Titus 2:11-15
God's Grace is a Holy Teacher. God knows we have lessons to learn and His Wonderful and Precious Grace is our teacher. Paul states the lessons to Titus clearly.
The first thing to notice about the lessons of Grace is that they deal with real life. Paul is not presenting a theoretical theology here. He's not pontificating from an ivory tower as one untouched by reality. He's dealing with what every believer faces every day of their lives. We live in a world filled with ungodliness and sinful passions. Grace teaches us to say "no" to both.
"Ungodliness" is asebeian . It comes from the word asebes , which means "without worship." It meant to be "godless, without fear and reverence of God." A "godless" person is one who behaves in a way that is opposite of what the fear of God demands. The "ungodly" are wicked and immoral people. They reject God and His authority. They do as they please. The "ungodly" are concerned only with their will and not the Will of God. Paul tells Titus that Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness. Grace teaches us to say "Yes" to God's Will. It teaches us that what God wants is the best thing for us and that's what we should do. It means placing God first in our lives and saying "No" to thoughts that we know better than God. Grace teaches us to love and respect God for that is the beginning of Wisdom. Anything less takes us away from the full and beautiful relationship we can have with Him. The more you understand and love a person and respect them for who and what they are brings you closer to them. The same is true with God. We are as close to God as we can be because Christ is "in" us and we are "in" Christ. God wants us to enjoy that intimacy in our relationship to Him. Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness because it comes between our growing in love and intimacy with the Great God of Eternity. Grace will always lead us toward a deeper love of and devotion to God. We cannot grow in the direction of God when we're growing in "ungodliness." The two oppose each other. God opposes "ungodliness." So must we.
"Worldly passions" is kosmikas epithumias . "Worldly" is that which pertains to this world: the world you and I live in today. "Passions" is a strong desire. It can be either good or bad. In this context, the passion is for that which pertains to this world, rather than God's world. Grace teaches us to be passionate about the things of God and say "No" to being passionate for the things of this world. Does that mean Christians shouldn't work or buy a home or invest in the stock market or get nice things for their children? No. Grace teaches us to put our passions in the proper order. Our first passion should be for Christ. God tells us how to use our passions properly. He wants us to live for Him. He wants to reach out to a world starving for His Grace and Love and tell them about Christ, the Lover of our Souls. God knows that our life is eternal and that giving ourselves to that which is eternal is the best way to live. God does not live in a vacuum. He understands what life is about. He knows what we do. He knows our needs and desires. He knows our wants and dreams. He doesn't ask us to live in a vacuum either. He tells us to live a godly life before our families. He tells husbands to love their wives. He tells wives to love their husbands. He tells fathers to love their children and children to love their dads. He tells employees to work hard for their employers and be examples of God's Love and Grace in the workplace. He tells employers to treat their employees fairly and with kindness. He tells Christians to behave gently around non-believers and be light and salt in their neighborhoods and communities. Grace teaches us how to use our passions in every area of our days and nights to influence others for God's purposes. God is the most balanced Being in the universe and His Grace teaches us how to be balanced as people who live on earth and are seated in the heavenlies.
Paul tells Titus that Grace teaches us "to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Grace begins by teaching us what "not" to do. Then it teaches what to do instead.
"Self-controlled" is sophronos . The word comes from sophron , which comes from soos , which means "sound," and phren , which means "understanding." It carries the idea of being of a sound mind. A sound understanding of what's right and wrong, real and unreal, proper and improper leads to self-control. Dr. Vine wrote this about sophronos : "it suggests the exercise of that self-restraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to be conformed to the mind of Christ." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Self-control is one of the greatest lessons parents can teach their children. It is the great lesson God's Grace will teach Christians. We must control ourselves. Lack of self-control has led to some of the darkest days in the lives of Christians, their families and churches. Most of us have witnessed the damage the lack of self-control has caused in the Christian community. How we need God's Grace to teach us quickly before the Body of Christ loses its power to demonstrate God's Love to the lost and dying around us. How we need to understand Christ "in" us, the hope of glory. We must pray every day that Grace will teach us "self-control." We can use our passions fully for God when we learn to control the passions for self.
"Upright" is dikaios . It comes from the word dike . Ancient Greeks understood the meaning to be expected behavior or conformity to the imposed standard of another with a prescribed punishment for nonconformity. An "upright" person is one who conforms to what is right and just. Grace teaches us to conform to what God says is right and just. God is our Authority. He established the standards. He explained the standards. He governs those standards and stands as the only Judge of those standards. God determines what is right and wrong. No one else can do that. No one. God uses human beings to explain God's standards and even enforce them at times, but no one can stand as God in our lives. Good laws are those laws that are based on God's standards and God's judgment of what is right and what is wrong. Good leadership is leadership that is based on God's standards for leadership and His judgment of what is right and wrong. Grace stands ready at every moment to teach us the lesson of being "upright." Grace uses God's Word to instruct us in His righteousness and justice. Christ "in" us uses His Grace to lead us where He wants us to be.
