Q4. Motivated by Grace

[Pastor Ralph]

Q4. (Titus 2:11-12) How does a wrong understanding of God’s grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior? In what ways should God’s grace motivate us to good behavior?

[Krissi]

For some Christians, grace functions as a "get out of jail free" card, much like the idea of salvation as a "reset "or "fresh start." There's an element of truth to this statement, because God's grace, at salvation and beyond, DOES wipe the past away -- sins are forgiven. The sinner, too, is forgiven. We tend to abstract sin, as if it's something that happened to us rather than something we chose, willingly, to do. This is wrong. Sin is something we do or think.  It's not "out there" but emerges from inside of us. 

True, we have proclivities and weaknesses, some of which can be very powerful, but we always have a way out -- we have a choice whether to sin or not. Given this choice, we make it wrongly, repeatedly. We're responsible for what we do -- we're responsible actors. We have agency. We can't pretend that sin just happened to us when we were looking the other way. We chose it.

But grace, strangely, does just happen to us. We can ask for more of His grace -- most of us do -- but we are not responsible for grace. God is. It's HIs gift. The big idea is, then, that grace is undeserved and unmerited and connected logically with forgiveness while sin, in contrast, is something we choose to do thus it's consequences are deserved.

God's grace enables us to fight sin within us but does not fight that sin for us. there may be times when God graciously empowers us, in a moment of danger, to supernaturally overcome our own tendencies or fears, but most of the time His grace gives US the power and ability to resist sin ... if we choose to do so. We have to choose to discipline ourselves, with the power of the Spirit's help and enabling, that is, to resist sin.

Secular people without His grace, or special grace, can possess self-discipline, too. I've known many seculars who have amazing self-discipline (my father, for one). Some of these highly self-disciplined seculars intuitively understand that the inner line is quite thin between what they can control and cannot control. They know that "losing it" is right below the surface and could happen if they let down their guard. So they'e careful.

Without the power of the Spirit, they have less to work with -- they're on their own fighting their own defeating and damaging tendencies. Many Christians  don't take their own weaknesses and proclivities toward sin as seriously as do seculars. We take forgiveness and Spiritual power lightly because we know that God will give it to us when asked. The consequences of sin seemed lessened, in a way, compared to that of seculars, even though our sensitivity to sin is greatly heightened, unless our hearts are hardened.

 

[haar]

Q4. (Titus 2:11-12) How does a wrong understanding of God's grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior? In what ways should God's grace motivate us to good behavior?

          A4.

          By grace we mean unmerited favor as demonstrated by God when He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that we would be saved from the penalty of eternal death.

This same grace should not be an excuse for anyone to then continue to sin so that grace may abound.

On the contrary, grace shown to us should motivate us to commit ourselves to live lives that please God.

[Diane D.]

We are tempted to focus on the fact that God gives us Grace (we cannot earn it) and if saved, we may tend to act any way we want.   On the surface, this sounds like great freedom, however, true freedom comes from honouring God and being thankful for Him and His salvation.  Slowly but surely, if we draw near to Him and listen and learn of Him, we will WANT to do what is right in His eyes out of our love for Him.  Beyond love he has provided us all with the tools and examples to start to become how he envisions us.  Grace continues to give us the nudges that we individually need!

[Eldress Rowe]

God's grace is not our license to continue to live a sinful life but our pathway to a life of holiness. It may appear on the surface that we have been given great freedom but when we dig a little deeper we find that this is not the case.  Some feel that since we are no longer under the law but under grace sin is no longer imputed to them  and that they can not be damned but can do what they will because if the love and favor of God, but this is in error.  While we may not be under the law as they were in the time of Moses, we are under it as in the hands of Christ, and though no under its curse we are under an obligation of obedience to it from a principal of love and grace.  A transgression of it is sin in the believer just as in others and by willfully continuing in sin we greatly abuse the grace of God and are ignorant of it and its influence since nothing more powerfully engages us to a love of holiness and a hatred of sin than the grace of God.

