TYPES OF GRACE- There are two aspects of Grace, “common grace,” which speaks of God’s kind, unmerited favor upon undeserving people with common grace of sunshine, rain, provision of food etc. It is what people experience the world all over but there is a second type of grace which Paul speaks of here, it is “saving grace.” It refers to delivering grace from sin’s penalty, satan’s bondage and the wrath of God to bring them into His family, accepted forever as His Beloved. This is a work of His, independent of all others. It is not due to a person’s merits for they have none that appeal to God. This “Grace” refers to the Lord Jesus, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”-{John 1:14}
The word “Grace,” comes from a Greek Word “Charis” which means, undeserved, favor, goodwill, kindness, loving-kindness. It comes from “Chairo” which means – TO REJOICE. JOY…Favor, Acceptance… Kindness granted… A FAVOR DONE WITHOUT EXPECTATION OF RETURN…THE ABSOLUTE FREENESS OF THE LOVING KINDNESS OF GOD TO PEOPLE. GRACE FIND’S ITS ONLY MOTIVE IN THE BOUNTY AND FREE-HEARTEDNESS of the GIVER, IT IS UNEARNED…And UNMERITED FAVOR.
Grace is devoid of any works of a person, people, nation, or indeed the works of the world to make themselves right before God!
GRACE- “There are Three Principal Characteristics of Divine grace.
First, it is ETERNAL. Grace was planned before it was exercised, purposed before it was imparted: “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Tim. 1:9).
Second, it is FREE, for none did ever purchase it: “Being justified freely by His grace” (Rom. 3:24).
Third, it is SOVEREIGN, because God exercises it toward and bestows it upon whom He pleases: “Even so might grace reign.” – (Rom. 5:21). If grace “reigns” then is it on the throne, and the occupant of the throne is Sovereign. Hence “the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). Just because grace is unmerited favor, it must be exercised in a sovereign manner. Therefore does the Lord declare, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.” (Ex 33:19). “- AW PINK
TWO ENEMIES OPPOSED TO GRACE
A.- WORKS – The idea that ‘works’ can merit the favor of God is a lie. “Works salvation,” is embraced, taught that through “doing,” being “good,” as defined by people, organizations, religion can satisfy God. It is to falsely think- God can be impressed and cannot refuse our “good works.” It is to falsely think God grades on a scale. If you have enough “good works” that out-do the bad things, then God is “obligated” to accept you! It is the doctrine of demons. Lies! For it does not originate with God. It does not hold up to what God teaches in the Bible! To believe the lie that your “good works” are “good enough” for God to accept you is a lie! Cain thought his “work,” though it was not God’s way, should be “good enough!” Those who were building the tower of Babel thought they could “work” their way to Heaven. In the heart of all people we scour seeking some thread of “good deeds” to display to others, to God, to declare how “right” we are. That is arrogance, pride, deception and will lead to Hell. But another aspect of pride is to erroneously think there is no hope for you, that you have sinned so bad, God could have nothing to do with you. You exclude God. His character. His Grace. You have given up “trying” for acceptance, but you have not given up on yourself, so you too end with yourself rather than the Savior!
B.- LICENTIOUSNESS – is the idea that grace “saves” and then leaves the individual to continue on living practicing sin. A life devoid of Godly affections, direction, in the things things of God and for God Himself. His honor. His pursuits. His Will. It is to live as though there is no INFLUENCE on the life that brings about the Godly change which Titus 2:11-14 speaks of.
Both of these are opposed to the Grace of God extended, which not only saves but is changing a life from the inside out!
WHAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON!
ALL People are spiritually dead in their sins.{Read Ephesians 2:1-3}. We are ALL incapable of the capacity to seek God, or desire the One true God by ourselves. We are spiritually “prisoners” to sin. {Read Luke 4:18}. We are “held captive” to do the will of the evil one {Read 2 Tim 2:26}. God says we are helpless, ungodly, sinners, enemies {Read Romans 5:6,8}. “…there is none righteous NOT even One…“There is NONE that seek God” {Read Romans 3:10 -11}. Irrespective of age, gender, nationality we are all, the Bible tells us, spiritually dead, defiled, deceived, blind, ungodly, unrighteous, without Christ, without hope, enmity with God, and the tragic of all deaths is to die in our sin {Read John 8:24}…and spend eternity in Hell. Religion cannot help. Education cannot help. Vain philosophies cannot help to cure the problem which is…
SIN.- The heart of every problem is a heart problem, it is sin! “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”– {Jeremiah 17:9}. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”– {Matthew 15:19-20}. Sin is wicked, lawlessness, deceptive, destructive, divisive, rebellious, loveless, graceless and dishonoring to God your Maker and it took God coming in the flesh in Christ to exhibit to us the amazing grace that He should die to pay for our sins, to satisfy the perfect righteousness which God requires for all, and this He did. He stood in your place, took your sin, that you may not die in your sin. You had, nor have nothing to appeal to God, in and of yourself! Scripture says your righteousness is “like filthy rags.” {Isaiah 64:6}. This is the word that spoke of a menstrual cloth. Imagine handing that up to God to appeal to something in you that is deserving of His mercy! No, it took grace. But grace is not an entity floating out there like a wayward bubble. Grace is God in action. Grace is a Person. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me…For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” – {John 1:14-17}
THE 7 EFFECTS OF THE SAVING GRACE OF GOD.
