“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
It is likely that no other passage in God’s word better summarizes the subject of a believer’s conduct.
Three aspects of a believer’s conduct are addressed in these beautiful verses. 1st. Obedient Christian living denies ungodliness and worldly lusts. All things done apart from God and the desire for the pleasures of this world as such are excluded. 2nd. Life should be lived in a godly, sober, and righteous manner in the present world, 3rd. The entire life should be lived in view of and with an expectation of the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.
Any message regarding Christian conduct that does not contain these three conditions is not true Christian conduct.
The present emphasis in many evangelical organizations appears to completely avoid mention of these three truths as essential to true Christian conduct. There is even a greater absence of emphasis on the biblical basis of teaching a believer how to live an obedient God honoring life. The truth that must be proclaimed is that the same grace that brings salvation must also teach the believer how to live a life that is acceptable and honoring unto God.
The individual who says, “I believe in grace, but I do not think it should be emphasized too often because such teachings lead to careless living”. This uninformed person has failed to understand that it is God’s work of grace that delivers from the wrath to come and provides enablement to live a life that is directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Among those who teach grace as the only means of salvation, absent of any works, there is only a tepid emphasis on the fact that the spiritual life is sustained, developed, and brought to maturity only by the operation of that same amazing grace.
Growth and development in a believer’s life only comes by means of the grace of God.
The Apostle Peter did not suggest, but commanded the believer to, “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). There is a compelling need to present the truth that salvation from the condemnation in Hell is entirely of grace, but also that this same grace which brings salvation teaches the believer how to live “godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12).
The teaching of the work of grace is the means of proper training, growth, and development. When the Bible student is taught by grace much more than knowledge is imparted. The truth that is taught must be in love and by means of the teaching ministry of the true teacher, God the Holy Spirit.
To learn well is not accomplished by intimidation or threats. The minister of the word must wisely point out to the believer that which is good and helpful and warn against that which is wrong and destructive. The believer must be instructed so that their understanding is expanded and filled with the mind of Christ, which is the word of God.
Proper teaching may mean admonitions about abstaining from things that are desired, but it also means giving encouragement to believers both in word and in deed. No proper Bible message ever means to forsake a member of His royal family but to love and encourage him to get up and go forward when he has fallen.
All impartation of Bible truths, all instruction, all reproof, all admonition, all exhortations are sweet elements of God’s’ grace and will fortify the believer to be a victor on the Spiritual battlefield of life rather than a victim.
It is an incorrect understanding that the LAW teaches individuals how to live Godly lives. The law surely sets forth high standards of moral living that man may know how to live a life that is pleasing unto God. Multitudes of believers and unbelievers hold this view; if it is not altogether held by the majority, many consent to it. This view does not correspond to the scriptures. It is certain that the unsaved are NOT taught righteousness by the law. If that were the purpose of the law, then man would be left with massive confusion as it is stated that by the law every mouth is stopped, and all the world is guilty before God.
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: that all mouths may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).
Not a single person has ever learned godliness by the precepts of the law. You may ask was the Mosaic Law given to Israel to teach them the conduct He required? In giving the law many sacrifices were offered that served as a basis for extending mercy when they broke the law. This proves that God knew adherence to the law could not provide a righteousness that would produce an acceptable manner of life.
False doctrine infiltrated the Galatian church and the deceivers taught that the believer is made perfect by keeping the law. Had this contention been true, it might correctly be believed that the law is the instructor of righteousness, but Paul in contending against this error wrote,
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24, 25).
Please notice, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ. It is by the law and the failure to fulfill its demands that humankind is brought to Christ, who is the source of grace and truth. Since this glorious provision has been accomplished there is no further need for the law as a schoolmaster. Please notice another scripture that verifies the law is not a teacher of absolute righteousness.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). It is clear, to be under the law is to be dominated or ruled by sin. In the law God sets forth requirements of life for mankind. However, no law was given that could produce righteousness in the lives of humans. The reason is that the law merely tells individuals what they must do. Then it is left to mankind, in their own strength, to do that which the law demands. Because of a human’s sinful nature this is impossible. This is why the law cannot be a means of producing righteousness in humans. This is confirmed by the following scripture, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, (not by us) who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:3).
It is essential to recognize that all teaching of right living, to be effective, must not be grounded in law but in grace. Any appeal for godliness, not related to grace is based on a false foundation.
To ignore the law as a teacher is not to submit that there are no standards for a believer’s conduct. Grace not only sets a high standard but a standard that is far superior to the law. Standards of the law are on a high and virtually impossible legalistic level. Those of Grace are executed by means of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God and are far above what can be accomplished by keeping the law in the energy of the flesh.
It is grace that provides the needed spiritual assets to live in and even above the requirements of the law. This is accomplished by means of a power that is beyond human energy of the flesh; it is produced in the believer by means of the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit. Jesus said something, in clear and certain terms, about who and what the Holy Spirit is and what He would do in the believer.
“He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Thus, the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer is not to point to the highest level of human performance, but as the third member of the Godhead, He indwells to reveal and guide into “all truth.”
God the Father is the divine planner, God the son executes that amazing plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals this exclusive plan. Guidance into “all truth” is something that is entirely unfamiliar to the law.
Jesus declared, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The amazing grace which came by Him not only provides spiritual life, but by teaching and learning His infallible word human life becomes much more abundant and productive.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he stated: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3,6).
To begin His work in our lives the believer must be saved by His grace; the performance and execution of that life is to be disciplined and instructed by that same grace. God does not redeem a person and then leave him to himself to finish the perfect work He begins and completes in the believer. He Himself perfects that which He has begun. Grace is essential for the believer to become aware that it is not by might, power, or by means of the energy of the flesh but by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God.
“It is not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5).
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4,5).
How powerful it is to know that the same grace and the same loving kindness of God, which sent His Son to the Cross and brought salvation, also provides, protects, and develops that life which is born of God! Please notice the inspiring words in the following scripture:
“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 this present world” Titus 2:11,12,
Teaches whom? Teaches us, not everyone, but only those who receive Him by whom grace came. It is those who are His children that must be taught that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of the glorious Son of God. The instructions and disciplines of grace are not for those who are not members of His royal family. These lost individuals are blind, and naked before God. They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and cannot be taught how to live the Christian way of life until they have been made alive spiritually or born again by the person of the only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“And you hath He quickened, who were dead (not alive or able but dead) in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that NOW works in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1,2). Please carefully consider the powerful and well-known truth that is declared in the following verse:
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2: 8, 9).
It is evident that no one becomes righteous by doing righteous deeds, but having been MADE righteous by the finished work of Christ we then are equipped to do acceptable and righteous deeds. These deeds are accomplished by means of the controlling ministry of the Holy Spirit and are defined as gold, silver, and precious stones. These deeds will last throughout eternity and will not be burned as wood hay and stubble.
One is divine production under the controlling ministry of the Holy Spirit, the other is human production performed in the energy of the flesh for the glory of self or man and not for the glory of God.
The focus of a seeking and wise unbeliever may be widened by carefully examining the following scripture which is a deep fountain of absolute truth. These infallible scriptures reveal all that is required for a full understanding of God’s truth regarding eternal salvation that resides only in the person of a victorious and resurrected Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ.
“For He (God) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be MADE the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).
“Who SHALL also confirm you unto the end; that you may be blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8).
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30, 31).
Do not delay, believe on Him and you will receive everlasting Life!
“But as many as received Him, to them Gave He power, to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
To reject Him is to be eternally condemned!
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3).
“I AM the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
“He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).
