Title Purpose of Grace
(Titus 2:11-15)
In verse 11, Paul says, “The grace of God, which brings salvation to all, is revealed and nourishes us.” And that grace enables us to live a life worthy of God in our lives and to have a blessed hope.
1. God's grace to nurture the saints
In verse 11, Paul says, “The grace of God, which brings salvation to all, is revealed and nourishes us.” God's grace for salvation does not stop at only salvation. It is said that that grace is revealed to all God's people who give salvation, and it is revealed in the power of nurturing them in faith. Christians have a new moral code. It is also called the commandment of love. This commandment of love is more complete than all legal commandments, to love your neighbor as yourself.
But how can Christians live a life that fulfills this commandment? The moral law of love revealed in God's Word, on the surface, appears to be an ordinary moral life. In other words, it seems to be a life of observing the law. However, since the Christian's moral life is based on obedience to the Word of God, there are two fundamental differences from this life. One is the fact that the moral life of a Christian is that the purpose of obedience is to the glory of God. The moral life, law-abiding spirit, or legal life that the world observes is based on human efforts to maintain social order, one's honor, self-denial, and salvation.
However, the Christian's moral life is a life lived joyfully for the glory of God, thanks to God's saving grace. Moreover, it is the fact that the moral life of a Christian is not made out of one's own will or effort, but by the grace of God. Regarding this, Philippians 1:6 says, 'We are convinced of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ Jesus.' In other words, the driving force for our good life does not lie in man, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, which Paul called the manifestation of God's grace.
2. What kind of work does God's grace do?
Paul tells us a few things about what kind of work God's grace for salvation accomplishes in our lives.
(1) It was said to make us throw away ungodly things. Doing unholy things or secret shameful things that interfere with the service of God
is to throw away work, etc. It is through God's grace that the Christian's life can become more and more righteous.
(2) It is said to make you cast away the lusts of this world. Lust is a work of the flesh that seeks the good of the flesh. The fruit of these things will rot. The Holy Spirit, who accomplishes God's will in us, causes us to cast away these lusts.
(3) It is said that He will help you to live with soberness, righteousness, and godliness. It is by the grace of God that Christians live according to the character of Christ. God calls sinners, but He always hates living in sin. God forgives sinners, but He never takes pleasure in those who do not have the fruit of righteousness. The purpose of God's salvation is not that we should live in our sins, but that we may participate in His holiness.
3. Why Christ gave Himself
In verse 14, Paul teaches an important truth that Christians must know. It is said, 'He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify us, that we might become a people zealous for good works'. He has redeemed us from all iniquity and made us clean. He forgives our sins, justifies us, and seals us as a holy people. And that he might make them a people zealous for good works. He said it was to set us free from sin and enter into a life of righteousness.
Conclusion: Paul said to Titus in verse 15, 'Say these things and exhort them'. What I'm saying is to enlighten you with a sermon
The word “exhortation” refers to a practical life that allows you to apply it to your life. And Paul said to rebuke with all authority. It means to rebuke by the authority of the Lord. Keeping this in mind that the Lord's sacrifice on our behalf is to make us a people zealous for what is good before God, we must live a zealous life for good works. Please time.