The Epistle of Titus was written by the Apostle Paul to his younger protégé Titus who the Apostle left behind in Crete. Paul left Titus in Crete to "set" the church there "in order" (Titus 1:5). Titus' task of setting the churches in order included dealing with false teachers (1:10-11). The Cretans had a reputation for being idle, dishonest, and somewhat corrupt (1:12). These traits apparently characterized even some of the Christians, in addition to the false teachers (3:14). Part of Titus' task consisted of motivating them to change. There are somehow some traits, lifestyle and attitude that must be changed upon being saved by HIS grace. We know that once we are saved forever we are saved. Nothing can cause us to lose our Salvation! Hallelujah! That doesn’t mean I can keep on living the way I lived in the past. There must be an obvious detachment from sinful lifestyle. We cannot keep on practicing sin once we are saved.
So, now how do I overcome the sin of my past life? Here in the passage that has been read to us we see Paul writes the provisions of God for those who are saved to pursue holiness and live up to HIS standard.
Vs. 11 - Grace of God is best defined as unmerited favor of God given to sinners who don’t deserve it. But we must understand that this Grace is given with a purpose.
1. Grace is given to train us to deny what is wrong (Vs. 12)
The word ‘train’ or ‘teach’ is ‘paideuo’ GK means “train a child under development’. It’s not a mere training (like the athletic training) but an intensive process of training a Child. The moment we are saved, we are born again. We become babes….remember we need to drink the milk daily to grow (1 Peter 2:2)! Likewise the Grace of God is to train and nurture us with discipline and correction to deny (renouncing) all forms of ungodliness of our past life. All of us are sinful in NATURE. We have the seed of sin in us since birth (Psalms 51:5). Paul writes ‘Grace’ is given so that it teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly pleasure. That means every time I read HIS Word or listen to HIS word being preached it pierce through my soul and convicts me of my wrong doings and to repent.
Paul gives a list of ungodly acts or the acts flesh in Galatians 5: 19-21. Those things that are classified as ungodliness and worldly pleasures. This are the deeds, practices of those who are perishing and its should not be found in a saved person.
In Colossians 3: 5-10 – Paul orders us to “put to death” the deeds of the flesh and put on the new self in the image of the One Who have saved us.
We are saved by God’s grace. This Grace is given so that we can deny the evil of this world. HE keeps reminding us of our mistakes. HE keeps bothering our souls if when we are planning wicked against others – because HE wants us to deny what is ungodly. Live a sensible life with a heart full of repentance. Let’s be quick to correct our ways and don’t keep justifying sin.
2. Live sensibly (Righteously and a Godly life and keep doing what is good and noble) – (Vs. 12b)
Not only denying ungodliness and the worldly pleasures, Grace is also given so that we may live a holy and acceptable life for God. In Greek the word Holy is ‘Hagio’ which literally means ‘to be set a side’ for Himself as a people of HIS own possession who are zealous for every good works (Titus 2:14). When God saved us by HIS grace, we were set aside for HIS glory. So, it’s our bounden duty in every possible and conscious ways to live a righteous and Godly life is every aspects of our life because the ONE WHO set us aside for HIS glory is Holy (1 Peter 1:14-15). Holiness in all behavior is not an abstract sense of holiness but it’s very practical behaviors. Holiness is also about living and doing what is right and good all the time – righteous living. Paul writes to Titus 3:8 – “I want you to insist on this…..”. To live a holy life and to do what is good is not an option for a Christian but it’s a mandatory demand of God. Whenever we fail, HE gives us grace to repent and correct our ways – the power of HIS grace.
3. Look up to the Hope in stored for us. (Vs 13)
Grace is given so that we will also continuously looking and expectantly waiting for Christ return. Jesus promised in John 14:3. We live on earth with the hope of eternity. 1 Peter 1:3-5. The salvation that the Lord gave us has assured us of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading – kept and reserved exclusively for us in Heaven.
Hence Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3: 1-4 - STOP looking at earthly things and the pleasures that is brings and start looking up for Heavenly things.
Conclusion:-
Grace of God is NOT a license for God’s Children to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2) BUT grace of God is given as a supernatural enablement and empowerment for salvation as well as strength to deny ungodliness and worldly pleasures and to live righteously in our daily living and wait expectantly for the blessed hope that we have in the Lord’s return.
