"Examining The Life Under Grace" (Titus 2:11-15) Part One

For the Christ follower, God's grace through Christ instructs us to live a transformed life in this world! Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus concerning those Christ followers that were under his care. After telling Titus what he said in our passage, Paul strongly urges him, "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you" (Titus 2:15). Paul gives an indication of the instruction that Titus was to speak and exhort at the start of this chapter. He said, "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). The "things" are in reference to the way that those who profess to follow Christ are to live. Paul taught about "older men," "older women," "young women," "husbands," "young men," and "children" within the church, and explained how Christ followers were to live before a world that's watching them. Paul taught this so that the gospel message would not be wasted or discredited by the way those Christ followers lived! This is seen by the words, "so that the word of God will not be dishonored" (v. 5); and "so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us" (v. 8); as well as "so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect" (v. 10). Paul emphasizes that the primary purpose of a godly life is to make attractive the message that God saves sinners! Our passage forces us to ask: When we open our mouths to tell of God's praises "who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light," are we mindful not to dishonor that message by the way we live? We must understand that whenever we declare the praises of God for rescuing us and making us His children, unbelievers hear it and begin looking very intently at us. It's extremely important that they see us living lives that are consistent with what we say that God, by His amazing grace, has made us to be! Brothers and sisters in Christ, that's what our passage (Titus 2:11-15) is all about! It teaches and declares to us that God's grace through Christ Jesus instructs us to live a genuinely changed life in this world! Our challenge is to think seriously about living consistently with what the gospel instructs us that God has made us to be! Your move. Be encouraged!