LEARNING DAILY

Titus 2:11-12, For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.

Paul changes direction in his writing to Titus from giving instruction that Titus needed to give to the Christians in Crete to discuss the grace of God. The grace of God is a topic referred to in this blog; often is not spoken of in those terms. Grace is God choosing to forgive and bless those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ rather than curse them for their sin. All are undeserving of this kindness; God’s grace gives blessing no one deserves. God’s grace is the only way a person is able to enter into a relationship with God; no one can be good enough to earn it as each person is saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). God chose to send His son Jesus Christ to take the punishments for the sins of those who place their faith in Him – that called mercy. Jesus took the punishment you and I deserved!

The Old Testament writers focused on salvation for the Jews. However, when Jesus came to earth salvation was extended to the Gentiles (non-Jews). The territory of Crete was located in an area primarily consisting of Gentiles. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men”. Paul wrote the salvation Jesus brings unites “all men”. In Galatians 3:28 Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek [Gentile], there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.  Through Jesus Christ all racial barriers, all social barriers, and all gender barriers are eliminated; every Believer stands equal before God because of His Son.

It has been written before in this blog that the Believer’s salvation is only the beginning. When a Believer is saved, he/she is placed on a narrow path that takes them into eternity in God’s kingdom. Jesus Himself said this path would be difficult (Matthew 7:14) due to the temptation and lusts of the flesh and the enemy every day. Paul wrote that grace involves turning away from these worldly influences and ungodly behaviors. Ungodliness is anything which contradicts God’s will for Believers or His nature. That’s why it is so important to be reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.

The second point Paul made is to live morally, godly, and with self-control. Believers walk on the narrow way to deny themselves and become more like God in order to enter His kingdom as he desires. God’s grace continues to help them recognize and reject ungodly behavior. He is continually teaching and training those on the narrow way to walk in faith and obedience. Walking the narrow way teaches the importance of self-control in order to live a disciplined life. As a Believer who has been on the narrow way for long, you know those temptations that continually try to get you off the narrow way.; the walk can be very difficult! It means taking your eyes off yourself and means moving your self-centered lifestyle to focus on living the way God demands.

All Believers struggle as they walk on the narrow way. When you fall, get back up, “confess your sin, your mistake and know God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “Acknowledging the truth of the gospel is not enough – you must also confess your sin and then walk in the light” (David Jeremiah). This is about doing everything you can to strengthen your relationship with God. To not do this is to weaken that fellowship and your fellowship with Him becomes distant. It is false teaching that says you do not need to admit your sin or need to be cleansed by Jesus.