tit 02v11 12 Our Teacher
OUR TEACHER 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 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 was 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, in 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, we stand
before him perfect in our resurrection bodies (Rom.