What Grace Teaches Us
Titus 2:11- 14 NLT
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Lately, I have enjoyed doing devotionals from the New Living Translation. It is considered an accurate translation, and I find it easier to read with words that I do not have to explain as often. But I still am a fan of the New King James. I started with King James and made the switch in the 80's. It is the version that I have verses memorized. In our passage for today, the New King James reads "…for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men teaching us…" I have always resonated with the phrase "God's grace teaches us."
What is grace teaching? First, that it is God's grace that brings salvation. Not the works of man. And salvation is available for all people. That may sound simple to us, but it was profound in the day Paul wrote those words. Especially to legalistic Jews who thought that they had God all to themselves.
Grace teaches us to turn from living as the godless world lives; that we are to live differently. Not giving in to sinful pleasures but living as lights in a dark world. Living with godly wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. I like that last phrase. What the NKJ calls godliness, the NLT calls devotion to God, and that is easier to understand. Grace is not a harsh teacher, nor does it create unrealistic standards. Because we are changed people, we can live differently than the world around us.
And grace reminds us that we are waiting for the day when our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear in all His glory. That will be a day. Until then, we live remembering that He gave His life for us. He freed us from being dominated by sin, and He has cleansed us and made us His own special people. A people who are committed to doing good, and by doing good, representing and glorifying Him.
Grace has a lot to say because grace has done so much for us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I want to take the time to thank You for what You have done for me. I could not cleanse myself from sin or free myself from sin's grip. But You did, and I am, and so I rejoice in Your grace!