Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 16

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 6

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; KJV

Paul now gives to Brother Titus and to we true Christians today and of every era and generation what 'grace' is and what it means for us as we pilgrim and sojourn here on this earth away from our heavenly home with these words, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," (Titus 2:11) (KJV). This English word 'grace' is translated by the Greek word charis which means (as used here) figuratively or spiritually; it means the divine influence upon the heart (that is, the inner man or inner woman of the born again son and daughter of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ), and its reflection in the life; including gratitude for receiving such undeserved favor from God). In other words, it is the grace of God freely given to every sinner that makes him or her a new creature or new creation, for 2 Corinthians 5:17 says this, "So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (MKJV). This is the reason so many sons and daughters of God say things like, "My eyes were open and I saw this world in a whole new light." For example, in my own personal case, when my Lord Jesus Christ opened my blind spiritual eyes, I completely did a 180 from being pro-choice to being pro-life and that is because I now see human life as it truly is the creation of God at the moment of conception, for He(God/Jesus) knows every human being, even before He forms them in their mother's womb, this is what He told the Prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) (MKJV). Notice the pronoun 'I' used four times in this verse being God speaking of Himself and what He did.

When Paul writes next, 'that bringeth salvation', he is speaking of the grace of God as that which makes men and women into the new creatures and it is what brings the salvation of God for sinful men and women and not His love, for His love is what brought to us the Savior (Jesus Christ our Lord) as it is written, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) (MKJV). When Paul writes here, 'hath appeared to all men', he simply means that the grace of God has been made visible for all humanity to behold and to receive in the God/Man Jesus Christ our Lord. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "It is grace in respect of the spring of it - the free favour and good-will of God, not any merit or desert in the creature; as manifesting and declaring this good-will in an eminent and signal manner; and as it is the means of conveying and working grace in the hearts of believers. Now grace is obliging and constraining to goodness: Let not sin reign, but yield yourselves unto God; for you are not under the law, but under grace, Romans 6:12-14. The love of Christ constrains us not to live to self, but to Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15); without this effect, grace is received in vain. This Gospel grace brings salvation (reveals and offers it to sinners and ensures it to believers) - salvation from sin and wrath, from death and hell. Hence it is called the Word of Life; it brings to faith, and so to life, the life of holiness now and of happiness hereafter. The law is the ministration of death, but the Gospel the ministration of life and peace. This therefore must be received as salvation (its rules minded, its commands obeyed), that the end of it may be obtained, the salvation of the soul. And more inexcusable will the neglecters of this grace of God bringing salvation now be, since, It hath appeared, or shone out more clearly and illustriously than ever before. The old dispensation was comparatively dark and shadowy; this is a clear and shining light; and, as it is now more bright, so more diffused and extensive also. For, It hath appeared to all men; not to the Jews only, as the glory of God appeared at mount Sinai to that particular people, and out of the view of all others; but Gospel grace is open to all, and all are invited to come and partake of the benefit of it, Gentiles as well as Jews."

Next Paul tells Titus and us what the grace of God teaches to us as we sojourn away from our heavenly home with these words, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12) (KJV). The English word 'teaching' used at the very beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - chasten, instruct, learn, teach. The English word 'denying' is translated by the Greek word arneomai meaning to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse. The English word 'ungodliness' is translated by the Greek word asebeia meaning wickedness. When Paul writes 'worldy lust', he means the longing for the things of this world system (run by the devil) that are against the will of God. In other words, the grace of God that has brought to each and every one us who have been born again instructs us like a father and mother would do with their young child training us up into spiritual maturity by educating us in the will of God by the Word of God to deny wickedness or that which is evil by rejecting and refusing it and even disciplining or chastening us when we step out of the truth of God's will found in His Holy Word. We are to live in this present world, but we are not to be of the world, as it is written, "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) (MKJV) and also as it is written here, "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17) (MKJV) and lastly also as it is written here, "You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:4-6) (MKJV).

Therefore, with this to guide and to remind us Paul declares that we should live 'soberly' (which is translated by the Greek word sōphronōs used this one time only in the New Testament meaning with sound mind, that is, moderately: - soberly), 'righteously' (which is translated by the Greek word dikaiōs meaning equitably or justly), and 'godly' (which is translated by the Greek word eusebōs meaning piously or devoutly to God who saved us) in this present world. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "Instructing us as children are instructed. Christ is the great teacher; and men, in order to learn, must become His disciples - must put themselves under His tuition, and learn of Him. Denying all things contrary to God; whatever would lead us to doubt His being, deny any of His essential attributes; His providence or government of the world, and His influence on the souls of men. Every thing, also, which is opposed to His true worship; theoretical and practical atheism, deism, and irreligion in general. Worldly lust such desires, affections, and appetites, as men are governed by who have their portion in this life, and live without God in the world. Gluttony, drunkenness, lasciviousness, anger, malice, and revenge; together with the immoderate love of riches, power, and fame. We should live soberly having every temper, appetite, and desire, under the government of reason, and reason itself under the government of the Spirit of God. Righteously rendering to every man his due, injuring no person in his body, mind, reputation, or property; doing unto all as we would they should do to us; and filling up the duties of the particular stations in which it has pleased God to fix us, committing no sin, omitting no duty. And godly just the reverse of what is implied in ungodliness. In this present world not supposing that any thing will be purified in the world to come that is not cleansed in this. The three words above evidently include our duty to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves. We are to live soberly in respect to ourselves. Righteously in respect to our neighbor. And Godly, or piously, in respect to our Maker."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…