The Grace of God appeared

 

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. . .

Grace is a word we often hear, especially if you are or were raised in a Christian home. But in America we don't seem to fully understand or appreciate what grace is. We here songs like "Amazing Grace" and we see the word grace on necklaces; we say things like "By God's grace . . ." but do we truly know what God's grace is? I believe when we truly understand grace we cannot help but to love and praise God, and be in awe of the Gospel of Grace! 

At Christmas we celebrate the day the Jesus was born, the day the Son of God became the Son of Man and was manifest in the flesh. One Christmas season I was reading the verse written above, Titus 2:11, and it hit me that when Jesus appeared, the grace of God appeared. Titus 2:11 points to Jesus when it says that "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people." That's Jesus! He is grace, He brings salvation. John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the the only Son from the Father, full of GRACE and truth." Jesus is full of grace!

What is grace? When God shows grace to us, it is Him giving us something that we have done nothing to deserve. God shows us grace in giving us salvation; we have done NOTHING, not even one thing, to deserve eternal life and salvation, but yet, in His loving kindness, God has given us grace by saving us.

God's grace is abundant and sufficient. It never runs out. His grace is enough. We don't need God's grace + our good works to be saved. God's grace is enough. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." It all because of God's good grace that we can be saved. We cannot boast that our works have saved us! It is purely by the grace of God.

God is a gracious and kind Savior!

God gives us grace, not only by saving us, but by helping us to live for Him moment by moment! He strengthens us to walk in His ways according to His grace!

God sent Jesus that first Christmas as an act of grace. At Christmas we often celebrate and hear aobut phrases like "comfort and joy" and "hope and peace". Those are great things to celebrate! But this Christmas may you also celebrate salvation and God's grace! May we praise Him for His abundant grace in our lives!

"For the Grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people!"