SALVATION

For the GRACE of God that brings SALVATION has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age – Titus 2:11-12

The Bible in Titus 2:11, 12 reveals two great truths concerning GRACE:

First, GRACE brings a free, but priceless blessing called SALVATION. This infers: deliverance or preservation from danger, disaster, harm, loss or ruin. Theologically, salvation is defined as deliverance or redemption from sin and its consequences, through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, confirmed: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” – but the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:10-12). God didn’t programme salvation to be a product of human efforts, personal struggles or self-righteousness. He ordained for Salvation to come by Grace through Faith in the Name of Jesus: “For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph.2:8). Salvation is God’s Gift – meaning that it comes by Grace!

Second, the Grace of God has appeared to all – Grace is not the exclusive reserve of any set of human beings! God is never partial concerning Grace. John the Baptist testified to this truth: “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk.3:6). Paul and Barnabas also testified to this truth concerning the universality of the grace that brings salvation: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you to be a Light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Paul proclaimed further: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom.1:16). Hebrews 5:9 says, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal Salvation to ALL who obey Him.” Grace does not discriminate!

These truths imply that no person would have an excuse before God not to have received the free gift of salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to save all human beings, irrespective of class, creed, or color: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim.2:4). God is “our Savior”; it is in His nature to save. He does so by bringing people into “the knowledge of the truth.” As it is written: “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jh.8:32). It is not just the truth, but the “knowledge of the truth” that sets free, liberates, delivers, and saves. What is the role of Grace in this: Grace teaches us the truth: “TEACHING us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit.2:12).

The Lord Jesus Christ was “raised up a horn of Salvation”; He manifested “to give Knowledge of Salvation to His people by the remission of their sins” (Lk.1:69; 77). The pertinent question is: Why then are some people saved and others are not? The answer is simple: not everyone is prepared to receive the gift of Salvation that Grace freely offers. It is not enough to see the grace of God appearing. The eternal benefit is in receiving the Salvation that Grace offers. Many take the Grace of God for granted. They think it is too cheap and easy a way to salvation. They want to work for and earn their salvation through good works, morality, religion, ethics and such “filthy rags”: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags…” (Isa.64:6a). Beloved, the opportunity for salvation – your Day of Salvation – must never be postponed: “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of Salvation I have helped you.” Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation” (2Cor.6:2).