GOD’S GRACE. Titus 2:11 Applying sound doctrine to the lives of God’s people is very important in local assemblies worldwide. What people hear should match what they see in the lives of Christians who live and work in the world, as well as in those like Paul and Titus, who are called to preach the Gospel from place to place.
Adorning the doctrine of God our Savior is to strengthen its power and authority by giving it honor, reverence, and passionate and dedicated love. When we show proper respect to the word of God when it is preached, we give honor, glory, and reverence to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the subject of the word of God and the embodiment of God's grace.
God’s grace manifested physically in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ when He came from heaven, appearing as a man to offer Himself as a ransom for the salvation of all people. There is complete provision for everyone; pardon and forgiveness are extended to all who willingly receive Him as their Savior and Lord. Those who reject Him will never be saved, even though God’s grace is available and sufficient for everyone. The provision is open: “It is unto all.” The decision to accept or reject it rests with each individual – “It is upon all who believe.”
The grace of God has not been hidden from anyone. There is deliverance from sin's power through God's plan of salvation by grace through faith. Those who have trusted in Him personally know the truth of redemption. Their hope is not in trying to change the world but in the first resurrection. Christ gave Himself willingly; He volunteered to be our Savior and Redeemer. Grace has opened the door to eternal life, which we will enjoy forever. Now, those who know and love Him deeply desire to live for Him every day. A new attitude marks each believer.
The undeserved love and grace of God toward us, when we were His enemies and sinners by choice, is not based on any merit, achievements, or personal actions we might claim to have done for God. It is only through His mercy that He saves us. All of God’s promises and His saving power from the very beginning of humanity, starting with Adam and Eve, are acts of His grace. Everything with which God blesses us and all the gifts He provides are meant by His grace to lead us to repentance and faith in Him.
From the fullness of the earth comes everything we need to sustain life, which is an act of God’s grace. The changing seasons, rain, and sun all provide the essential things and functions necessary for life, and each of these is a work of His grace. The miracles of creation, the ongoing maintenance of life, and its continual renewal in plants, animals, and people are clear evidence of divine grace. But when our Lord Jesus Christ, God taken on human form, appeared to eliminate sin through His sacrifice, grace was revealed in all its eternal glory and goodness. How wonderful it is that it has appeared to all people without partiality!
This is all supported by Paul, who, in one sentence, expresses the entire Gospel. This paragraph contains one of the most comprehensive summaries of the Gospel found in the Bible. A similar statement appears in chapter 3, verses 4 through 7. The past, present, and future aspects of the Gospel are shown in verses 11-14. The grace of God has been revealed to mankind, beginning with the birth of Jesus, who, "though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich."
In His life, He demonstrated God's grace through His acts of blessing toward undeserving people, as well as in the gracious words that came from His mouth. Then, in His death, burial, and resurrection, God's saving grace became effective for us because "by grace are ye saved through faith." Salvation by grace is not limited, but there is a provision for "all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." Grace, as the motivation, is revealed [v.11], instructs us [v.12], provides us with the hope of Christ's return [v.13], and declares the purpose of Christ's redemption [v.14]. Finally, Titus's duty is restated in verse 15.