Afterwords -- in training
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..." (Titus 2:11-12)
May 2, 2024
Dear friends,
This week I'm thinking about the word, “training”.
In the summer in Blacksburg, we often see our local transit buses with lighted signs on front and back, signifying, "In Training". I do give these new bus drivers a wider berth on the road than usual. They’re in training.
Also, we have a young friend at church who is competing in the Olympics, and basically, he stays “in training" year-round. And he has been doing so for many years. He’s in training.
In the verse above we see both the words, "grace" and "training" in the same sentence. That may seem a bit surprising. We would expect "grace" -- that is, abundant, undeserved kindness and generosity from God -- to be alongside "bringing salvation for all people" (as it does), but not so much the "training us to renounce ungodliness..." In other words, the Apostle Paul says here, the grace which appears and brings salvation is also the grace which trains us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this age.
GOD’S GRACE IS A TRAINING GRACE. To "train" (in this verse, 2:12) is the verb παιδεύω (paideuō) which means (in these contexts) to train (as in childrearing), to instruct, teach, correct, give guidance, or to mold the character of another. It may involve reproof, admonition, and chastening. This is the same root word that we get "pedagogy" from. When we turn to God, the living and true God, we are also turning away from false gods (1 Thess 1:9). We are learning, often with much difficulty, a new lifestyle altogether. We are being trained to live as family members in our Father's house. As sons and daughters of God, we are preparing to receive an eternal inheritance.
GOD’S SCHOOL OF GRACE. This call to training, instruction, and discipline echoes throughout the Bible. The words of Scripture and sound doctrine are designed not merely to comfort and encourage us, but also to train us unto godliness (1 Tim 4:6-7; 2 Tim 3:16). We are being trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Heb 5:14). Paul compares the Christian life to being a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer (2 Tim 2:1-5), callings which necessitate discipline, skill, and self-control. We are working out our salvation (Phil 2:12; note: not working for our salvation). We are in the midst of a global spiritual conflict, and we need to be equipped for battle (Eph 6:11-18; 2 Cor 10:3-5). King David wrote of the Lord, "He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." (Psalm 18:34)
GIFTS COME WITH RESPONSIBILITY. As I studied for ministry, I knew that my calling was to teach and preach God's word. But this gift of grace involved years of training, study, nurture, and accountability. Jesus said, "...every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." (Matt 13:52) Christian ministry was an undeserved privilege which included mental preparation as well as character development. The calling was of grace, and so was the schooling.
NOT LEGALISM. Our Father schools us by the painful difficulties we face in this life, in order to bring forth the "peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11). This is not religious legalism nor is it works-righteousness, but rather a high calling, a gracious privilege, to learn how to live and conduct ourselves as children of God. We are beloved and secure as his children. But we are also called to deny self, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to put to death the deeds of our sinful flesh (Rom 6 & 8; Gal 5). The passage above (Titus 2) is preceded by instructions (teaching, training) on how husbands, wives, children, employers, and employees are to fulfill their respective roles to the glory of God (Titus 2:1-10; cf Eph 6:1-9).
THIS IS GRACE. It is by grace that we are called and adopted, and it is by grace that we are being trained to live according to that calling and family likeness. As Jesus said, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40) This is grace, that we are being shaped into the likeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and so to share in his eternal glory. Because of this, the grace which brings salvation, also brings training.
With this in mind, we should ask ourselves, Do I understand that enrollment in God's school of grace comes with my high calling as his child? Do I see how grace and discipline go together? Am I teachable, or do I chafe at the yoke of discipline? Am I willing to stay "in training" for all my life?
IN OTHER NEWS.
-- Today is the National Day of Prayer. There will be a noontime gathering in Blacksburg today at Five Chimneys Park on Draper Street. Here's how to pray for America.
-- At Virginia Tech, today is also reading day. The last day of classes was yesterday, and exams begin tomorrow. I'm thankful for how President Sands handled the difficult situation at Virginia Tech.
-- Yesterday, on the way back from appointments in Charlottesville, we stopped for a delicious dinner at Chicano Boy Taco in Staunton. (Tip: go for the pork belly taco and the Mexican street corn.) As we walked after dinner we were impressed with the number and size of beautiful church buildings in the old town. My picture below is of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
-- "The true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the holy Scriptures through which he guides us." (J. I. Packer, Knowing God, p 236) Chapter 20, "Thou Our Guide" is an excellent treatment on how God guides us. More excerpts here.
-- A correction from last week's newsletter: the beginning of the seventh paragraph should read, "This woman is forgiven (saved) because of her faith. Her love was the fruit and evidence of her salvation, not the cause of it. She loves because she's forgiven, not vice versa. The order is important." Here's the corrected email.
FINAL QUOTE.
"Discipline is a privilege because it is an evidence of our sonship." (Alistair Begg)
That's it for this week!
Sandy
Image credit: the photo above is by Elias Vicario on Unsplash. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
