God's Amazing Grace is My Teacher? Yes!

Thinking of God's grace, I first go to undeserved forgiveness.

Isn't that what the beloved, well known song is talking about? How God's amazing grace saved a wretch like me?

But I came across this scripture in Titus, and reread it two or three times.

"Grace" brings salvation alright, but the disciple goes on. And I'd never seen God's grace as a teacher before. (I love how God does that, brings new light with a scripture you've read a hundred times.) Grace teaches us to deny all ungodliness and the lusts of the world (I do not believe that includes chocolate—consumed in moderation, of course) and how we should live in this present world.

“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 KJV

I like that it says 'present' world, because that stretches the Truth across the centuries and millennials “thru time” all the way to present. In other words, it's talking about today! With all that's going on in our country, in the world, grace teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly!

To live soberly, we must exercise self-control which is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In my mind, this means doing everything in moderation, not speaking out before thinking about what I’m going to say (maybe the hardest for me), and maintaining a level head or not blowing up when angered.  

To live righteously, it is required to obey. Obedience has been an easier thing for me, especially once I figured out that it is by my obeying God’s Will that I show my love for Him. “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” is what Yeshua said in John 14:15.

And to live godly may be the most difficult. To me, this means I need to be like God, act like Him, respond in every situation as He would. I’ve often said my husband is the most godly man I’ve ever known. He continually implements the ways of Christ in his daily life, while I often fall so short.

But I praise the Lord! Because Father Himself has promised to make me into the image of Christ Jesus . . . “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6  I believe this good work of making me look exactly like His Holy Son started at salvation and won’t stop until He comes again!

So it isn’t by anything that “I” do after all. The Holy Spirit is working His fruits in me as I surrender to His will and exercise in them to grow strength in each area. He helps me to know what to do to obey—to please God—by revealing His Word and its Truth. I dive into His grace, immersing myself. Grateful that it teaches me—like Holy Spirit—to live a proper, God-pleasing life in this present world!

Can you add some thoughts on living soberly, righteously, and godly?