ON a Lord's Day evening recently, I spoke from Titus 2:11-1411For 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 2:11‑14), and God was pleased to use the word "grace" to a needy sinner who heard it. I was afterward told she had been in an anxious-state for some years and could not clearly see the way of salvation. But on the evening in question the truth of "the grace of God" struck her as it never had before. And on the following Friday she knew that salvation which grace brought.
A few weeks later I was rejoiced to hear from her own lips the story of her conversion. She spoke of it with no uncertain sound, for indeed she had been brought "from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God." I found her eager to learn more of the truth, and I have lately heard that she now enjoys that blessed hope of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ for those' who believe in Him.
What a complete change does the gospel bring, about In her former condition the thought of being in His presence could only speak of judgment because of her sins, but such is the salvation given to all who believe in Him, that no question of sin remains to be settled for them. Like the person of whom I write they find their rest in the work of our Lord Jesus on the cross, and are looking forward to meeting Him, as the One Who is even now the object, bf their hearts.
Has my reader yet learned that Gad is indeed a God of grace? If not, believe it now, and know the certainty and blessedness which it brings. Give up your thought of God as One Who is requiring your poor works, and learn that He has a delight in giving. God's grace is displayed in view of man's failure and lost condition. It was when we were "yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
Look away from all your efforts to gain salvation and believe God's love in the gift of His Son for you. As I view that cross, I see as nowhere else what sin is, for I there see man crucifying the Son of God. I find too what God's estimate of sin is, for there alone did His Son utter those words, "My God! My God! why hast thou forsaken me?" It was as the sinner's substitute that He knew the hiding of God's face. Reader, learn the grace of God as it there shone out, at such infinite cost.
See your every need there met, and thankfully accept God's salvation.