In this short paragraph from the book of Titus, Paul gives us one of the New Testament’s great mountain peaks:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 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. - Titus 2:11-14
Titus was a pastor, and all pastors worth their salt long for their church’s members to grow in godliness. So a common shortcut is to lay down rules to obey, and use the stick of guilt to keep people “up to scratch”. But that is the fatal path of legalism—trying to earn, or keep, salvation through our own goodness. God has given a life-saving alternative: the gospel of Christ.
The first “appearing”: in the past (v 11-12)
The second “appearing”: in the future (v 13-14)
Christianity is never rules-based—we never grow beyond the gospel. We must not slip into the mindset that we are saved by grace but now we live by law. The gospel both saves us and motivates us to live for Christ, as the pure people He has died to make us. Knowing that the grace of God has appeared, and will appear, is all we need to desire to live in a way which is “good” (v 7). The more we understand and appreciate the gospel, the more we’ll obey God.
