The Grace of God
As recipients of the Grace of God, we who don’t deserve anything, yet we have received everything that we need including His supernatural enablement, which none of us can earn:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the 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 wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
We note that the great message of the grace of God involves five significant points.
1. The grace of God brings salvation ( v. 11)
God’s grace is the grace that brings salvation to man. God’s grace is Jesus Christ, the gift of the Saviour to the world. God’s grace -- the Lord Jesus Christ, saves the person:
who is in rebellion to God
who opposes God.
who sins against God.
God’s grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, reaches down to those who have rejected God and leading wayward lives.
Let’s note that God’s grace, the gift of His son to the world, is not deserved. God’s grace is not merited. No person deserves the favour of salvation that is in Christ because:
We come short of God’s glory in that we sin and transgress God’s law.
Whilst God dwells in the glory of His perfection, we live in the shame of corruption.
We come short of God’s glory in that we die.
The glory of God’s nature is that He lives forever, but the shame of our nature is that we die; We must go through the terrible, agonising and painful experience of death. We come ever so short of God’s eternal glory.
We come short of God’s glory in that we have violated the laws of heaven and are doomed to the judgment of hell. If we reject the privilege of living with God in this world, then we reject the right to live with God in heaven.
2. The Grace of God teaches us how to live. (v.12)
Firstly, God’s grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, teaches us to reject, renounce, give up, and have nothing to do with ungodliness and worldly lusts and passions.
Secondly, God’s grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.
3. The Grace of God teaches us about His return. (v.13)
God’s grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, teaches us to look for the return of the Lord.
His return will mean a glorious union; we will see Christ for the first time and be united with Him forever. (John 14:3)
His return will mean a glorious transformation of body : we will receive our new incorruptible and eternal bodies.
His return will mean a glorious life of happiness: we will receive perfect joy and freedom from trials, pain, suffering, evil and death.
His return will mean a glorious reward: Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…...(2 Tim. 4:8).
His return will mean an eternity of ruling and reigning: we will receive the position and responsibility of serving Christ through all eternity. (Rev. 22:5).
His return will mean a glorious dwelling place and mansions. (John 14:2-3).
4. The grace of God is demonstrated in the death of Christ. (v.14)
Christ bore the verdict, condemnation, and punishment of our sin, for us.
Christ died for our sins for three critical reasons :
Christ died to redeem us from all wickedness. We are guilty of disobeying and transgressing the law of God. The death of Christ was our ransom. His death sets us free from sin.
Christ died so that He might have a people that are His very own, a very special people as Hs own possession. Through the death of Jesus Christ, the believer becomes the very special possession of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died to stir good works. The believer works tirelessly, doing all the good he can to reach everyone he can with the glorious message of redemption.
5. The grace of God is a message to be proclaimed. (v.15)
We proclaim the grace of God:
When we preach, teach and bear witness to the grace of God. God loves the world. He sent His only son into this word to die for our sins. Therefore, as His children, we are commissioned to teach the message of the grace of God day by day.
When we encourage people in the grace of God. People are lonely, empty, without purpose, distressed and without hope. They need to hear about the wonderful life God gives us now and eternally all through the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we rebuke people living in sin and unrepentance. They are fools to reject eternal life, the glorious redemption and hope that Christ gives. People need to be told the truth, rebuked, and put under conviction by our rebuking them in the grace of God.
May we be faithful custodians and practitioners of His grace.
Davidson James