Godliness is possible (Titus 2:11-15)
The previous devotional How we live matters speaks of the importance of our godly living that bears fruit and is in accordance with the knowledge and truth of the gospel.
The devotional drew out the call for holiness and godliness which is humanly impossible to do on our own. It would need someone greater than us and outside of us for it to be possible. This devotional aims to briefly pick up from where the previous devotional left off.
Godliness is possible.
For sure failings and sins of the past and current are flooding your mind from that statement. Even the anticipated fear of not getting things right are lurking. “This can not be true,” you think to yourself. The people reading Paul’s letter would have thought the same too. In light of our imperfections and failings which are ever before us this statement is highly impossible. It sounds unattainable, just a dream.
However, Paul calls the people and us to look outside of ourselves and our situation, but to God’s grace that has appeared through Christ Jesus : His death, resurrection and return (second coming).
He says:
“11 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 Savior, 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. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:11-15)
After Paul lays down the instructions for godly living, He further gives encouragement to godly living with this verse. Godliness is possible because the grace of God has appeared. This grace is from God (greater than us and outside of us) and has been offered to all kinds of people. This grace is also sufficient for salvation from wrath and reconciliation with God. However it is available to those who believe in the one through whom this grace comes - Jesus Christ.
How does this grace make godliness possible?
“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”
Apart from the grace of God, we can not be godly out of our own accord. There is so much in this present age working against us in the pursuit for godliness and sanctification: worldly passions, our flesh and the devil. Our efforts can only go so far, we need the Lord’s help or we risk falling away, we risk getting overcome by our flesh, deceived and blinded from truth by the devil. We risk becoming enemies with God. Therefore, God’s grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and passions of the world when it is our natural inclination to desire to say ‘Yes” to them. (Ephesians 2:1-3). Only through this grace - with the holy spirit dwelling and working in us will we be able to live above reproach and in God’s standards.
God’s grace also keeps us in the walk of faith, by helping us live upright lives. God’s grace helps us to persevere and to keep setting our eyes on the future when Jesus returns.
Let us be encouraged dear friends that the Lord has given us grace to kill sin, he has given us grace to our identity those who are his - no longer slaves to sin but free; regenerated and renewed by his Holy Spirit. He has given us grace to set our minds above in heaven where Christ is seated and forward where we will wait for his return.
