Subtopic: “How Shall I Live In This World”
Text: Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (vs12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (vs13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (vs14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people , zealous of good works.”
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.21, Pages33-34;a comment on Titus 2:11-13 II. THE EFFECTS OF THE GRACE OF GOD. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” This grace first manifests itself by teaching, just as the first thing in creation was light. It must begin with teaching, and the Spirit of God is given “to teach all things”(St. John 14:26). The original word implies the idea of a disciplining process, effected by the grace of God to correct the inherent naughtiness of the heart. 2. The grace of God works toward the rejection of evil, for it teaches us “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” (1) The denial is in the heart and deed. It involves the denial of self (St. Luke 9:23). (2) It is the rejection of ungodliness in heart and life. (a) Ungodliness includes lack of reverence for God, blasphemy, and lack of religious faith. (b) It includes all living without all that are living without having a true relationship with God regardless whether they are blasphemers or not. Thus a man can be considered ungodly who seeks only for his own pleasure, distinction, or happiness in the world. (c) Ungodliness implies the deeper enmity of the heart to God (Rom.8:7) (3) It is the denial of worldly lusts; including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and vain glory of life--- “all that is in the world”--- which embody the enmity to God. Thus it denies (a) sensual lusts (2 Tim.2:22); (b) the inordinate desire of worldly things which may be lawful within themselves. 3. The Grace Of god Produces Positive Effects. “We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (1) It secures the due regulation of individual life. “Soberly” This refers to the duties we owe ourselves. (a) In keeping a fair balance of judgment intellectually; (b) in keeping a due mastery over our passions---“a sobriety in speech, in behavior, in apparel, in eating, and drinking, in recreations, and in the enjoyment of lawful satisfactions.” (2) It secures the faithful discharge of all duties to our fellow-men. “Righteously” Justice is an exact virtue , which can be easily measured, and is therefore the basis of commercial and civil life. A single failure in justice makes a man unjust. Therefore it is most necessary we should give our neighbor his due, and not compromise ourselves by conduct which would bring injury to the gospel.
(3) It secures godliness. “Godly” that is, with God, in God, for God. This godly life is a dedication to God and spent in his fear.
Text: Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (vs12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (vs13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (vs14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people , zealous of good works.”
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.21, Pages33-34;a comment on Titus 2:11-13 II. THE EFFECTS OF THE GRACE OF GOD. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” This grace first manifests itself by teaching, just as the first thing in creation was light. It must begin with teaching, and the Spirit of God is given “to teach all things”(St. John 14:26). The original word implies the idea of a disciplining process, effected by the grace of God to correct the inherent naughtiness of the heart. 2. The grace of God works toward the rejection of evil, for it teaches us “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” (1) The denial is in the heart and deed. It involves the denial of self (St. Luke 9:23). (2) It is the rejection of ungodliness in heart and life. (a) Ungodliness includes lack of reverence for God, blasphemy, and lack of religious faith. (b) It includes all living without all that are living without having a true relationship with God regardless whether they are blasphemers or not. Thus a man can be considered ungodly who seeks only for his own pleasure, distinction, or happiness in the world. (c) Ungodliness implies the deeper enmity of the heart to God (Rom.8:7) (3) It is the denial of worldly lusts; including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and vain glory of life--- “all that is in the world”--- which embody the enmity to God. Thus it denies (a) sensual lusts (2 Tim.2:22); (b) the inordinate desire of worldly things which may be lawful within themselves. 3. The Grace Of god Produces Positive Effects. “We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (1) It secures the due regulation of individual life. “Soberly” This refers to the duties we owe ourselves. (a) In keeping a fair balance of judgment intellectually; (b) in keeping a due mastery over our passions---“a sobriety in speech, in behavior, in apparel, in eating, and drinking, in recreations, and in the enjoyment of lawful satisfactions.” (2) It secures the faithful discharge of all duties to our fellow-men. “Righteously” Justice is an exact virtue , which can be easily measured, and is therefore the basis of commercial and civil life. A single failure in justice makes a man unjust. Therefore it is most necessary we should give our neighbor his due, and not compromise ourselves by conduct which would bring injury to the gospel.
(3) It secures godliness. “Godly” that is, with God, in God, for God. This godly life is a dedication to God and spent in his fear.
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