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In the New Testament, the “grace of God” refers to the unearned and unearnable favor God has extended to mankind. In the classical Greek literature, such grace was extended only to friends. In the New Testament, a new and evolutionary dimension is added: God extended it to His enemies. A fine study on the subject is found in Titus 2:11–14. The passage says the “grace of God hath appeared.” It is now revealed through the work of Christ and the declarations of His Word. God’s grace has appeared unto “all men” in that it embraces all people potentially. It blesses only those who accept it on God’s own terms. What are the ingredients of God’s grace toward us?
- Salvation (v.11). A planet of rebellious creatures stood under condemnation of an all-righteous Creator. The guiltless Judge stepped down from the bench and said, “I will take their place and die in their stead,” (v. 14). Since He died for us, we do not have to “die” eternally. Divine justice has been satisfied and by the death of Christ we have life (Rom. 5:18; 6:23). This salvation is not granted indiscriminately but is for those who obey Christ (Heb. 5:9).
- Instruction (v.12). Grace includes responsibility as well as privilege: we must hear and obey God’s instruction. Some things are absolutely forbidden if we would continue in grace. There is also a certain way we must live “in this present world.” To ignore God’s instruction is to forfeit His grace.
- Anticipation (v. 13). By God’s grace we have many spiritual blessings presently, but our ultimate hope rests in anticipation of the Lord’s coming when He will gather us home with all the redeemed. May we constantly live in consciousness of that coming.
- Possession (v.14). He redeemed us by giving Himself for us. He freed us from sin’s slavery to live for Himself. In our redemption we were purified of all iniquity and made His possession. Zeal for good works is a necessary ingredient of living in His favor (cf. Eph. 2:8–10). We deny and forfeit God’s grace when we have no energy for serving God.
God’s offers grace to all but doesn’t grant it universally; nor does He force it upon anyone. Only those who obey the Son of God may claim it (Mark 16:16; 2 The. 2:7–9).
[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in the January 1, 1976, edition of the Granbury Gospel, weekly bulletin of the Granbury Church of Christ, Granbury, Texas, of which I was editor.
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
