Grace is Our Teacher!

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Titus 2:10-13
10 So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
In the second chapter of Titus, Paul exhorts Titus to teach sound doctrine and then he applies it to each age group: older men and women, younger men and women, and servants, which is also translated slaves.  Importantly Paul links Christian behavior to the attractiveness of the gospel for people outside of the church. Paul summarizes the teaching to each age group by saying, "So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."  
One commentators says this, 
Thus we see how ‘the doctrine of God our Savior’ may ‘be adorned.’ It is adorned when its effects on life and character are expressed in conduct…. While it is still only a theory doctrine lacks the manifestation of beauty. When, however, it is realized and manifested in human life its beauty at once appears. The value of a theory is always supremely apparent in the results it produces.” (Morgan)

I love this word "attractive" as it relates to how we promote the Good News about Christ.  The opposite would be living "unattractive" lives.  We are saved by grace and we don't exhibit good behavior to earn points with God, but Paul says it differently. He says the grace we have received from Christ teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldy passions.  I wish I could get into Paul's mind and understand what he might by using the word "teach" there.  
If you study the Greek word for teach, it is where we get the word "pedagogy", which means the method in which one teaches. In this sense you might say "grace is our teacher".  Why?  Because God's grace revealed to us His Son Jesus Christ and his way of life.  Jesus' life was always full of grace up to the moment he offered his life freely on the cross, the ultimate act of grace.  
The point is, "If we really understand grace, we would live according to it as we are taught by it every day".  Meaning if you are saved by grace does that mean you have permission to return to an old life marked by pursuing ungodliness and worldly passions.  Of course not.  We are not saved by grace to go back to our old life, but to the pursue a new one which begins, continues and ends by grace.  Grace led us to God and grace will lead us home. 
As you look at your life and behavior is grace your teacher?  If it is there is a good chance your life is making Christianity attractive rather than unattractive to others. And that is the goal isn't it to draw others to Christ not just by what we say but also how we live.  Paul's challenge to Titus is just as relevant to us today.  

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