Titus 2 - Grace Is Our Teacher!!!

Click Here to Listen to or Read Titus 2 - NIV

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, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What Does This Mean?

Again today Paul is teaching Titus about the interplay between grace and works. Or, probably more aptly how grace transforms us, so that works flow and our character is displayed. Though we are not saved by works, grace still teaches us to say "no to ungodliness and worldly passions". 

You might say that grace teaches to say "no" to things, as it is not a "get of out jail free card". (Bibleref.com)

Grace and godly living are not opposed to each other. Godliness flows because of what Jesus has done for us which transforms our hearts to be the kind of people who are not in slavery to worldly passions. Wordly passion is not just lust, but also includes greed, malice, envy, pride, and yes, destructive lusts. What all of these bad character traits have in common are that they flow out of selfish and sinful nature. They don't glorify God, do not free us from slavery to sin, and are a bad testimony to the world around us. 

This is why Paul is being so firm with Titus to be strong and persevere in teaching the church these things. He knows how quickly our sinful nature can rear its ugly head. There is no Christian who doesn't struggle with the challenge of their old, sinful nature. Some just seem to struggle more than others. (Like me LOL!)

Paul reminds us that though we will battle ouir sinful desires and worldly passions all of our lives, one day Jesus will return and we will be delivered from what Paul calls these "bodies of death". In the meantime as we say "no to ungodliness" it will actually go quite well for us. There is no command God has asked us to obey that is not good for us. 

We have also been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is not only the assurance of our salvation, but also a means of God's grace and power. It is only through the Holy Spirit we can lead a godly life. We often think of holy in a negative way I.e. "holy rollers". But all it means is that we are "set apart". We are "special" and "different from the world". We are not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our mind and by remaining in Christ and loving the Word. 

What Might This Mean For Us?

Where do you struggle to say no to "ungodliness"? What worldly passions try to control you and make you a slave to them? How does the grace of God in Christ teach you to say "no" to them? 

How often do you ask the Holy Spirit to help you when you are tempted to sucuumb to the desires and passions of this world? Remember the Holy Spirit is a "person". Do you have others who pray for you in your "blind spots"? You can be sure the devil's knows them. 

Prayer

Jesus thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit, who is our counselor, guide, and gives us the power to live a new of life. May the grace you poured out on the cross teach us to say "no" to ungodliness" one day, one hour, one minute at a time. Amen. 

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