Titus 2:11,14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people… He gave Himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people who are truly His, who are eager to do good.
In the letter from Paul, Titus was given a task: to appoint mature elders in every town where there were believers on the island of Crete. First Titus had to find these men who were “not prone to anger, not greedy, but hospitable, upright, devout, and self-controlled.” There was a storm blowing against this group of believers in Crete. There were many rebellious people – deceivers – who were leading whole families astray. These chosen elders had to be real examples of changed, mature believers. They had to be able to correct, exhort, and give sound teaching.
In his letter (Titus 2:11-14), Paul, addresses the core element of sound instruction: “For the grace of God appeared …” This is the reason we are laying down our lives. The grace of God did not appear without a goal. God gave the blood of His Son for a specific purpose: “ …to bring salvation to all.” Yes, salvation, but with a clearly defined task. “It (grace) trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Is that what we understand the focus and purpose of grace to be? If not, we need to find better elders, better examples, better teachers – because that is it. And to punctuate the point, Paul further states, “…as we WAIT for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
If there were any question about finding your best life now, this shoots it dead. We have been called by grace to a costly salvation. If salvation alone is not that pearl beyond any value, then we cannot be persuaded to sell out. And that is what this Gospel is all about. Those who receive this grace are His. They do not belong to this world and not even to themselves. They are His rightful, complete possession. With joy we hear of salvation, but scripture puts this price on it: the receiver must die. Consider again this message of grace. Consider the cost of being His. Grace appeared that we might be 100% His. Do we understand what this truly means? “He gave Himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people who are truly His – who are eager to do good!” (Titus 2:14)