Grace of God Appearing to All Titus 2:11 - Equipped for Battle

Aged men, aged women, young men, young women, and servants have all been included in Paul the apostle's instruction to Titus. Titus was to teach them sound doctrine because their very lives would be examples before unbelievers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the glory of the gospel. It does not matter to which particular group we belong, the gospel is available to everyone. Paul emphasizes this teaching in today's verse found in chapter two and verse eleven where he wrote:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Paul begins this verse with the word “For”. It implies a reason or cause for something previously said, so we must refer to the previous verses to understand the purpose of this conclusion. Each of the groups to which Paul has made reference are included in the reason for the following phrase: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,”.

Let's notice first, “The grace of God”. This phrase implies the availability to everyone for a relationship with God. It is God's “unmerited favor” or “grace” that the gospel is based upon. We cannot earn God's favor and no amount of works or efforts upon our part would ever be enough to pay the price that Jesus paid for our sin on the cross.

Paul says, It is God's grace that “brings salvation”. This salvation from God is not only for now but also for our future. By receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we enter into a relationship with God which provides salvation today, and this relationship God will bring us to the day when before His throne we are saved forever. It is God's work, and we are only those who receive what He has already provided.

Next Paul names those to whom this salvation by grace is available: “appeared to all men.” The idea is that God's salvation has become visible, clearly known, and enlightened for everyone who will to see it. Salvation from God is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and now throughout the world people are being made aware of this wonderful gift from God. There are certainly some in the world who have not heard of this salvation yet, but as we progress through time more and more are coming to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

So what should this verse teach us? That our lives are being watched by the world, and whether we are young or old, servants or bosses, men or women, Christians are being judged by people. We must live our lives in such a manner as to not bring reproach upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. God desires that all people be saved, and His marvelous grace is the agent by which is salvation appears to all men. We have the privilege of participating in the spreading of the gospel by our actions, and may the Lord Himself help us to be all He desires us to be.

Next time we will continue our study of why our behavior is so important in the world, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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