Titus 2:11-15 contains a remarkable summary of Christianity, not exactly of its dogmas, but as a practical reality for men. Grace has appeared. It has appeared, not limited to a particular people, but to all men; not charged with temporal promises and blessings, but bringing salvation. It comes from God to men with salvation. It does not expect righteousness from men; it brings salvation to those that need it. Precious and simple truth, which makes us know God, which puts us in our place according to the grace which has overcome every barrier in order to address itself, in the sovereign goodness of God, to every man on the earth!
Having brought this salvation, grace instructs us perfectly with regard to our walk in this world in relation to ourselves and to other men and to God. Renouncing all ungodliness, and all lusts that find their gratification in this world, we are to bridle the will of the flesh in every respect and to live soberly; we are to acknowledge the claims of others and to live righteously; we are to own the rights of God over our hearts and to exercise godliness.
But our future also is enlightened by grace. It teaches us to wait for the "blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ" (JND trans.).
Grace has appeared. It teaches us how to walk here below and to expect the appearing of the glory in the Person of Jesus Christ Himself. And our hope is well founded. Christ is justly precious to us. We can have full confidence of heart in thinking of His appearing in glory, as well as the most powerful motive for a life devoted to His glory. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify for Himself a people who should belong to Him as His own possession and who should be zealous_according to His will and His nature_ of good works.
This is what Christianity is. It has provided for all_the past, the present, and the future, according to God. It delivers us from this world, making of us a people set apart for Christ Himself, according to the love in which He gave Himself for us. It is purification, but a purification which consecrates us to Christ. We belong to Him as His peculiar portion, His possession in the world, animated with the love that is in Him, in order to do good to others and bear testimony to His grace. This is a precious testimony to that which Christianity is, in its practical reality, as the work of the grace of God.
With respect to the conduct of Christians toward the world, grace has banished violence and the spirit of rebellion and resistance which agitates the heart of those who believe not, and which has its source in the self-will that strives to maintain its own rights relative to others.
The Christian has his portion, his inheritance, elsewhere; he is tranquil and submissive here and ready to do good. Even when others are violent and unjust toward him, he remembers that once he was the same himself. This is a difficult lesson, for violence and injustice stir up the heart; but the thought that it is sin, and that we also were formerly its slaves, produces patience and piety. Grace alone has made the difference, and according to that grace are we to act toward others.