The Teaching of Grace

Over the years I have encountered more than my share of people who clearly misunderstand the doctrines of Grace. It seems overly simple, but yet fair, to place those who misunderstand in one of two categories. There is one view that sees grace as their own personal license to live wickedly. The other concludes that the doctrines of grace must be wrong precisely because of those people who have found, in their own minds, a permission to live wrecklessly. Both groups have obviously failed to grasp the truth of divine sovereign grace.

Paul writes to Titus in 2:11-12 "For the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present age;"

The life that is lived for self and wicked pleasure is contradictory to the teaching of grace. It is not law or legalism that calls for holiness it is grace. That reality takes us is two directions. First, we dare not carelessly toss the label "legalism" upon those exhortatons to live a life of surrender. Second, we must not employ anything other than grace to teach godly living.

I find it of interest that the idea of verse 12 is that of an ongoing teaching or training by grace. It is not a once in a lifetime thing but rather a persistent, habitual reality. I am reminded of John 3:21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the ligth, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." My personal paraphrase of that verse is "The one who is characterized as being a truth doer keeps on coming to the light to examine the character and source of his actions."

Grace teaches the child of God to be a truth doer. Grace teaches through the Word of God. May we strive to be receptive students as we live under the continual instruction of the grace f God.