"The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, TEACHING US."–Titus 2:11-12
There are many today who preach that salvation is altogether a work of God's grace. Then they try to bring men back under the bondage of the law as a teacher. They argue that men are justified freely by grace; but they are sanctified by keeping the law. Brethren, this will never do. "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? We are educated in godliness by the grace of God. Observe three things about the grace of God in this passage.
1. The Demonstration of Grace– "The grace of God hath appeared." Paul is here talking about the incarnation, life and death of Jesus Christ. The world, vas in darkness ceremonially and judicially, and Christ came to give light. He was the embodiment of the grace of God. Today, the grace of God appears in the gospel, penetrating our moral and spiritual darkness by the power of the Holy Spirit, revealing the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in our hearts. This grace appears to all men, through the preaching of the gospel. And it brings salvation, to us by faith.
2. The Discipline of Grace– "Teaching us." The grace of God is the educator of Christ's kingdom. Grace is the discipline of his church. By grace, not law, we are taught to say no to everything that opposes conformity to our God and to every carnal desire. The grace of God does not simply tell us to be sober, righteous, and godly. It actually forms the principles of sobriety, righteousness, and godliness within us. And grace keeps these principles alive "in this present evil world." By grace we are taught 'to live in the hopeful anticipation of Christ's second advent.
3. The Design of Grace– It was the purpose of "Christ, his gracious redemption, to "purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." And he shall not fail to accomplish his purpose. Grace shall continue purifying us until ye stand before him perfect, even in this body.
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