I want to see grace as a world view, a transfer of viewpoint, a new understanding and focus. Grace must become more than a definition, though it starts there. Grace teaches a particular mode of life as in Titus 2:11.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:11-12
Having detached from ungodliness and lust we live:
First, “Soberly”, from Wesley, “Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.”
Second, “Righteously “— “Righteousness, distinguished here from godliness, consists in abstaining from injuring any one in his person, reputation, or fortune; in discharging all the duties belonging to the relations in which a man stands to others, and to the station in which he is placed; in being true and just in all his dealings; in performing his covenants and promises faithfully; and, in short, in rendering to every man his due, and doing to all as he would they should do to him.” Benson
Thirdly, “godly” or piously, in relation to God (not merely amiably and justly, but something higher, godly, with love and reverence toward God).
These three comprise our “disciplining” in faith and love. JFB
Titus 2:13 continues “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
MacLaren comments,” The very idea of discipline involves the notion that it is a preparatory stage, a transient process for a permanent result. It carries with it the idea of immaturity, of apprenticeship, so to speak. If it is discipline, it is discipline for some condition which is not yet reached. And so if the grace of God comes ‘disciplining,’ then there must be something beyond the epoch and era within which the discipline is confined.”
“Take the characteristics of the grace – clearly enough, it is preparing men for something beyond itself.” MacLaren
Hebrews 12:28 Exhorts the believer, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
Please remember the words of Paul in Romans 4:4-5 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ” Faith remains the sole living mode of the believer and all taught in Titus 2:11 -12 is accomplished by faith. see Romans 5:2, 11:6,
Romans 4:16 a “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;”
So, to summarize the words of Titus, certain self discipline and a certain devotion to God, we are taught by grace. Also we must learn how grace operates in relation to those around us. To this we will touch upon briefly.
“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1Co_14:40),
Matthew Henry comments, “that they should avoid every thing that was manifestly indecent and disorderly. Not that they should hence take occasion to bring into the Christian church and worship any thing that a vain mind might think ornamental to it, or that would help to set it off. Such indecencies and disorders as he had remarked upon were especially to be shunned. They must do nothing that was manifestly childish (1Co 14:20), or that would give occasion to say they were mad (1Co_14:23), nor must they act so as to breed confusion, 1Co_14:33.
But they were to do things in order; they were to speak one after another, and not all at once; take their turns, and not interrupt one another. To do otherwise was to destroy the end of a Christians ministry, and all assemblies for Christian worship. They should have nothing in them that is childish, absurd, ridiculous, wild, or tumultuous; but all parts of divine worship should be carried on in a manly, grave, rational, composed, and orderly manner. God is not to be dishonored, nor his worship disgraced, by our unbecoming and disorderly performance of it and attendance at it.”
In closing, Paul spoke twice,
1Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. “And again, ‘all things are lawful for me, but all things edify “not 1 Corinthians 10:23
In the matter of the heathen practice of sacrificing meats to idols, Paul exhorts the believers,
“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” 1Corinthians 8:9
To summarize chapter 8 , Paul makes us aware that we must consider the conscience of our brother. If a brother is prone to be condemned in his soul by my words or actions, I must avoid those words or actions. Paul taught in another place:
Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. “
Finally, grace teaches us that love must govern brotherly interactions. If we fail at any love endeavor, grace supersedes all. Hebrews teaches us to hold grace at any cost in 12:28. Never fail it in Hebrews 12:15. Let it define and govern our new world. love ya
