On Sunday morning we continued our series in the book of Titus. The theme of the book is “truth that leads to godliness.” In chapter 1 we saw who should and should not be teaching in the church. Now in chapter 2, as we saw on Sunday, Paul tells Titus what he should be teaching for godliness. Whilst many of the characteristics described are useful for everyone, Paul emphasises different aspects of godliness to different groups in the church. He recognises that we are different, have different roles, different strengths, different temptations and struggles.
Where does the power and motivation come from to be godly? It would be easy to look at the lists in chapter 2:1-10 and to seek to do these things in our own strength. However, we will quickly fail. Paul gives the motivations for godliness in vs 11-14. The first is found in vs 11-12:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions…”
Grace teaches us to be godly. Grace is not a license to live as we please but, as we have seen time and again from Deuteronomy earlier in the year, there is a right response to grace – to live a godly life.
What does this mean for us? We should be those who daily look back and see the grace of God to us in sending Jesus to die for our sins. We have received far more than we’d ever deserve. But Jesus did not die for us to remain unchanged. As v14 reminds us, he died to “…purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Godliness is the right response to grace.
James Howlett