The same amazing grace of God that saves is likewise a grace that transforms.
In Titus 2, the apostle Paul transitions from a warning to a charge. Previously, he warned Titus, his spiritual son and ministry coworker, of culturally pervasive sins on the island of Crete where he was serving. Now, considering this, and considering those who would profess God with their mouths but deny him in their works, the apostle issued a charge to teach both sound doctrine and thereby sound living (Titus 2:1).
With this, guidelines are given for various members of both the church and the household as to how they ought to live and interact with one another (Titus 2:2-10).
If the Christian is to be distinct and separated unto God, there has to be something to strive towards. If the culture of the Cretans was characterized by lying, laziness, and gluttony the Cretan Christians must showcase themselves to be citizens of a higher Kingdom.
This is only possible though, through the empowering grace of God.
The apostle concluded:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our 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 lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
The same grace that brings salvation (2:11) is likewise a grace that trains the believer to renounce ungodly ways and to live self-controlled and godly lives in the present age (2:12).
The Cretan Christians lived in a time and place that was distinguished by common sins, and certainly as we saw yesterday this is true for the American believer too.
It is at this point that we must be reminded that God’s grace, although coming to us “just as we are” does not intend to leave us as we are. It is a grace that transforms and results in godly living that was not there before. It is a grace that results in “newness of life” (see Rom. 6:4).
We live out Christian virtues, today, by the grace of God, knowing that a better day and age is coming when Christ comes again (Titus 2:13).
The same Savior who redeemed us from our lawless ways and purified for Himself a special people is coming back for us.
With the coming of Christ a new age has dawned, although it is not here in the fullest sense yet. There is a day coming when all evil will be conquered and we will enjoy eternal bliss with the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Yet, until that day, we live in an age or time that is characterized by all manner of sinfulness and rebellion against God. Each and every culture and every period of time have their own sinful tendencies—although many sins have been commonplace for millennia—and the people of God must strive to overcome and live the lives that Jesus died for us to live.
He gave Himself for us not only to purify us positionally in the sense of justification, but also for us to actually grow in outward godliness too.
So, what does the trajectory of our lives look like? Are we, by His grace, growing in the self-controlled, upright, and godly lives that He intended for us to walk in? Or are we falling prey to the temptations of our present evil age?
Each generation of believers has their own unique battles to fight, but with Christ on our side we can be triumphant over any and all temptation (1 Cor. 10:13) and we can live a God-pleasing life through the help of His Spirit.
Will we walk in the victory that He has already won for us?