 

The grace of God is the free favor and good will of God and is the means of conveying and working grace in the hearts of believers.  it is obliging and constraining to goodness therefore we should not let sin reign in our mortal bodies but yield ourselves unto God.  The love of Christ constrains us not to live to self but to Christ and without this effect it is received in vain.  Not only does grace bring salvation from sin and wrath, death and hell, but it brings us to faith, a life of holiness now, and to happiness hereafter.  The doctrine of grace and salvation found in the Gospel is for all, slaves, servants, and masters, and engages and encourages all to receive, believe, and walk suitably to it.

It directs us as to what to shun and what to follow, what to avoid and what to do, teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly **** and have nothing more to do with these things.  It makes us conscience of both good and evil that we may do that which is good and shun that which is evil, keeping limits of moderation and temperance on our appetite and passions.  It instructs us to act righteously toward all men, rendering to all their due and injuring none.  We are not born for ourselves alone therefore we must not live to ourselves only.  Selfishness ia an unrighteousness that robs others of  their share in us which is their due and should not be a part of our DNA. But our personal and relational duties must be done in obedience to His command with the aim of pleasing and honoring God, from principles of holy love and reverence of God.  

[Clelie]

If we don’t know the full meaning of what is grace especially the grace of God we’ll have  a shallow understanding of its full value and importance.  Then the grace of God will loose its real meaning and taken as meaning the grace of God now allows me to do what I want for I’ll be forgiven by His grace . 
 

When we understand we do not deserve to receive anything from God for we have sinned and rebelled against Him,and that in His great love for us has brought forgiveness through the sacrificial death of His Only Son on the cross to forgive us and give us hope of eternal life. This is grace an unmerited favor. When we understand that gift of His pardon and where we did not have to pay for it we humble ourselves before Him with in gratefuness to live a life that is  worthy of that grace .

[Niyonka16]

Q4. (Titus 2:11-12) How does a wrong understanding of God's grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior?

ANSWER: Many professing Christians wrongly think that God’s grace means that He gives out free passes that allow us to sin, with no consequences for disobedience. If you emphasize the need to obey God’s commandments or do good works, they call you a legalist. If you warn them that their sloppy view of sin will result in God’s discipline, they don’t want to hear it. Their mantra is, “I’m not into your rules kind of religion. I’m under grace, not law.” For them, grace means permission for sloppy living.

In what ways should God's grace motivate us to good behavior?

ANSWER: Scripture shows a surprising and counter-intuitive truth: Grace motivates: … Grace gives us the power to overcome sin. It gives us the power to say no to sin and no to the enemy.

Grace Is Compelling - God’s grace is overflowing and abundant. It is also powerful: grace motivates changed lives. The love of Christ compels us!” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The law threatens and demands, but does not motivate. This is not to discount the value of the law. The law of God is “perfect, true, and righteous. The law cannot generate what it commands. Law does not deliver what it mandates—but grace does.

Grace Is Practical - The shocking and life-giving truth that grace motivates is not just for the pulpit and counseling sessions. It has massive implications for leadership in all realms. Grace is practical. What actually motivates people are “intrinsic motivators,” inward desires that drive our behavior. Those who lead by grace set the tone for entire teams and organizations. Grace expressed as love, acceptance, and understanding increases performance in the workplace.Grace In Real Life - For pastors and ministry leaders, the principle that grace motivates ought to permeate our lives, work, and leadership. This means when you want to see better performance from your staff, don’t threaten demotions or probation; instead, provide security, offer freedom for self-direction, and help them see the larger significance of their work. Don’t give them threats, but talk about Jesus’ obedience on their behalf and dazzle them with grace. You will be amazed at the fruit the Holy Spirit produces when you focus on grace, rather than threats and incentives. Grace motivates.

Main Theme and Purpose of Titus

The book of Titus is one of the pastoral epistles in the New Testament. Paul wanted to send encouragement to his friend, and in Titus 1:5 Paul states “The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.” He is reminding Titus of the duty he was charged with.

Paul also writes this letter to send a warning to Titus. He reminds him in Titus 1:12 of what reputation the people of Crete have. The purpose of this letter is to not only encourage but instruct Titus in his ministry. Lastly, Paul wants Titus to visit him in Nicopolis.

