The grace of God does a lot more than change our eternal destination!

Scripture Read: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Application: Notice the work the grace of God accomplishes. So many times we only think in the realm of the grace of God moving us from Hell to Heaven – which is on it’s own incredible – but His grace does so much more – Notice it

Trains: παιδεύω paideúō;  Originally to bring up a child, to educate, used of activity directed toward the moral and spiritual nurture and training of the child, to influence conscious will and action.

We begin spiritually as children and God’s grace becomes our teacher to bring us to maturity – His grace is manifested in many ways, The fruit of Holy Spirit, Trials, suffering, blessing etc. That grace leads us to

Reject: ἀρνέομαι arnéomai; To deny, refuse - to reject, retract, disown 

God’s grace will lead us to reject that which is opposite of Him – This is a great truth and the idea of disowning is really powerful. We need to disown that which belongs to the enemy – for we now are owned by God! As we reject what is wrong we will begin

To Live: ζάω záō To live in any way, to pass one’s life in any manner  (Luke 2:36; 15:13; Acts 26:5; Rom. 7:9; Gal. 2:14; 2 Tim. 3:12;). To live unto God (Luke 20:38; Rom. 6:10, 11; Gal. 2:19) means to be devoted to Him, to live conformably to the will, purpose, precepts, and example of God

Our regular way of life – “our walk” – as we mature this will become the norm of our existence, not something we put on now and then when we attend church. That life will have many positive characteristics – but the one that really gets my attention is –

Upright: δικαίως dikaíōs - just. Justly, conformable to justice (1 Pet. 2:23; Sept.: Deut. 1:16; Prov. 31:9); honestly, without injuring anyone (1 Thess. 2:10; Titus 2:12); deservedly (Luke 23:41); as it is fit, proper, right (1 Cor. 15:34). ^[1]

Upright: How appropriate in this day and age of reality TV, Youtube fights, Jerry Springer and all the talking heads on every side of the political life that this word carries with it the thought of “without injuring anyone” That truly is the work of the grace of God. When we show that grace we will do no injury. If people reject that grace they injure themselves but we have not. The truth is the truth! Our message is grace – what the person does with it is up to them. However, our method should also be grace – not intimidation, arrogance or judgment. When we communicate the grace of God in grace – we leave it up to the individual whether they want to be injured or not. Father grant us Your grace – in our lives and our words!

* Meditation Questions: What changes in the way you think toward others have you noticed since you began your relationship with Him? Do you find your Christian character to be only moments in your life or the norm? What does that say?

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Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.