Our Teacher
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 now 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, vas 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, 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 ye
stand before him perfect, even in this body.
Don Fortner