Understanding the Grace of God

1. God’s grace brings salvation to all people (Titus 2:11). When Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared,” he is referring to the embodiment of grace in the person of Jesus Christ, who was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Paul says that the appearance of God’s grace brought “salvation to all men.” Paul means that God’s grace that appeared in the person of Christ offers salvation to all that hear of it. The good news of God’s grace is that no sinner is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The apostle Paul was a persecutor of the church. He called himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:13, 15). But he experienced God’s grace through the cross. If the chief of sinners found mercy, so can you!

2. God’s grace trains us who are saved in godliness (2:12-14a). The word “instructing” means, “child-training.” It includes teaching, but also, correcting and disciplining. It is a process that begins at salvation and continues until we stand before the Lord. But, note that grace does not mean, “hang loose and live as sloppily as you please.” Rather, grace trains, disciplines, and instructs us in godly living. Paul mentions three ways that grace trains us:

A. Grace trains us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires (2:12a). When you experience God’s unmerited favor in Jesus Christ, it motivates you to want to please Him in everything that you do. As you read God’s Word, you begin to realize that there is much in your life that displeases the Lord, who gave Himself on the cross to save you from God’s judgment. So, you begin walking on the path that Jesus described as denying yourself daily, taking up your cross, and following Him (Luke 9:23). This includes saying no to ungodliness. This refers to a person who does not reverence God and thus lives by ignoring God. Also, you must say no to worldly desires. This refers to desires that are characteristic of this world system that is opposed to God. John describes them as “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

B. Grace trains us to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age (2:12b). It is not enough to say no to ungodliness and worldly desires. You must live sensible, righteous, godly lives, so that those in the world will be drawn to our Savior. Many commentators have pointed out that sensibly refers to how you are to control yourself; righteously has reference to your relationships with others; and, godly refers to your relationship toward God.

(1). Grace trains us to live sensibly Titus (1:8; 2:2, 4, 5, 6).

(2).Grace trains us to live righteously.

(3).Grace trains us to live godly.