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Heaven’s Code of Conduct
“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)
Experiencing the grace of God is life changing. It has the power to turn one from a course of rebellion and destruction to a path of obedience and hope. The Cretans were a powerful example of the ability of God’s grace.
The reputation of the Cretans was not good. Paul says, “One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons’" (Titus 1:12). They were known for their foolishness and disobedience following their own passions and pursuing selfish pleasures (Titus 3). Accepting God’s grace involved a renunciation of this past life. “Ungodliness” and “worldly lusts” express the epitome of all that is sinful and wrong (Titus 2:12)!.
A rejection of the worldly life is not enough. Grace compels one to adopt the right course of life. They were to live lives that are submissive, obedient, gentle, and ready for every good work (Titus 3). To live “soberly” is to hold a mastery over our passions and impulses (Titus 2:12). To be “godly” is claim the presence of God in our everyday life.
This means a radical change took place in the lives if the Cretans. Old habits are hard to break and new ones difficult to begin, but God’s grace and kindness was the life changing motive that prompted them to take this painful step. “Hope” would encourage them to persevere (Titus 3:13).
As we grow in our appreciation of God’s love, it will prompt us to live God approved lives.
