Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Titus 2:9-15.

 

“⁹ Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

 

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

 

¹⁵ These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”  Titus 2:9-15.

                           

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Notice what the grace of God does.  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope…”  Verses 11, 12, and 13. 

                   

First, we first note that the grace of God brings salvation to all of His elect.  This is not a “common grace”.  From Scripture, we clearly know that God does not bring salvation to literally every human being that ever lived.  The term “all men” here refers to all of God’s elect.  Although God does give good gifts, such as sunshine and rain to sprout food, to all men (Elect and non-elect), God does not give the good gifts with a grace or favor to the non-elect.  God only gives grace to His elect, and God not only gives earthly good gifts with a grace or favor to His elect, God most importantly brings eternal salvation to all of His elect through His irresistible grace.  For more on “common grace”, here is a link – Click here: Pamphlets and Articles

                          

Second, we note that the grace of God instructs us on how to live.  This is also part of irresistible grace.  Therefore, we do not need to cower as we have cowered in front of the Law.  “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:5-6.  “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.   I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comesthrough the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:20-21. 

                         

Third, God’s irresistible grace gives us hope.  And, this hope is not only the hope of eternal life, this hope is that God’s irresistible grace causes us to live “sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (verse 11), that God makes us “zealous for good deeds” (verse 14), and that God comforts, strengthens, and leads us into “every good work and word” (see following Scripture).  

 

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.