Living Graciously
J. Allen Blair
We sing and talk about grace, but can you define grace?
Titus 2:11-14 is a wonderful presentation of God's amazing grace. In these verses, we see the past, present, and future of God's grace.
In verse 11 we read, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Here is the past tense—His grace hath appeared. At a particular time in the past, grace came. Now the question is, What is grace? Somebody says it is the unmerited favor of God. It is that and more; it is the person of Jesus Christ. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). When the little baby Jesus was born in the manger in Bethlehem, grace appeared. Of course, grace had existed throughout all the past. There was never an age without grace. We see grace from Genesis through Malachi. God's grace is revealed throughout all the dispensation of the law. Why?—Because grace is Christ. He has always been and, at the same time, He has always exerted His influence on the world. But at Bethlehem He received a physical body, being born as a little baby.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we read, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, through He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich. He was rich in that He was one with the Father and possessed all the glory of Heaven. But He covered over His glory with a physical body and came to the shame of this earth on which we live. Here, He was crucified for your sin and for mine. No greater story of grace can be found.
We read in Titus 2:11 that the grace of God brings salvation. When that little baby was born into the world, He brought salvation for everybody, from the lowest to the highest. Because of this, we can proclaim the truth of Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
In addition to the past tense of grace, consider the present tense of grace in Titus 2:12, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. When one believes on Jesus Christ, something happens. He will never be the same, for the grace of God goes to work in that life. It works negatively and positively. Negatively, the grace of God teaches the believer to deny or denounce ungodliness and worldliness. An unsaved person may denounce nothing. After one is transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, certain things that at one time appealed to the lustful nature begin to lose their appeal. Even the desire is removed by God's grace.
On the positive side, the child of God is to live soberly. This has to do with personal responsibility to the Lord. The word soberly means responsibly. To live responsibly is to walk in the light as He [God] is in the light. The believer should desire to please the Lord at all times, whatever the cost. Daily, he or she should search out the heart before God in prayer, and ask Him to remove any hindrance to a holy life. Believers should delight to do the will of God. In other words, we should say with Paul, for me to live is Christ. Living soberly has to do with our relationship to God.
Then, we are told to live righteously. This refers to our personal relationships. The true believer should seek by God's grace to set a holy example before others. Paul could say, Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Jesus Christ. He was living righteously.
The next word in this 12th verse is godly. We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world. Godly has to do with our reverence and love for the Lord. In appreciation for the great salvation we have received through Christ, we should never cease to give praise and thanks to God. This is godliness. Of course, we do this not only by our lips but also by our lives. We read, in 1 Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (that means people off-center, not like the rest of the people of this earth); that ye should show forth the praises of Him, who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This is God's desire for you and for me because he has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Did you notice that we are to show forth the praises of God, and honor Him in all things?—Not only tell them forth, but through transformed living we should reveal how much we appreciate the fact that God saved us from eternal condemnation. This is the challenge to us in this present world in which we live, with all of its sin and godlessness.
In verse 13 we see the future of God's grace: Looking for. It isn't over yet. There is still more to come for the believer. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. The manifestation of God's grace in the believer ever looks for something: the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer is looking for the fulfillment of the prophecy of the angels given at Christ's ascension. This same Jesus, which is taken up from among you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. Those who are saved at this moment know Christ. They have felt His invisible presence. They have talked with Him, but they have never seen Him. One of these days, we will. Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him (Revelation 1:7). The time of this great event no one knows. In the light of present day events, it seems not to be far away. God's word to the believer: Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (James 5:8).
Titus 2:11-13 tells us of the past, present and future of God's manifestation of grace. I also want you to look at verse 14. Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. To make grace available to all, Christ had to do something. What did He do? He gave Himself for us. Actually, it was His grace that prompted Him to give Himself for us. It was not necessary that He do this for Himself, because He had no sin of His own. He gave Himself for us because of our sins, so that we could be redeemed from all wrong. Friend, have you received Him into your life? Have you believed on Jesus? If not, do it right now.
Criticism, The Church Wrecker
Following the crowd of criticizers is no way to build the church. You'll get great advice from Dr. Blair in this tract. Ask when you write to us this month. And you are not obligated to give in order to receive!
Those who give are partners and that is a Volunteer position! Many thanks to those who support in prayer and in giving!
2009 Scripture Planner Calendar
It is time to do some planning for the New Year! The 2009 Scripture Planner Calendar is available. The calendar features:
- A verse of Scripture on each page
- Full monthly calendars on each page
- Articles by Dr. Blair
- Space for Birthdays and Anniversaries
- Future year calendars
- New this year - the Bible Reading Guide
Here's how to get your copy. Send $12.00 for each calendar, which includes postage. Glad Tidings Calendar PO Box 18824 Charlotte, NC 28218-0824 The calendar is great for personal use and appropriate as a gift. We will send calendars to you, to a friend, or to a list of friends! Be sure to give the current addresses! Re-mailing will require additional postage.
If you want to have a sample page before ordering, then email (info@gladradio.net) or call (704) 617-0739, and we'll send it.
A GOOD DEAL
J. Allen Blair
Great faith may bring great comfort to the one who has it, but it does not bring a greater salvation than little faith. Faith is the means whereby we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and are rewarded with everlasting life. You can not touch, feel, nor hear Christ, but you can believe on Him by faith and be eternally saved. So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).