GRACE THAT TEACHES
December 2013 |
Titus 2:11-12 - “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.”
CONCEPTS OF GRACE
The grace of God would be described by most Christians as simply “unmerited favor.” While this certainly is an adequate overview of God’s Grace, it really explains very little as to the many faceted aspects of God’s Grace. Brother Swaggart describes God’s Grace as, “The goodness of God given to undeserving people.” Webster’s dictionary gives the following as a definition for grace: “Unmerited divine assistance in one’s regeneration and sanctification.” Always keep in mind that it is impossible to work for grace. Any thinking or action that contradicts this will ultimately cut itself off from receiving grace. To work for grace is a virtual impossibility. Grace is something we receive that is freely given. Grace is something that we can’t work for, don’t deserve, and can never earn. Therefore, it is impossible to “work for grace.”
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GRACE
As I have already stated, there are numerous aspects of the grace of God, but the one aspect I want to focus upon is the aspect of “grace that works.” If it’s true that grace “works,” then it must also be true that grace is tied to or associated with a person. That Person in the life of the believer is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the One who works in us and conforms us to the image of Jesus, and the One who brings the blessings of God to believers, is the Holy Spirit. Based on this theological surety, the active aspect of God’s Grace should be clearly seen as the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
GRACE AT SALVATION
The “grace of God that bringeth salvation” should be thought of in this light: Jesus, in his initial advent to this earth, paid the price at Calvary’s Cross for everything that the human being would need to be restored to relationship with the Father. Again, at Calvary, everything was paid for by Christ. Thus, salvation was offered free of charge outside of any work that the human being can perform. The believer’s responsibility is the responsibility of faith. When the believing sinner expresses simple faith in the finished Work of Christ, the active grace of God and the operation of the Holy Spirit begins. He first circumcises and recreates the interior of the new believer. This is dramatic. This is climactic. This brings a “new genesis’ into the interior part of the believer. A love for God is formed, forgiveness of sin is acknowledged, and the power of the sin nature is broken. All of this and more is the work of the Holy Spirit at the split second of true conversion. Hallelujah!! Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
GRACE THAT TEACHES
Paul goes on to say in Verse 12 of our Text that God’s Grace doesn’t just save us, but rather that God’s Grace has the ability to teach us. This indicates that the need for grace and the process of grace must be embraced and understood far beyond the salvation experience. We are in need of God’s Grace and the effectual working of the Holy Spirit every single day. In Galatians 2:8-9, Paul states that it was the grace of God working effectually in Peter and working mightily in his own heart that was changing the man who had once denied Christ, as well as the man who had at first persecuted the church. In I Cor 15:10, Paul says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” In our Text, Paul states that grace teaches us! It reveals what we are to deny, and it teaches us what to embrace. However, remember, the only way to access the active grace of God is through properly placed faith. As we daily deny our own strength and ability to change and empower ourselves, we are truly denying ourselves. As we learn more and more to depend upon the finished work of Christ, the active grace of God and the effectual working of the Holy Spirit will find the freedom to save, teach, and purify the saint. This is the only process given to us in Scripture by which we as believers can grow. It is all about faith and grace. As we trust in the Cross, the Holy Spirit is free to flow like a river and do what no man can do. The active grace of God changes us and empowers us to live the truly victorious Christian life! All of this is through simple faith in the Cross!
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