Grace, the pure grace of God, is the only power of a holy, godly walk in this world. As the Lord said to one who was passing through deep trial, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). It is only by grace that we can “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 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” (Titus 2:1014). The law demands perfect obedience and will not yield one point, but gives no power to obey. The divine favor which is our only strength flows to us through the channel of our gracious, blessed Saviour. He is the rule of the believer’s life, and the grace of God is his power to follow Him. “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). From this portion in Titus we learn the three following things:
One: GRACE brings salvation — complete deliverance. The moment that the grace of God, in Christ Jesus, is received by faith, there is complete salvation to the soul — a full deliverance from sin and all its consequences. The condition of the sinner in God’s sight is immediately changed. He has “passed from death unto life” — from a condition of death unto one of eternal life. This is also the source and power of holiness. The believer, being vitally connected with Christ — a partaker of the divine nature and indwelt by the Holy Spirit — brings forth fruit unto God.
Two: The same grace that brings salvation leads to true, practical GODLINESS. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” That is, grace teaches us to deny everything that is unlike God and displeasing to Him, and also to deny the tendencies of our own hearts to go out after the world. But grace teaches us to do what is good and right, as well as to deny what is evil and wrong. “We should live soberly” — great sobriety, moderation, evenness of mind, temper and conduct should characterize every believer. Also, we should live “righteously” — justly and honestly towards men — and “godly” — in all holiness of heart and life towards God. This is true sanctification, namely, separation from the world — set apart for God. Such are the happy fruits of the sovereign, boundless grace of God to lost, ruined sinners in this present evil world.
Three: Grace teaches the believer to look for GLORY. He may be a dull scholar, but the lesson is plain enough. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Here we have set before us Christ Himself, the hope of our hearts, and coming glory — the full display of the millennial glory of our Saviour God. The grace that brings salvation and leads to godliness sets us in the position of waiting, watching and looking for the Lord from heaven. Alas! that this blessed hope should be so little understood and have so little hold of our hearts. What can be plainer? The grace that brings our salvation sets it before us. It is fitted and intended to govern our affections and form our character for the blessed Lord. His first appearing was in grace. His second appearing will be in glory. In this passage our salvation and walk are sweetly connected with both.
May we be led to a deeper knowledge of GRACE, to a higher character of GODLINESS, and to a more transforming hope of GLORY.
Adapted from Things New and Old,
Vol. 1, p. 177