What We Can Learn from Titus Today - Paul’s words can teach us two very important lessons.

The first LESSON is how those who are in leadership positions within the church should behave. We learn how to choose our leaders and what God is charging them to accomplish. Paul emphasizes sound doctrine because of the false teaching that was happening. The same false teachings are heard around the world today and as leaders in the church, we are to commit to spreading the truth.

The second lesson we learn has to do with our salvation. Paul is teaching us that the gift of salvation should not end with us. It should be shared with the world around us as it was meant to give us a beautiful life. In Titus 3:14 Paul says, “Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs so that they will not be unfruitful.” Our good works will show our love and devotion to Christ. It will help us to show what the gift of salvation has done for us, and what it can do for others.

Our world today is full of needs. There are the homeless, the unborn, the widows, and so many more. People that need the love of Christ in their hearts will only receive it as we work to help them. We are not to be judgmental, but compassionate. Christ commands us to go to the ends of the earth to share the gospel.

The words of Paul remind us that we are to remember what Christ did for us. We were freed so that we may aid in the freeing of all mankind. We are not to sit still and keep the message of Jesus Christ to ourselves. Working to help others in need and sharing the gift of salvation is as important today as it was when Paul wrote these words.

[Katy]

Q4. We have been given wonderful grace from God when we accepted Him as Our Lord and Saviour. We have been given freedom, but this freedom is from all our sins. This grace and freedom is not given to us so we can be careless about the way we live. This grace is given to us to live Godly lives that are pleasing and honouring to God. The more we live honourable lives the easier it will become to continue this way of life and the more offensive it will be to us to do anything that is non pleasing to our Lord and Saviour. 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q4. (Titus 2:11-12)

How does a wrong understanding of God's grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior?

Grace teaches us to renounce:

• Ungodliness is lack of reverence for God resulting in careless and profane use of Jesus' name and God's name, and actions that utterly go against what Jesus teaches us.
• Worldly passions would include being led into sexual sins by our human sexual desires, and into sins of greed, theft, and covetousness, where wrong desires are the leading factors.

In what ways should God's grace motivate us to good behavior?

Grace teaches us to live lives that are:

• Self-controlled refers to being prudent, moderate, and in control of ourselves. This is a favorite descriptor in Paul's Epistle to Titus, perhaps because the Cretans tended to be out of control.
• Upright would refer to honesty, the desire to do the right and just thing.

[Jonathan Edwards]

We end up in presumption, a false security of God's favor on our lives.  The flow of the Holy Spirit is impeded due to not allowing the inward move of the Holy Spirit to outwardly reforming our characters.  We are still being saved daily, each day we must do a self exam and repent of ungodliness and ungodly behaviours.  We cannot be like those who rebelled in the forty year sourjourn in the desert; God heard and recorded their grumblings.  Sons of Korah were swallowed up, including their possessions.

Our hearts are centered on the Rapture and 2nd Coming of Christ !  We are WATCHFULL,..we remain sanctified as we wait for the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have this GRACE NOW (JOHN 3:16; TITUS 2:11).  More reason to live in holiness all the day long.

 

 

[Old Jerry]

The wrong understanding of God’s grace seems to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior because we know that God will for give us because Jesus died and was resurrected for our sins. Therefore, we think we can do anything because of his grace. If we are trying to please God, then we will be control ourselves to accomplish this task.

[hanks]

Q4. (TITUS 2:11-12) 
How does a wrong understanding of God's grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behaviour? In what ways should God's grace motivate us to good behaviour? 
Once we have been saved; all our past, present, and future sins are forgiven; some might think that since all their future sins are already forgiven, they can be a bit careless in behaviour. But it doesn’t work that way, once we are saved, we will have become new creatures (2 Cor 5:17) and our goal will be to glorify God in all ways we can. We will be looking forward with hope of spending eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace motivates us to live a righteous life turning away from worldly lusts – **** for sex, wealth, power, pleasure, fame amongst other. And we will want to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.