Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing
salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly
desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,…
Psalm 67:2 so that
your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 1:10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 1:10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
One of the grandest expressions of the gospel is contained
in Titus 2:11, where Paul tells us, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing
salvation to all men.” How could there be any better news than that? What was
invisible for many centuries and what was once unavailable has now come into
view. Moreover, this grace has appeared not simply for the benefit of a chosen
few but for “everyone.” It is what the apostle elsewhere calls “the power of
God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).
With such power at our disposal, we are sometimes
disappointed when we find there are a number of painful chapters in the book of
grace. To most people, the word “power” suggests instant transformation and
easy accomplishment. We often forget that grace is a schoolteacher who has
appeared with very specific instructions.
In Titus 2:12, we learn the lesson plan. This teacher has
appeared, “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live
sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.” We can learn to say no to
sin and worldly appetites. We can learn what holiness consists of, and we can
find sensible ways to acquire and display it. What’s more, we can do it here
and now, even when the cultural climate seems unreceptive. And it is only
through God’s grace that we can even attempt to live a righteous life.
Such learning may take time, but progress in this school is
just as much a tribute to God’s grace as are the instant changes that sometimes
occur right after a person gets saved.
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