Titus 2:11,12

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hathappeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The Saving and training Grace of God. This is the message we heard in church this morning. Sermon by Bro Linus Chua taken from Titus 2:11-12

Grace that Saves! I am sure many of us who are given that precious gift of faith would forever treasure and rejoice over the power of such Grace that reaches us.

Grace that Train, oops, many some of us would still put up a foolish fight with this aspect of its power. Why do I say so? Let's look at what v12 tells us.

Bro Linus expounded that this same Grace that saves us also trains us in 2 main ways. Negatively, it teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust; positively, it teach us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. In another word, this Grace santifies us through the Word of God.

There you see, which child of God do not foolishly fight that process of santification when they are young in faith? Even when they are more mature, though they are more malleable, santification would still be a process that carries some degree of struggle. Denying ungodliness include change the hard core habits of laziness, procrastination, being selfish, uncommitted to due resposibilities....etc, etc. Denying worldly lusts, oh that secret craving for being the better than others if not the best, having whole cabinate full of personal items and still rush to every sales of the town, ears perk up for that one more pharse of praise over the beef stew you have cooked..... the list qualify for denying touches so close to hearts, who would not fight! Living soberly, that is: being strict to ourselves and take control over our thoughts, affections and desires. Living righteously: ready to forgive and be prompt when help is needed from us, this calls for having right relationship with others. Godly living, this is most difficult for the eyes of God is ever with us. Who would not put up a fight to live with such requirements as we are sinner in our cores?

Thanks be to God, the Grace that so powerfully saves also would train powerfully! Yes, like what the preacher said this training would calls for conscious and deliberate effort on our part to be the subject of santification. Paul had also told the Philippian that they should "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philp 2:12). Nevertheless we can have the resource of power to this trainging Grace of God as "it is God whick worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philp 2:13). David in Psalm 16:5 broke into praise: the LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Amazing isn't it? Salvation by Grace, justification by Grace, santification too is by Grace! Praise be to God! We are otherwise undone because we will ever fight! With the abounding power of Grace, we will fight less and yield more to the training.

We need to grow in our faith, God shall supply all our needs for that growth through this training Grace.