In Titus 1, we read about godliness in our lives. Today, we will look Titus 2 and read about grace in our church. Remember that Paul left Titus in Crete so that he might “set in order” the church. Crete was a corrupt place and the Christians there needed to be reminded what godly living looks like. Chapter 2 begins with Paul telling Titus to “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (v. 1), and ends with Paul reminding him to “speak these things” (v. 15). We can certainly learn from this instruction.
Verses 11-12 are key to godly living. “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” (v. 11-12). There is no salvation apart from grace. God gave us His unmerited favor while we were His enemies. Salvation is a gift; it’s not based on works. The grace of God teaches us, enables us to deny the flesh, and empowers us to do right. Grace changes you from the inside out.
What We Live For
In verses 2-10 Paul addresses five groups of people on how to live. The first two groups are older men and older women. The older you get, the greater the temptation just to become an old, cynical, cranky grump! God’s people should grow old gracefully! Don’t lose your filter. Don’t just coast in for the landing. The older we get, the greater the temptation not to take risks or step out in faith. Moses, Joshua, and Caleb had their greatest victories in their later years. Don’t just sit and sour. Be different.
The next two groups are young women and young men. Young women are to love their husbands and children. They are to be homemakers. The home is not only the wife’s responsibility, however. I help “Miss” Tammy and she helps me. We are in this thing together! Young men need self-control. All that passion, drive, ego, pride, should be submitted under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The final group is bondservants. Today, that would be employees. As a Christian in the workplace, you may be the only Bible people read. Christians ought to be the best employees. They should have a good attitude, come early, stay late, give 110%, and go the extra mile. You work for God, not your boss!
What We Look For
Verse 13 says, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” It is so easy to look at other people. The grass always looks greener on the other side. You look at other people’s marriages, houses, cars, jobs, kids, and think they have it better or easier. Look to Jesus. Our hope is not in this world. Just ask a believer confined to a hospital bed or suffering from a terminal disease how it is that they have hope. If you have hope in this life only, you are most miserable. But because of God’s grace, we have the blessed hope that the perfect Son of God will one day make us perfect and whole like Him!
What We Labor For
In verse 14 we read that because of our redemption, we should be “zealous for good works.” What are you zealous about? People are zealous about sports, hunting, fishing, boating, traveling, etc. If you have experienced grace, you should be most zealous about Jesus! We give ourselves for the One who gave Himself for us. Blessed are those who die in the Lord for they do rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Will you have any good works to follow you to heaven?
God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and when He comes, He is bringing His reward with Him. But that is only for those who have experienced grace. Experiencing grace is the only way we can lead godly lives that make a difference in today’s culture.
