Elder Devotional Titus 2:11-12

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

A. The Manifestation of Grace: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, (11).

The use of “For” at the beginning of verse 11 is connecting us back to the context. Paul has been instructing Titus concerning Christian behavior in such a way as to be reflective of Christian testimony and witness. By this they “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” in such a way the transforming work of God is displayed for others to see.

Grace has now appeared not only in the lives of believers but also to the unbelievers who witness God’s work in the life of the believers. This is a grace that is held out as an offer to bring salvation to all people.

It has often been said that the atonement of Christ is only for the elect of God in its efficacy but universal in its sufficiency and therefore Universal in its offer. The use of the the plural term, “anthropois” in the dative is literally translated “to all people” to denote God’s grace displayed in the offer of His salvation. It will only work effectually though for the elect.

There are many text that testify to the limited aspects of the atonement in its efficacy ( Matthew 1:21; 20:28; 26:28; John 10:11, 15; Acts 13:48; 20:28; Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 5:9). The critical aspect of this truth is that the atonement does not just make it possible for sinners to be saved but that the atonement of Christ actually purchases a particular people for God.

Why is there so much controversy regarding the doctrine of Limited Atonement or Particular Redemption?

Is this a critical issue when it comes to doctrinal truth? Why or Why not?

B. The Product of Grace: 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

God’s grace is producing in the life of the believer. Grace is assisting in the development of our ability to make appropriate choices for our life as a Christian (BAGD). We are learning to refuse our consent to godless behavior and worldly passions (cravings).

In contrast to this refusal we are to be learning to live lives that are exhibited by self-control, upright and godly in this present age. In Paul’s day such a life was in direct contradiction and stark contrast to the behavior in Crete where Titus was. Typical life in the Roman Empire was licentious and given to indulgence in sinful passions of all kinds. Such passions were even incorporated into pagan worship of the day.

What does verse 12 tell us about the work of grace in the life of the believer? How long does this go on?