Many people believe God's grace functions like an umbrella to unconditionally cover all of man's misdeeds. Though grace is often defined, "unearned and unmerited favor" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament © 1992 by AMG Intema1ional, Inc. Revised Edition, 1993), the Apostle Paul taught that grace demands something of us. "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world." (Titus 2:11-12)
God's grace does indeed bring salvation. God's unearned kindness toward man provided for him a sacrifice for sins that man could never provide for himself. We are reminded that Jesus suffered death, crowned with glory and honor, that by the "grace of God He should taste of death for every (man)." (Hebrews 2:9) Yes, man is saved by "grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8-9), but "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Therefore, it must follow that the grace that saves is connected to hearing God's word, for it is faith that provides access to God's grace (cf. Romans 5:1-2). Paul spoke of the "word of His grace" (Acts 20:32) and the "gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).
The statements, "The Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace ..." and "...justification is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ..." (The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, by Edward T. Hiscox, D.D., p. 61, 62) are contradictory and false!
The statement, "Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort" (The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1918, p. 5) is also false. Neither grace only nor faith only provides salvation. Furthermore, grace does not save those who hear only, but those who are doers of the word (James 1:21-25). This is how we are saved by grace through faith. Hearing the "word of His grace," we believe it; thus, we are saved by grace through faith when we obey it. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The grace that saves through faith does not nullify all works. It is effective as faith works, for a dead faith will not save. James said, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only ... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:24-26 KJV)
The grace of God that saves TEACHES (Titus 2:11)--educates, instructs, and trains us to refuse to involve ourselves in the evil practices of this life, and to live above reproach in this present world (cf. 1 Timothy 2:4). A lawless, immoral life is contrary to God's grace (cf. 1 Timothy 1:8-11). We can not hope for the promise of God beyond this life if we pursue a lifestyle that is contrary to the "sound doctrine" taught in the "word of His grace."
God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness. Ungodliness is disregard for, lack of reverence for, or defiance toward God. Rejection of ungodliness implies a deliberate choice to renounce all worldly passions. No one sleeps his way into heaven. Ungodliness is progressive (2 Timothy 2:16); those who expect to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" must deny ALL ungodliness entrance into their hearts and lives.
God's grace teaches us to deny worldly lusts. Worldly lusts include many things--lust for unholy riches (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6ff; Matthew 6:19ff, etc.), sinful pleasures (cf. Hebrews 11:24ff), and all kinds of wickedness (Titus 3:3). We must exclude from our lives any place for these desires and practices.
Grace that saves also teaches us how to live. Having told us to deny ourselves everything that falls under the terms, "ungodliness" and "worldly lusts" (Colossians 3:9; Galatians 5:24), Paul commanded, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) Once our lives are cleansed from evil works, we must fill them with "good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
By the grace of God, we are taught to live soberly. In Titus 2:12, the word sophronos is an adverb that indicates self-restraint; it is akin to the verb form in Titus 2:6 and is translated "sober-minded." It means to possess control over one's mind, desires, passions, and appetites so that he does not allow himself to become subject to the worldly lusts from which he is to restrain himself. Simply put, by God's grace we are taught how to think, "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5; cf. Philippians 4:8) This includes self-restraint; moderation; and the sober control of our mental, physical, and emotional faculties.
God's grace teaches us to live righteously. The word dikaios means "doing justly" and "the right conduct; of what is right; by the right standard." Therefore, we are to do right and engage in just actions conducted without prejudice or partiality. The word righteousness is used to describe God's character and work (Psalm 50:6). It is used to describe Christ's work and death (Romans 5:18). It is also used to describe the revelation of God's word (Psalm 119:172). More importantly to our study, it is used to describe those individuals who understand, believe, and do God's will (Psalm 23). To the household of Cornelius, Peter said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to Him." (Acts 10:35) How do we know what righteousness is? The standard is God's word. "My tongue shall speak of Thy word: for all Thy commandments are righteousness." (Psalm 119:172) How does one "work righteousness?" "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that DOETH righteousness is righteous, even as He (Christ) is righteous." (1 John 3:7) When men create their own systems of right, they are not submitting to God's righteousness (cf. Romans 10:1ff; Titus 3:5).
God's grace also teaches us to live godly lives. The original word used here, eusebos, signifies a devout, pious manner of living. This is prompted by an attitude of piety toward God that seeks to please Him. It embraces the Godly fear and reverence that must characterize both our attitudes and conduct. "By faith Noah, being warned (of God) concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." (Hebrews 11:7)
We cannot serve God unless we willfully abandon ungodliness and worldly lusts. To live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, we must indeed be taught. "Grace came teaching" us how to live. Our hope of eternal life rests on God's conditional promise that if we work His righteousness, He will accept us (cf. Acts 10:34-35). It appears that this free ride, which so many in the religious world equate with God's grace, requires us to do something to meet the conditions established by the one with whom it originates. It doesn't exactly sound like God's grace is an unconditional umbrella to cover disobedience, does it?
Grace is a subject that is greatly misunderstood by many of our religious neighbors. Sadly, they have concluded that the Lord's church does not believe in God's grace. Of course, this is nothing more than a misrepresentation of what both the Bible and the church teach. We believe the Bible powerfully teaches that no one can be saved without God's grace. Yet, it does not say that God's grace alone saves us; it must be accompanied by our obedience. (KMG)