Titus 2:11-14 (Day 5)

Titus 2:11-14 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

 ¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 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 glorious appearing 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.

The Educating Power of Grace


2:11- "For" (gar) suggests that here is the theological foundation for what the apostle had just written. When fully understood, it is the grace of God that teaches men how to live. "Brought to all men" = His grace is universally applicable. 


2:12 - The message of God's grace, when its full implications are seen, leads Christians, negatively, to say "No" to ungodliness and worldy passions (cf Heb 11:24-26), and positively, to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. -- All the specific instructions of Titus 2:1-10 can fit into these two negative and positive categories. --
-Faith chooses between the attractive but temporary pleasures of sing and the prospect of disgrace for the sake of Christ because, like Moses, it sees the reward (Heb 11:24-26 Comm.)
I feel like this definitely falls in line with the "reverent lives" older women are supposed to live and how when younger women live as they ought, no one can "malign the Word of God" because they have been good stewards of His reputation. 
Our love for Him should drive us to want to know more about Him, to get closer to Him. This happens by reading His Word because not only is the Word - Jesus. But also because His Son is the primary way God has chosen to speak to us today (Hebrews 1:2). The Word will renew our minds and transform our hearts. By reading Him and being enlighted by the Holy Spirit, our hearts soften because of Him and our ears are more atuned to hear His voice. Then, when the Holy Spirit convicts us, we can say "No to ungodliness and wordly passioins" and in turn become more like Christ, taking more and more power away from the Enemy. 


2:13-14 - The gospel of grace affects one's present behavior, on the one hand, by focusing on God's unmerited favor in the past (Matt 18:23-35 for how this should work). But the Gospel also promotes godly living by focusing on the future. Christians look forward to the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God ad Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Tim 4:8). 

• It is crucial, moreover, that this One whom Christians look forward to meeting is the same One who gave Himself to redeem us ("set free by payment of a price") us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. A holy people was His purpose for the cross.
• Therefore knowing all that Christ has done and why He did it, Christians who truly love Christ and look forward to His return will pay any price to bring their lives into conformity with their beloved Lord's will, so He's not disappointed when He returns. 
• John wrote of this saying "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). A full understanding of these things leads inexorably to godly living. Conversely, ungodly living in a Christian is a clear sign that either he does not fully understand these things or does not actually believe them. 

     O Lord my God, please reveal to me the gospel of Your grace. There is so much that I don't understand and can't wrap my head around. Jesus, help me to obey as You teach me how to say "no" to the things of this world, that are contrary to You and Who You are. Help me to live a godly, upright, holy life so You can make me the Morgan You dreamed of. So I can be long to that holy people You desire to make Your own, fully Yours, eager to do what is good in Your eyes. Help me, Lord. I need You so much. Amen.