Grace Has Appeared

Grace Has Appeared

Titus 2:11–14

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” - Titus 2:11–14

What a wonderful image of what God’s grace actually does, actually accomplishes, in the life of a believer!

One of the more comforting aspects of God’s grace, can be found in the fact that Christ not only offers us redemption and forgiveness from offences of the past; but the Grace of Christ also transforms our present and gives us hope for the future.

Paul says that the grace of God has “appeared, bringing salvation.” The grace of God has appeared! Sometimes we think of grace as some abstract idea; that’s spiritual, but not tangible! There’s no doubt that we need grace... and we welcome it... but it’s also kinda aloof and ethereal in our perception at times.

But that’s not what our scripture today relates. Paul says, “grace has appeared.” The original Greek word here, translated “appeared” - means “to become visible, to view openly, or to make oneself known or manifest.” The word carries the idea of something previously unseen becoming visibly present!

So in other words, Paul’s not just saying that God’s grace exists; he’s saying that God’s grace has come into the open and has been fully revealed! And that appearance, that revelation, is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Of course, at the cross, Christ gave Himself to redeem His people from sin. Salvation’s not something we accomplish through our own goodness or religious effort, or worthiness. It’s the gracious work of God from beginning to end.

But notice what grace does after saving us: it trains us. Saving grace is not a “one-and-done” kinda thing! It keeps working, it keeps effectively molding us, and shaping us, into what Christ would have us be.

Grace teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly desires... and to say “yes” to a life that is self-controlled, upright, and godly. Grace creates a life of transformation. A life that’s becoming more and more reflective of the power of God’s grace working within!

And listen: this grace that’s working within us produces a recognizable change - an obvious change; because it produces fruit in keeping with repentance and righteousness... like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In other words, the same grace that justifies us (that saves us) also begins the work of sanctifying us (of making us holy)... of transforming us evermore into the image of Christ.

It’s a foundational Biblical truth: we are not redeemed or justified because we become holy; we become holy because we have been redeemed. Good works are not the root of our salvation—they are the fruit of God’s saving grace.

So, after affirming that Grace has appeared... bringing us salvation and training us to live godly lives in the present... Paul points us toward the future, as we await our “blessed hope.” And our hope’s not necessarily nor ultimately found in better circumstances, greater possessions, or even a better world (although we pray for such things, and work for such things). Our hope is Jesus!

Notice what Paul calls Jesus here in Titus. It’s important! Paul calls Him, “our great God and Savior.” No beating around the bush. No shades of gray, or room for alternative understandings and theories. Jesus is our Great God, our Savior, who came to redeem God’s people... Who appeared in grace, but promises to return in glory. When He returns, our faith will become sight, our waiting will be over, and our hope will be fulfilled.

And we’re told why in Verse 14.

“[Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness (or lawlessness) and to purify for himself a people that are his very own (his own possession) who are eager (or zealous) to do what is good.”

Christ certainly redeemed us FROM something! But He also redeemed us FOR something. He redeemed us so that we might belong to Him and live lives that bring Him honor and glory, as we live out our calling to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world. So, until He returns, we’re called to live faithfully, to serve joyfully, and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is our blessed hope.

If you belong to Christ... God’s Grace has saved you.

~ Your salvation rests upon Christ, not your worth, merit or abilities.

If you belong to Christ... God’s Grace is changing you.

~ God is sanctifying you, teaching you to put sin to death and to display more and more of Christ’s character, and holiness.

If you belong to Christ... God’s Grace is leading you home.

~ Christ is coming again, and His return is the believer’s “blessed hope” - and foundational assurance, that empowers us to face the future with confidence, because we belong to the One who holds tomorrow.

Thanks be to “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

The Word of God for the People of God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.