Titus 2:1-15
Friday, 23 September 2022
“For the grace of God has been revealed……” -Titus 2:11[NLT]
In instructing Titus, Apostle Paul clearly lays out guidelines to manage and organize the churches he is put in charge of. As a young leader, Titus was groomed under Paul and taught sound Christian doctrine and directed in the method of teaching, showing what kind of doctrines he should inculcate, and instruct various classes of his hearers.
In the later part of the chapter of our reading, Paul turns to the basis for all these instructions—for the grace of God has appeared (V.11). There are three effects of this grace that has been revealed in three timelines:
It has brought salvation to all people (past)
God’s plan of salvation is for all people—irrespective of nations, colour, creed or classes, rich, poor, kings or servants. Jesus is the Saviour for all humankind. God’s desire is for everyone to be saved and understand the truth (1Timothy 2:4). God’s grace has been shown to us through His Son Jesus Christ whom He sent to the world to bear man’s sin, take up its punishment in His death so that we would receive eternal life through Him (cf. 2Cor.5:21). This is the only way God has provided for us to be made right with Him (Acts 4:12). The Christ-Cross event which took place 2000 years ago is a onetime redemptive act done for all—in any age, who by faith will accept it sufficient for their salvation.
It instructs us to live in a godly manner (present)
For us who have experienced God’s grace in salvation, we are to continue to live in the instructions of grace! The practice of our faith is very important in its proper duties towards God, others and ourselves. Paul instructed in Ephesians 4:1 “…to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…” The worthy walk for a Christian is a godly walk, to live soberly, righteously and in devotion to God. In living soberly, we show restraint in getting ourselves muddled in the ways of the world. In living righteously, we follow the golden rule the Lord put across to us: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you…” (Matt.7:12). In our devotion to God, we are to be faithful in our duties to Him.
It helps us look forward to the appearing of our Saviour (future)
The hope for the future of every believer is the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ once more to gather His saints to Himself. Hebrews 9:28 [NLT] says: “…so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” For every child of God, there is an eager and patient waiting for the Lord Jesus to come back to establish His rule and reign and judge the world in righteousness.
Christ Jesus’ act of redemption and in setting apart a people for Himself is that we would be zealous for good works! Our good works are not meant to make us right with God but an outcome of our being made right with God. Those good works befitting children of God from all walks of life is what Paul has written out in the first section of this chapter. As His own special people, called from darkness into His marvelous light, we are called to show the goodness of God! (cf. 1 Peter 2:9)
Quote for the Day: “Grace means undeserved kindness. It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God's favor.” ~.D.L. Moody