God's Saving Grace

The Results of Saving Grace

Titus 2:11-14

"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, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Titus 2:11-14

In theological terms there are two types of grace: common grace and saving grace. Common grace is the favor that God gives to all people. Generally, it is manifested in the way God takes care of all people by providing for them sunshine, rain, shelter, food, government, laws, general health, etc. Common grace extends to every human alive.

On the other hand, saving grace is that favor from God expressed upon those whom He has chosen. This expression of grace results in salvation; hence we have such verses as:

Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."

We, the chosen, have had the blessing of saving grace bestowed on us in abundance. Saving grace is based upon the love of God manifested in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.

Grace is not commodity or a substance. It is an action of God, therefore, it has a result. That is what is spoken of in v. 11, the grace of God that has appeared is the incarnation, the sacrifice, of Christ, the resurrection and the indwelling Spirit.

1. The indwelling grace that results in salvation also actively instructs you to turn from worldliness in this present age.

1. The Greek word for grace is charis. It means undeserved favor, good will, loving-kindness.

2. Grace is a state of being for us, and action for God.

1. We are under God's grace; He keeps us in grace.

2. Grace is God's exertion of holy, merciful, and kind influence upon the souls of His people.

3. The result is salvation. You have been turned by God to Christ, kept, strengthened, and caused to increase in the Christian faith. It works within you to develop your knowledge and holy virtues.

4. How does grace instruct you?

1. By the example of Christ and the Apostles as you observe them in the Word.

1. Consider, for example as you reflect on the humility of Christ as He washed the feet of His disciples in John 13:1-17.

2. Consider how Jesus forgave the prostitute who washed His feet with her tears in Luke 7:36-50.

3. Consider also how Paul the apostle suffered shipwreck, imprisonment, and slander and in it all praised God.

2. Grace also instructs you by the indwelling Spirit (1 John 2:27)

1. "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit __ just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:27).

2. The Holy Spirit lives in you and convicts you of sin, reminds you of righteousness, and enables your fellowship with God.

3. The Holy Spirit empowers you to be able live godly lives: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Eph. 3:16).

3. It is this saving grace that continues to work in you to bring you to where God wants you to be.

5. You need this instruction by grace to survive spiritually in this present evil age.

1. In the Bible there are two ages: This age and the age to come.

2. The Bible says that in this age we have the influence of sin and the promise of persecution as we work to fight against the evil one as he works in this world.

3. Some references that speak of this age are: "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields __ and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first" (Mark 10:29-31).

2. On the other hand this saving grace continually works in you to instruct you to turn to Godliness.

1. The Greek word for ''godliness'' is eusebeia. It is used frequently in the Pastoral Epistles. In general it means piety, reverence, whether towards men or God.