Titus 2:11-12

Passage

For the saving grace of God was being shown to all mankind while instructing us in order that after denying godlessness and desires for worldly standards we should live self-controlled, righteously, and devoutly in this present age ...

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The saving grace was being shown to all mankind.  Forgive me, but I’m going to do some Greek grammar here.  The verb “was being shown” is in the simple past tense.  What that means is that the action happened in the past and it stopped happening in the past.  This is why I wrote “was being shown” isn’t of “has been shown” or “is being shown.”  As Paul writes this letter, he is thinking on a specific incident in the past that began and ended through which God’s grace was shown to the whole world.  What else could Paul be thinking of as he writes this verse than the crucifixion of Christ!  In that one event, God’s grace irrevocably came to mankind for us to receive it!  The invitation has been fully extended!  It is already ours for the taking.  We don’t have to wait for it to be extended more or again.  We simply can claim what God has already accomplished in the past.  His work is done, our response is all for which He is waiting.

Has God’s grace been shown to you?  Have you claimed it?  How so?

Second Thought:

Paul reminds Timothy that we begin with denying godlessness and the desire for worldly standards.  We move forward in Christ after we receive His grace and deny the world.  Of course we don’t do this perfectly and we occasionally make mistakes.  But do not lose sight of this middle piece of advice.  Rising above the ways of the world is an important step.  Coming to a place in our life where we look down upon the world’s standards is important!

Where in your life do you still ascribe to worldly standards?  Why do you still look for the world there?

Third Thought:

After we have learned to look down upon the standards of the world, we can look up to the standards of God.  Paul tells Titus to set self-control, righteousness, and devotion as the goal.  Paul is telling Titus that it is about us and our submissive relationship to God that is what will carry us through life.  Our desire and God’s ability to curb our selfish passions is significant.  Our desire and God’s ability to seek the righteousness of God will inspire our behavior.  Our desire and God’s ability to bring us devotedly before Him will create within us the right mindset.

Where would you evaluate yourself with respect to self-control, righteousness, and devotion?  Where can you improve?  Where are you already successful through God’s grace?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 2:13-15