The Amazing Grace of God

He purchased us to purify or "cleanse" us! His grace takes us out of the pigpen; it does not help us enjoy the pigpen. Sin makes us guilty and dirty. Grace makes us innocent and clean. This is the promise of the new covenant: "I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols" (Ezek 36:25). Jesus cleanses and purifies us by virtue of His vicarious and substitutionary death.

He purchased us, to purify us, to possess us, literally "for Himself a people for His own a possession." Drawing from the imagery of Exodus 19:5, Peter makes this same point:

What security is ours! Once we were Satan's, now we are the Son's. Once we were sin's, now we are the Savior's. Once we were foreigners, now we are family. Now I belong to Jesus:

Jesus my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no power of evil can sever.

He gave His life to ransom my soul,

Now I belong to Him.

Now I belong to Jesus.

Jesus belongs to me.

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.29284

As those who are His, we have a holy passion: "eager to do good works." Unlike the Cretans who were disqualified or unfit for any good work (1:16), we have a consuming desire to honor our great God and Savior for His glorious work of redemption. Our works are the natural response to His work. Zeal for Him becomes our daily desire, having been prepared by Him for this kind of life. Grace teaches us who is Lord. Grace empowers us to serve Him as Lord.

God's Grace Teaches Us What We Should Learn

Titus 2:15

Verse 15 concludes chapter 2 and opens the door for chapter 3. John MacArthur says verse 15 "is one of the clearest and strongest statements in Scripture about the spiritual authority of men whom God calls to minister His Word and shepherd His people" (Titus, 125). Beginning with the verb "speak" or "say," Paul follows up in rapid-fire succession with three more imperatives of command: "encourage... rebuke... let no one disregard." The man of God could speak in this way "with all authority" because of His authority: the great God and Savior Jesus Christ. From what Titus was to teach we can see what we should learn.

The command given is continually to "say" or "speak" these things. "These things" certainly refers to 2:11-14, but it is likely that it refers to the entire letter, a letter filled with "sound teaching" (1:9; 2:1). Believers must know what they believe about the person and work of Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, and the future.

Four of the fourteen imperatives in Titus are in this verse. "Encourage" addresses our duty before God and men. Paul encourages; he comes alongside to challenge us in the way we should live as we look for "the blessed hope" (2:13).285

If "encourage" speaks to us about the way we should go, "rebuke" (1:13) admonishes us concerning the way we should not go. "Encourage" has as its primary audience the faithful. "Rebuke" has as its primary audience the unfaithful. When we confront and correct, we do so with all authority. We do not compromise or kowtow. We do not dialogue or debate. Discerning both the error and the danger in our midst, we shepherd our sheep, we protect our sheep, with a firm and steady hand.

Speaking the truth will not always be popular, but it will always be necessary. It will require courage, conviction, and "Christ-confidence." This will enable you to stand humbly tall, refusing to be intimidated by naysayers and opponents. You will not let anyone "disregard," despise, look down on you, for you are looking upward and heavenward for your orders from your great God and Savior.

Conclusion

This passage shows us that the grace of God is the foundation for godly living in the here and now. It is rooted in Christ's past work on the cross and the promise of His future return. Martin Luther summarized how we ought to live in light of this passage. He said, "I live as though Christ died yesterday, rose again today, and is coming again tomorrow."30 Our present pursuit of godliness is sandwiched in between the death and resurrection of Christ and His second coming—the grace of His first coming and the glory of His return. Our hearts should well up with praise in response to the grace of God. It truly is amazing grace. Consider the words of this old hymn and respond in praise to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin;

How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall my praise begin?

Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free,

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.286

Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled.

By its transforming power Making him God's dear child.

Purchasing peace and heaven For all eternity—

And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.31287

The amazing grace of God! I am so glad it reaches me! Aren't you glad it reaches you?