1gspl4all

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” ^ESV Titus 2:11-12

My mom was a legal secretary when I was a baby. I have no recollection of it at all other than the memory of being fascinated by shorthand notations. I never learned to read or write in shorthand, but I understand it to be a way of writing that uses odd shapes and symbols to denote words and phrases. Hey, wait a minute; Mom was text messaging way before it was cool!

Well, it might cool to use shorthand in an email, an article or even a letter to communicate; there is simply no shortchanging the gospel and its far reaching power to save what was lost and keep it forever.

Some months back I wrote a series of articles inspired by Jerry Bridges’ comment that “we all need a daily appropriation of the gospel.” That thought was rekindled in me this week as I listened to Matt Glass preach about the gospel in our church; specifically mentioning the verses above. Let’s explore them briefly.

In verse eleven, we see right away that Paul is talking about Jesus. Jesus is the grace of God and he has appeared to us here on earth. And for what purpose; why did the grace of God appear? So that salvation might be had by all. So that sinners might be reconciled through faith and repentance to God. But is that the only reason? No, the gospel has other purposes too.

Look at verse twelve with me. The grace of God has also appeared for those who have already been saved. We see right away that the gospel is good for training Christians too! In a negative sense, the gospel causes Christians to recognize ungodliness and worldly passions in their lives; both of which separate us from the joy of our salvation. And the same gospel enables Christians to renounce these things too.

Now look at verse twelve in a positive sense. The gospel is that fuel which enables Christians to live self controlled, upright and godly lives. And each of these attributes, exercised for the glory of God, serve to increase the joy of our salvation; to bring us closer to God with each passing day.

The simplicity of it all is fascinating. Think about it. One God; One Saviour; One Gospel; One Way. The same gospel that saves also leads, guides and directs Christians in their daily walk. So there really is -young or old, skinny or chubby, pretty or homely, lost or saved - just one gospel for all; 1gspl4all.

-Ken Askew