He spoke the truth lovingly yet with conviction.
[If you believe what you say, what you say will be more believable. If you¡¦re filled with the Spirit you¡¦ll speak with more authority.]
In CLOSING
Christ's gift of Himself to us should cause us to glue our self wholly to Him. Has not the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to each who have received it?
Our Salvation began by grace and is to continue by grace. The grace that initially saved us will also sanctify us and bring about a totally new manner of life. This life of grace will be brought to its culmination of fulfillment when Christ appears. Since this purified life is our goal, we long for Christ's return to bring us to perfection in the Grace and Glory of Christ Jesus.
