Titus 2:11-14 KJV For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
THE GRACE OF GOD!!!
What is it? We are told that it's unmerited favor. We did not deserve it but we received it anyhow because of His love! It is a mind boggling thought that the eternal, all powerful God loves us in spite of who we are…enough to die for us: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 KJV
His grace:
1. Brings salvation
We never purchased it being unable to do so for not all the wealth of this earth can pay for one drop of the precious blood of Christ.
2. Shines on all. Regardless of class, culture or creed, irrespective of our moral status the love of God causes His grace to shine on all.
3. Teaches us that we should deny:
a. Ungodliness: Impiety; wickedness; disregard of God and his commands and neglect of his worship; or any positive act of disobedience or irreverence. (Webster). It refers to having irreverence towards God, contempt of His authority and neglect of His precepts. This brings the retribution of God against those who have done so.
Romans 1:18 KJV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
2 Timothy 2:15-16 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
b. Worldly lusts: Lust: denotes "strong desire" of any kind. Worldly lusts refer to an intense desire for the things of this world to the exclusion of things godly.
What gets your vote and what gets only lip service?
How does the rich young ruler of Mark 10 stack up to this exhortation? When confronted with the choice f following Jesus or his own lifestyle here's what the Word says he did: And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22 KJV
John gives a very strong caution against being in love with the world:
1 John 2:15-17 KJV Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
It is a natural thing to lust after the things of this world. It is spiritual to deny them take up our cross and follow Him. Any natural efforts to make the cross lighter results in spiritual loss.
There’s a story about a pilgrim making his way to the Promised Land. He was carrying a cross as His Master had done centuries before, a burden he cheerfully accepted. However, he soon noticed that the farther he walked, the heavier it became. Becoming weary, the pilgrim sat down to rest. That’s when he noticed a woodsman nearby. “Good Friend,” he called, “could I use your ax to shorten my cross?” The woodsman handed him the ax.
Refreshed, the pilgrim traveled on, making much progress. His cross was shorter, his burden lighter. Soon the Promised Land came into view. Drawing near, however, he noticed a deep gulf separating him from the goal of his pilgrimage. He would use the cross to span the chasm.
Though he struggled mightily to lay the cross across the deep rift, it fell short by the exact length he has cut off! Just then the pilgrim awoke; it had all been a dream. Now, with tears streaming down his face, the pilgrim again took up his cross and began his journey anew. It was just as heavy as before, but now he bore it joyfully, all the way to the Promised Land.
Our life in this present world should be sober, righteous and godly, as we look forward to a blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour. We are expected by God to present a certain lifestyle because of His grace!
Colossians 4:5-6 KJV Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Romans 12:5-21 KJV So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 KJV 1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
A person who is not caught up and entangled in the affairs of this world will find it easier to look for and live in expectation of the coming of our Saviour and God!
Being a peculiar people does not mean being weird and crazy. It means we are His own special possession over whom he delights because we love the things that he loves and are eager to do the things that He wants. We are zealous of good works. Like a Zealot an uncompromising partisan whose sole aim was to bring Israel into its own sovereignty. In similar manner we are uncompromising in our faith as we wait for Him from heaven. We are able to wait and live in expectation because we are found doing those things which please Him. May His grace continue to abound in our lives as we follow in His steps!