Indeed Titus 2:11-14 shows 7 EFFECTS of saving grace. Grace that saves, changes. The 7 effects are that the Grace of God “instructs, teaches, educates” the word was used of training a child.
- -Denying, saying no to ungodliness. 2- Saying no to worldly passions. You now have the power to do so. 3.- To live self controlled, sensibly. Exercising self control over self. Control yourself. Grace gives you the power to do so. 4.- Living upright, righteously, honorably- towards others. 5.- Living Godly- reverentially before God. 6.- Looking for the return of the Lord Jesus.7- Zealous for good works as a result of this saving grace that brings about change in an individual.
Grace is not “static” or un-influential, but Saving grace from God brings about progressive change so people SHOW FORTH the Grace of God!
“The grace that does not change my life will not save my soul.”- CH Spurgeon
“THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED…”
Lit. “The Saving Grace of God.” “Appeared,” which means to bring to light.
In the Greek, “has appeared,” stands emphatically at the beginning of the sentence, stressing the manifestation of Grace as a historical fact. It refers to the entirety of the Life of Jesus, His coming, living, death and resurrection. The verb “epephane” from where we get our word,”epiphany,” means,”to become visible, make an appearance,” and gives the idea of GRACE SUDDENLY BREAKING in on our spiritual moral darkness. In Acts 27:20 it is used of the Sun. Jesus broke in over the darkness of moral decay in this world and revealed God’s grace, personified in the Person of Jesus in His birth and atonement to manifest grace to us as! “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”-{John 1:14} HE..IS…AMAZING GRACE!
“This grace of God “has appeared”—it has broken forth like the light of the morning after a dark night.It has “appeared” both objectively and subjectively—in the Gospel and in our hearts, “when it pleased God . . . . to reveal His Son in me” (Gal 1:15, 16); “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts” (2Co 4:6).” – AW Pink.
“…BRINGING SALVATION TO ALL MEN.”
Salvation conveys the idea of RESCUE. Jesus came not for condemnation but to RESCUE those in danger. There is no greater danger than being dead in your sin and incompetent to do anything about it! Jesus came with salvation because “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God… and the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 3:23, 6.23). We need to be saved from God!-His wrath!{Romans 1:18}. Sin separates us from God.- (Isa. 59:1-2). We are “dead in transgressions and sins…”-{Eph 2:1-3}. Since we cannot save ourselves, “in the fullness of time GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON…” to RESCUE us, through His grace.
He sent Jesus to RESCUE us, ” You shall call His Name Jesus and He will save His people from their sins.” ( Matt. 1:21, Lk. 2:11). “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” -(Lk. 19:10). “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15).
Jesus came with purpose…to rescue sin sick souls, bound in sin. He who is grace came to extend grace, favor extended to those who are His enemies, vile, rebellious and through His grace grant them a new standing before God. Standing forever in Grace. Fully accepted based solely on the graciousness of God in Christ! -{Romans 5:2}.
“…BRINGING SALVATION TO ALL MEN.”
He burst forth with spiritual healing, to rescue those from danger – hope for the sin sick soul! He came to rescue those who could not save themselves who had no ability, nor desire to be rescued. Impotent spiritually. Jesus came competent to rescue and deliver! In the darkness of sin trapped multitudes, Jesus in the fullness of time descended to earth and in Him THE LIGHT of the Gospel shone forth, that in Him was deliverance from the bondage, guilt, penalty of sin. “I Am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE.” -{John 8:12.} God’s graciousness extended in His Son to rescue, deliver, save is the unmerited, kindness of God that has turned you to God in Christ. His Work, His initiative, His prerogative, His grace.
“…TO ALL MEN.”-
Paul had spoken in 2:1-10 of various types of individuals, older men, older women, younger women, younger men, slaves. No individual is excluded, no class, culture, gender, age excluded, but the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all types of people.” What glorious hope. What graciousness. What a Savior Jesus is!
GRACE IS DIVINE GENEROSITY.
GRACE IS DIVINE GENEROSITY; God gave His Son. The Son gave the Spirit.The Word was given. Divine generosity through the Lord Jesus. He gives. We receive His grace.
SALVATION IS “AMAZING GRACE.” ALL OF GOD OR IT IS NOT SAVING SALVATION AT ALL!
Grace is God in action. Himself, intimately bestowing upon Hell deserving people His mercy, love, kindness. It is undeserved, it cannot be bought. It cannot be earned, but it can be received. “For by GRACE you are saved through faith and that not of yourself it is the GIFT OF God…”- {Ephesians 2:8-9}.
John Newton having been a recipient of the saving grace of God wrote these words out of gratitude, awe and love. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.”
Near the end of his life he was still AMAZED BY THE GRACIOUSNESS OF GOD to him, when he wrote, from his last will and testament:
“I commit my soul to my gracious God and Savior, who mercifully spared and preserved me, when I was an apostate, a blasphemer, and an infidel, and delivered me from the state of misery on the coast of Africa into which my obstinate wickedness had plunged me; and who has been pleased to admit me (though most unworthy) to preach his glorious gospel.”
He was not only grateful for the grace of God that saved him, preserved him, but had gifted him the privilege to share of His grace to others. His was a life that was saved, being changed with new priorities, testifying of the proclamation of the God who is gracious!
THE SAVING GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED…JESUS CHRIST IS THE GRACE OF GOD IN SALVATION!