"Godly" is eusebos . It comes from eu , which means "well," and sebomai , which means "to be devout." We are "godly" because we are "in" Christ and He is "in" us. We are the "righteousness" of God in Christ. That is our position in Christ. Christ "in" us will show us how to live a "godly" life. Christ teaches us how to behave in accordance with who we are in Him. Christ shows us how to wake up in the morning thinking about how to please God that day. Christ shows us ho to go through our day looking for each new opportunity that arises to please God. Christ shows us how to go to bed at night reflecting on how we pleased God that day and how we might please Him tomorrow. "Godliness" is not what we do when we enter the church building on Sunday. It's what we do Friday and Saturday night when we're out with friends. It's what we do in the private moments when no one else sees us. It's what we do at work and school. It's the way we live every moment of our lives. "Godliness" is an attitude that reflects the Face of God in our thoughts and actions. "Godliness" is our way of life. It comes from our relationship with the God Who lives "in" us.
These are Lessons of Grace. This is what God would have us do while we're on earth. He wants us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions. He wants us to say "Yes" to living self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
It's important to remember that what we're doing today is in light of something far greater than what we see now. We're living our self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ in us to take us to Heaven. What do we do while we wait? Jesus gave Himself for us "to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Our time of waiting should be taken up with an eagerness to do what is good. That's where our passions should flow. That's what should drive us. "Doing good" is the result of the Lesson of Grace! Be eager to learn it.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Standing firm in your faith is a vital part of the "Christian walk." The primary word for "walk" in the New Testament is peripateo . It was used in the physical sense in the Gospels and Acts. Paul always used the word in a figurative sense.
The Greeks understood the figurative definition to be: "live, conduct yourself." The way a person "walked" meant the way they lived their lives and conducted themselves.
We find six Greek words translated by the English word "walk." Paul used perpiateo , more than 80% of the time.
Even as there is a natural order to the physical life, there is a natural order to the spiritual life.
Ephesians 2:1-3
The word "dead" is vekrous . It means "without life, lifeless."
Here's how the physical and spiritual compare:
Part of that growth process is the increased ability to stand and walk. The ability to stand spiritually is to have the strength to face opposition and not be moved. The word "stand" is stekete . It means "to continue, endure, persist." The word carries with it the idea of standing against opposition.
With that in mind, let's look at some of Paul's advice about standing firmly.
Romans 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 15:1
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Galatians 5:1
Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6:13-15
Philippians 1:27-28
Philippians 4:1
Colossians 4:12
2 Thessalonians 2:15
An important prerequisite to walking effectively as a Christian is "standing" firmly and by faith. Physical and spiritual children crawl, sit, stand, then walk. Standing in God's strength is paramount to a powerful walk in Christ.
Here's Paul's list. We encourage you to print it, tape it where you will see it several times a day, and ask God to give you the courage to do it.
Romans 8:5
Pleasing God is the Secret to how we should live. God is already pleased with us because Christ is "in" us and we are "in" Christ. Now, God wants us to follow Christ's lead in our lives by obeying Him and fulfilling His desires. Too simple? There's got to be more to Christianity than that? Sorry. Spiritual success is no more complicated than doing what the Spirit desires. "...those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
Living the Grace Life comes in two parts:
The benefit to God seems obvious, but what's the benefit to you?
Romans 8:6
How would you like to live a life of peace? Who wouldn't! Obey God, do what pleases Him and the Holy Spirit will control your mind and give you life and peace. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Let's look at some of the things that please God. Make a note of them, do them and reap life and peace. (Part of knowing what pleases God is knowing what "displeases" Him.)
Romans 6:1-2
Romans 8:1-8
Romans 14:12-14
Romans 14:14-18
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
1 Corinthians 7:17-19
2 Corinthians 4:1-2
2 Corinthians 5:7-10
2 Corinthians 10:2-6
Galatians 5:13-18
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 4:1-2
Ephesians 4:17
Ephesians 5:1-2
Ephesians 5:8
Ephesians 5:15-17
Philippians 3:17
Colossians 1:9-10
Colossians 2:6-8
Colossians 3:5-10
Colossians 4:5-6
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5
God wants us to please Him. He wants us to obey Him. God has not left us without knowledge about what pleases Him. He placed Christ "in" us and us "in" Christ. He revealed His Will for us to the Apostle Paul. I encourage you to give "God-pleasing" your full attention in the coming days. My prayer is that each of us will find great success in How We Should Live.
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Last Updated: 12/20/1999 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These then are the things you should teach."
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These then are the things you should teach."
Heavenly Father, help each of us to hear Your Voice each day. Help us to learn the Lessons of Grace that You so kindly and patiently teach us. Help us see what's important and direct our strong desires to what You desire. Help us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions. Help us to say "Yes" to living self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Help us to be eager to do good.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature."
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand."
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love."
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any away by those who oppose you."."
"Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
"As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."
"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldy. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?"
"Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts."
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
"We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
"I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete."
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law."
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
"As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you."
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God."
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © , 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."