19 September 2026
The commands in Titus 2 are weighty. Older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and workers all receive clear instructions for godly living. How can we live up to this standard? Mark Penrith takes us to the answer. “Paul does not say, try harder. He does not say, do better. He says, look. Look at what God has done. Look at what God is doing. Look at what God will do.” Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” Grace saves us.
But grace does more than save us. It trains us. Paul says that grace is “instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.” Mark says, “Grace is not passive. Grace is not idle. Grace trains. It instructs. It disciplines. It shapes.” God does not save us and leave us unchanged. His grace works in us. It teaches us to say no to sin and yes to godliness. It shapes the way we think, speak, work, love, and serve.
This gives us hope when we see our weakness. We do not have to depend on willpower. We look to Christ. Mark says, “Grace takes the raw material of your life and shapes it. Grace takes the stubborn heart and softens it. Grace takes the wandering affections and anchors them. Grace takes the clenched fist and opens it.” That training may expose areas where we resist God. Perhaps it is your marriage, your parenting, your work, your private thought life, or your use of time. Confess it. Bring it into the light. Then take one deliberate step toward godliness today.
This matters for our children too. They need to understand that obedience does not earn God’s love. Christ saves His people by grace. Then that same grace teaches us how to live for Him. Mark puts it simply: “Grace does not save you and leave you. Grace saves you and trains you.” Our children should see us depending on Christ rather than pretending that Christian maturity comes from trying harder. They should see grace changing ordinary lives.
Paul reminds us that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.” So where is Christ’s grace training you today? Stop resisting. Start pursuing. Look to Christ. Father, thank You for saving grace that does not leave me unchanged. Teach me to deny sin and pursue godliness. Shape my life for Your glory. Amen.