“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” Titus 2:11 ESV
Reflection: what is God’s grace teaching you?
We soon will be celebrating Christmas again. And, with that, lots of presents are being exchanged. Not sure about you, but I really enjoy giving gifts to others, especially unexpected gifts. Giving something that I have been thinking about and planning for a while, then waiting to give. To then see the joy in the person receiving the gift when they finally unwrap it can be very satisfying.
Gift giving at Christmas is a reflection of the gift that came to us, God’s gift of salvation “for all people”, as Paul wrote. Paul’s phrase reminds us of what the angels declared at the birth of Jesus Christ “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 ESV. The light had come into the world. “And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.””Matthew 4:13-16 ESV. So, what exactly did this light mean, what was the purpose of it? If we read on from Matthew, Jesus said
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” Matthew 4:17 ESV
Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus taught “repentance” as His first message? It wasn’t a message of “God is love”, as we often hear today. No, it was a message to the people to turn their lives around, turn away from darkness and evil deeds. Why? Isn’t salvation a free gift, you might say? Wasn’t the work Jesus did enough? Notice the second part of Jesus message, which covers the purpose of repentance. He says, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, meaning it is close. It is accessible to us. The gift of salvation allows us to enter the kingdom, but we need to repent, to turn away from sin and evil, to instead walk in the light. In our focus verse today, we learn about the first part, that God’s grace of salvation is available for all people. But again, that’s where it starts; not where it ends.
Salvation is almost like the “entry door” to the kingdom of heaven.
Let’s read on how Paul continues, reminding Titus of how to instruct the early followers of Christ in Crete. “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.” Titus 2:11-14 ESV.
Paul says that it is God’s grace of salvation teaches us to repent and live a godly life. In other words, the response to understanding the free gift of salvation, of forgiveness, drives us towards God, away from ungodliness in ourselves and in the world. To live a life in the kingdom of heaven; spiritually speaking. To walk with God. Not in the future, but now. And, from that perspective, we can clearly understand that, if we seek to “walk in the world”, if we seek the things “here”, we cannot walk with God. Jesus therefore said “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Luke 12:31 ESV
We have been given a gift, the grace of salvation, that we don’t deserve, that we cannot earn. It is God’s grace, the gift of entry into the kingdom of heaven. Let the gift of God’s grace towards us teach us, to Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” Matthew 4:17b ESV. Let God’s grace teach us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us, as James put it.
