For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
This passage summarizes the entire gospel message:
God’s grace has appeared. Jesus Christ manifested the love of God to the world. We can hear someone say that they love us but until they demonstrate it it is often hard to believe them. God demonstrated His love for us by taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and dying in our place. No greater love could be displayed.
God’s grace brings salvattion. We are saved through the grace of God not through our good works, church association, family background, etc.
God’s grace has appeared to all men. God has manifested His grace to all. Jesus is “the Savior of all men” (1 Timothy 4:10)–not that all men are saved but that God’s grace reaches out to all men.
God’s grace teaches us to reject sin and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. God’s grace meets us where we are but does not leave us where we are. It changes us from the inside out, teaching us to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God’s righteousness.
God’s grace redeems us, purifies us, and adopts us. We are taken from the pit of sin, cleansed and renewed, and brought into the family of God–”a people that are His very own.”
God’s grace leads to good works. A true understanding of God’s grace will not lead us to sin–”Hey, I am forgiven so now I can do what I want!”–but rather motivate us to live a life of grace and goodness before others. It is the same with my wife. She has committed her life to me and vowed to love me unconditionally. I would be a fool to take advantage of that love by living in a harmful, hurtful way to her. Instead, her love for me motivates me to love her even more.
God’s grace looks up! Living in this present world can be difficult and discouraging; that is why we keep our eyes on the skies, waiting for “the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Every day we need to remind ourselves of God’s grace. In Christ, I am loved unconditionally, redeemed from sin’s bondage, purified by the Spirit, adopted into a family, empowered to live a holy life, and encouraged by the hope of Christ’s return. Thank You, Lord!