Transforming Grace

Grace That Transforms: Living a Life that Reflects Christ

I am proposing that the grace of God not only saves us but also transforms us, teaching us to turn from sin and live a life that reflects Jesus.

A. A Young Leader

- The book of Titus was written by the Apostle Paul to Titus, a young leader tasked with establishing order and teaching sound doctrine in the churches of Crete.

- Titus 2:11-14 focuses on God’s grace as both the foundation for salvation and the power for transformation. Paul emphasizes that grace doesn’t just save—it teaches and enables believers to live godly lives.

- The passage highlights three key aspects of grace: salvation, sanctification, and the anticipation of Christ’s return.

Context of Titus

- Crete was known for its moral corruption, dishonesty, and self-indulgence (Titus 1:12-13). Many new believers were coming out of this culture and needed guidance on how to live differently.

- The false teachers in Crete promoted legalism and moral laxity, both of which Paul opposed, by teaching that true grace leads to holiness, not lawlessness.

Titus 2:11-14:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. – Grace is God’s unmerited favor, and it is the foundation of our salvation. Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, Grace does not excuse sin but teaches us to turn from it. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. The return of Christ motivates us to live holy lives. Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession. Jesus’s sacrifice is not just about forgiveness but about transformation. Training (Gk. paideuo) – This word means disciplined instruction, like that of a loving father guiding a child. Redeem (Gk. lutroo) – To pay the price for release from bondage. Jesus’s death frees us from sin’s power, not just its penalty.

Cross-References:

Romans 6:1-2 – Paul reminds us that grace is not a license to sin but a call to live differently. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation—the old is gone, the new has come.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever 1 John 2:16

Grace Saves Us (Titus 2:11)

We cannot earn salvation—it is purely God’s grace. Salvation is available to all, but it must be received. Grace Trains Us (Titus 2:12)

Grace teaches us to say no to sin, not by fear but through love for Jesus. The more we focus on loving Jesus, the less we desire sin. Grace Gives Us Hope (Titus 2:13-14)

We live in expectation of Christ’s return. Jesus purifies us, making us a people set apart for Him.

Salvation is not about what we do; it’s about what Christ has already done. Grace means we don’t have to clean ourselves up before coming to Jesus; He meets us where we are. Just because salvation is available to all doesn’t mean all will receive it—we must respond to this hope in faith. The same grace that saves us also transforms us. You fall into temptation, and that temptation becomes a sinful habit because you are more concerned with trying not to sin than with loving Jesus. Sin feels like freedom until we try to stop By loving Jesus and cultivating that relationship with Him, you will naturally turn away from sin because you will realize that your sin is breaking His heart. Grace not only changes our past and present—it gives us a future hope. When you truly understand the gospel, your response changes: ‘Oh no, I messed up, don’t tell Dad’ becomes ‘Oh no, I messed up, call Dad! Jesus didn’t just redeem us from something—He redeemed us for something: a life set apart for Him.

Now that we understand how grace saves us, let’s look at how it also teaches us to live differently. Grace is not just about avoiding hell—it’s about living in a way that prepares us for heaven. As we close, let’s consider how grace calls us to live in eager anticipation of Christ’s return.

Imagine a child who breaks something valuable at home. If they don’t understand the love of their father, they will try to hide it, fearing punishment. But if they know their father’s love, they will run to him for help. That’s the difference between religion and the gospel. Religion says, “I messed up, don’t tell Dad.” The gospel says, “I messed up, I need to call Dad.” When we understand grace, we don’t just try to avoid sin—we run to Jesus, knowing He is the source of our transformation.

The grace of God not only saves us but also transforms us, teaching us to turn from sin and live a life that reflects Jesus.

Grace saves us—we cannot earn it. Grace trains us—it teaches us to love Jesus more than sin. Grace gives us hope—we look forward to Christ’s return.

This week, shift your focus from trying not to sin to cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus. Every time you feel tempted, instead of just saying "no" to sin, say "yes" to Jesus by spending time in His Word and in prayer. Ask yourself: "Am I running from God in my failures, or am I running to Him?" Choose to call Dad.

FOOTPRINTS

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he

was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For

each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints

the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to

the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before

him, he looked back at the footprints in the

sand. He noticed that many times along the

path of his life there was only one set of foot

prints. He also noticed that it happened at the

very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the

LORD about it.

"LORD, you said that once l

decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all

the way. But I have noticed that during the

most troublesome times in my life, there is only

one set of footprints. I don't understand why

when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious

child, I love you and I would never leave you

During your times of trial and suffering, when

you see only one set of footprints, it was then

that I carried you