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 the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. (Tt 2:11–15).
In many sermons on grace I've heard, I wonder how common it might be for the audience to believe that God's grace means overlooking sin. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. God's grace is the gift that enables us to live beyond what is possible for a typical person. It empowers us to walk free from the obstacles of sin and the world.
Let's explore this passage in the context of other New Testament writings.
The grace of God brings salvation.
Firstly, the passage emphasizes the importance of God's grace in bringing salvation to all people. This theme is echoed throughout the New Testament, with Paul writing in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Indeed, the passage in Timothy offers a glimpse into the heart of God and his deep desire for all of his creation to be saved. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, we read, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." This passage reveals that God's desire for salvation extends to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The fact that God desires none to perish shows us the depth of his love and compassion for humanity. He doesn't want anyone to be lost or separated from him forever. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Through his sacrifice, we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But he also provided grace to forgive our sins and empower us to live above sin.
The grace of God teaches us.
Notice that one of the functions of Grace is that of an instructor. Grace does not wink at sin but teaches the believer to live a godly life in the present age by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. This instruction is a common New Testament theme, as Paul consistently emphasizes the importance of living a holy and righteous life in Christ.
But what does it mean to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts?" It implies that the believer should reject behaviours and attitudes contrary to God's will and instead pursue a “sober, righteous, and godly life."
The phrase "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts" can be understood as a call to resist the temptation to engage in sinful behaviour or pursue things contrary to God's will. This idea is consistent with other passages in the New Testament that call for believers to live a life of holiness and purity.
For example, in Romans 6:12-13, the Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."
Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul writes,
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
The New Testament calls believers to live a life characterized by soberness, which can be understood as living in a profound, self-controlled way focused on God's purposes. This involves avoiding excess and frivolity and instead living a disciplined and purposeful life.
In 1 Peter 4:7, the apostle writes, "But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers." Similarly, in Titus 2:2-6, Paul exhorts older men and women to be "temperate, reverent, sound in faith, in love, in patience" and younger men to be "sober-minded." meaning to avoid excess and frivolity, living soberly also means pursuing God's purposes for our lives. For example, in Colossians 1:9-10, Paul writes, "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Overall, the message of this passage is that as recipients of God's grace, we are called to live in a way that is pleasing to God, and that reflects the values of His Kingdom.
The Grace of God motivates us to be zealous for good works.
Finally, the passage emphasizes the importance of good works, a recurring theme in the New Testament. James writes in James 2:14-17,
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
The New Testament is clear that any attempt to gain salvation through our own efforts, or what is known as "dead works," is futile. However, it also teaches that once we receive salvation and grace, the natural result is that we are motivated to do good works.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." This passage emphasizes that salvation is a free gift from God, not something that can be earned through our own efforts.
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