Scripture
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 2:11-15 ESV
Titus 2:11-15 ESV
Gospel Reflection
We were adrift on a stormy sea in a pitch-black night. Waves crashing on the rocky shore. Wind howling. We were lost.
Then the light appeared, guiding us to safe passage.
Jesus pierced the darkness.
In Titus 2, Paul tells us that God’s grace stepped into history to save us.
Salvation came down to us through Jesus Christ. Grace appeared in flesh and blood. Sin and death were defeated by His life, death and resurrection. We now stand rescued, forgiven and claimed.
Paul says this same grace does more than rescue. It trains.
Like a parent shaping a child, grace is our teacher, instructing us to say “no” -- not because pleasure is evil, but because our hearts were made for something greater. We fast, not to reject food, but to learn to hunger for God.
Grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness, to live self-controlled, godly lives, to be eager to do good works. We aren’t anchored passively waiting for rescue, we are navigating and responding to the light we’ve been given “in this present age.”
Temptations are real. Distractions are real. Suffering is real.
But Jesus’ grace teaches us to say “no” to what shrinks our souls and “yes” to what reflects God’s character. This is transformation. We aren’t trying to earn salvation; we are learning to live inside it.
Until the Son appears.
That’s what we are waiting for – “the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
That same Jesus who came to redeem us will appear in glory.
Until that day we are being formed into “a people of His very own, eager to do what is good.”
Notice that phrase: “His very own.” Holiness is not about impressing God. It is about belonging to Him. When we know Who we belong to and the price He has paid for us, obedience becomes love in action.
Grace doesn’t produce apathy. It produces passion. When we understand the cost of our redemption, our hearts become eager to live for Him.
And one day there will be sunrise. Christ’s glory will flood everything with light. No more shadows. No more storms. Sin’s presence will be removed, and our faith will become sight.
Until then we live between the first light and the sunrise.
We rest in saving grace.
We yield to shaping grace.
We hope in coming grace.
Then the light appeared, guiding us to safe passage.
Jesus pierced the darkness.
In Titus 2, Paul tells us that God’s grace stepped into history to save us.
Salvation came down to us through Jesus Christ. Grace appeared in flesh and blood. Sin and death were defeated by His life, death and resurrection. We now stand rescued, forgiven and claimed.
Paul says this same grace does more than rescue. It trains.
Like a parent shaping a child, grace is our teacher, instructing us to say “no” -- not because pleasure is evil, but because our hearts were made for something greater. We fast, not to reject food, but to learn to hunger for God.
Grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness, to live self-controlled, godly lives, to be eager to do good works. We aren’t anchored passively waiting for rescue, we are navigating and responding to the light we’ve been given “in this present age.”
Temptations are real. Distractions are real. Suffering is real.
But Jesus’ grace teaches us to say “no” to what shrinks our souls and “yes” to what reflects God’s character. This is transformation. We aren’t trying to earn salvation; we are learning to live inside it.
Until the Son appears.
That’s what we are waiting for – “the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
That same Jesus who came to redeem us will appear in glory.
Until that day we are being formed into “a people of His very own, eager to do what is good.”
Notice that phrase: “His very own.” Holiness is not about impressing God. It is about belonging to Him. When we know Who we belong to and the price He has paid for us, obedience becomes love in action.
Grace doesn’t produce apathy. It produces passion. When we understand the cost of our redemption, our hearts become eager to live for Him.
And one day there will be sunrise. Christ’s glory will flood everything with light. No more shadows. No more storms. Sin’s presence will be removed, and our faith will become sight.
Until then we live between the first light and the sunrise.
We rest in saving grace.
We yield to shaping grace.
We hope in coming grace.
Practice of the week
A Practice to Love God: Practice Scripture before screen, each day. Every day, make an effort to open the Bible before unlocking your phone. Observe how this affects the rest of your day.
A Practice to Love Neighbor:
Each day for one hour, turn your phone completely off and practice silence and solitude.
- Practicing this is intended to bring Scripture into your daily routine and your phone out of your morning routine, how might this rearrange your day practicing this?
A Practice to Love Neighbor:
Each day for one hour, turn your phone completely off and practice silence and solitude.
- We were made for presence, let our phones not be the cause of our absence.
- When you turn your phone off how do you feel?
- Have you ever thought about how loving God and others depends on being present to God and present with others? How do you see phone usage affecting your presence with others?
Community Prompt
- Share with someone where you are renouncing ungodliness in your life, and where grace is actively training you.
- Ask: “What good works might God be redeeming us for right now, as a group/family/individually?”
- What is one thing grace is training you to say no to and one good work grace is inviting you to say yes to this week?
Prayer
To learn more about prayer, click here.
Father, we praise you that your grace appeared in Jesus Christ, rescuing us from the storm and calling us your very own. Thank you that this same grace not only saves us but trains us, teaching us to say no to what shrinks our souls and yes to what reflects your character. In this present age of distraction and temptation, form in us self-control, eagerness for good works, and a deeper hunger for you. Help us live between the first light and the coming sunrise, anchored in our blessed hope of Christ’s appearing. Until that day, let saving grace steady us, shaping grace refine us, and coming grace fill us with joy.
Amen.
Father, we praise you that your grace appeared in Jesus Christ, rescuing us from the storm and calling us your very own. Thank you that this same grace not only saves us but trains us, teaching us to say no to what shrinks our souls and yes to what reflects your character. In this present age of distraction and temptation, form in us self-control, eagerness for good works, and a deeper hunger for you. Help us live between the first light and the coming sunrise, anchored in our blessed hope of Christ’s appearing. Until that day, let saving grace steady us, shaping grace refine us, and coming grace fill us with joy.
Amen.