Divine Grace and Human Behavior

Today the message is entitled “Divine Grace and Human Behavior”
We have been looking at Paul’s letter to Titus this month. The last two weeks we discovered who Titus was, the characteristics of “Elders,” and the truths we are to teach each other. Today, we will consider the divine grace of Jesus Christ and the human behavior that Jesus’s grace gives us.

We start by looking at the last part of Titus 2:

Titus 2: 11-15 NIV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

In the Bible Knowledge Series book, “1,2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon,” we find these thoughts.
Key verses are 11 and 12.
The Bible truth: Salvation, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, is the basis for a Christian life and good works.
Lesson: That you may fully recognize that true salvation includes a present responsibility to turn from sin and worldliness to God and righteousness.

Ephesians 2: 8-10NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Bible Knowledge Series states: “One cannot be a true follower of Jesus Christ simply by believing the right things; one’s behavior must mirror one’s beliefs. Nor can one truly be a disciple simply by meritorious actions; these are of no value unless one has first found salvation through repentance and faith. Theology and ethics go hand in hand throughout Scripture, and nowhere more obviously so than in the letter to Titus.”

2 Thessalonians 1: 6-10 NIV
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power
10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Heavy words that many people dislike. God loves all people and wants them all to be with Him eternally. The alternative for those who do not want to believe in the Gospel and God’s love, is eternity outside of God’s presence.
When we chose to follow Jesus, we chose to be like Him and therefore our lives – actions and words – will show Jesus’s character.

The last chapter of Titus

Titus 3: 1-15 NIV
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

What we were is not what we are now. As Christians, we know that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit in us, makes us who we are today. Our lives shall show God at work in us.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

John 14: 26 NIV
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 NIV
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

J. Sidlow Baxter, in his book “Explore the Book,” states: How noticeable it is, all through these epistles, that Christian doctrine comes to us linked with the highest ideals of conduct. High doctrine with low conduct is intolerable to New Testament Christianity…Somehow, as we ponder this short but weighty note to Titus, we have an uneasy feeling that all too many of us modern Christians live far below its simply worded but searchable standards.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Paul did not think spending time arguing about the old issues was in any way profitable for Godly people. Jesus did not spend time debating the old law-based faith. He focused on people’s lives present and future.

Finally, Paul ends his letter to Titus with some house keeping duties and the encouragement to keep going as he had been taught. He ends the letter with the origin of our faith – the grace of Christ.

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.
14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.

We have finished this letter from Paul to Titus.

Living Today Adult Bible Study Magazine sums it up well: “He never preached salvation by good works, but he always preached that salvation results in good works.” Pg. 42

The message title today, “Divine Grace and Human Behavior,” sums it up as well. I like to think that without divine grace, human behavior would self-destruct.

Take the character and grace of God to the world, this is what Jesus did!

Let’s pray!