Conformed Unto Godliness (a study in Titus 2:11-15 • Part 3)

Christians have been radically transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. We are brand new creatures in Christ who are now to live completely different than the world around us.

And the amazing reality of the Gospel is that God’s grace, through His Holy Spirit, enables us to live as we ought – even in the present day in which we live.

In this third study from Titus 2:11–15 we talk about how God’s grace is training, disciplining, and enabling us to walk as genuine Christians – with self-control, righteousness, and godliness.

Listen to or download the episode

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Titus 2:11–15 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

God’s Grace Teaches and Disciplines us to “say no” (deny and reject)

1. Deny ungodliness (anything unlike God)
2. Deny worldly desires / passions / lusts

1 John 2:15–17 – Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

God’s Grace Teaches and Disciplines us to “say yes” (live in a certain way)

• we should live (zaō) – live; to lead a certain kind of life; to live in a certain manner

1. sensibly (self-controlled, prudence, restraint, sober minded)
2. righteously (a straight path, rightly, uprightly)
3. godly (two Greek words put together – eu: well + sebomai: to be devout)
   • the action and attitude that are in alignment with His life and nature … living in a way that is pleasing to Him
   • used 18 times in 1 Timothy and becomes the chief way Paul uses to characterize and describe a Christian in 1 Timothy
   • 1 Timothy 4:7b–8 – On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily training is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
     

3 Concepts

1. Communal (“us”) – Christianity is meant to be done in community (it isn’t Lone Ranger stuff)
2. Current (“present age” … the “now”)
   • Paul talks about time: “now” in this present age – regardless of how evil and dark it may be)
   • must be a present reality not a future hope (that is in verse 13 talking about the appearing of Jesus)
3. Complete (the entire person is changed)
   • God’s grace is teaching us to say yes and no … but also empowers us to actually live it
   • we are to have behavioral correctness not just doctrine accuracy
   • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

1 Timothy 6:11 – But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness.

Romans 8:29 – Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers …

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About NRJohnson

NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.

About the Deeper Christian Podcast

Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.

Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.