Grace, Godliness, and Glory

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 6min
Titus 2:10‑14  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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“The carnal mind,” which “is enmity against God,” would always make a bad use of His grace to sinners. It dislikes grace, and will always speak against it. It is contrary to its nature. The Apostle had no sooner stated the blessed truth, that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,” than he anticipates, and answers, the opposition of the natural mind to the sovereign grace of God. (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
The believer is dead to sin in the sense in which Christ is dead to it. This is a deeply precious truth. The following passages make it perfectly plain. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin..........Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:1-111What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:1‑11).
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. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 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 2:10-1410Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:10‑14).) 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. “For he hath left us an example, that we should follow his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21).) The law knows nothing of grace, it shows no favor, it can only condemn the offender. “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:
1. 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. (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).) 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 Ghost—he brings forth fruit unto God. “This only would I learn of you,” says the Apostle, “received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?......
2. 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 “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.
3. 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 hove 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.