Sharing of Poem:
“Run, John, run. The law commands
But gives neither feet nor hands.
Better news the gospel brings;
It bids me fly and gives me wings.” —- John Bunyan

In his poem above, John Bunyan (the famous puritan, who wrote the Christian classic The Pilgrim’s Progress) expounds in the most succinct manner the difference between the law and the grace of God. The law commands us without enabling us. Grace, on the other hand, impels us (bids us to fly) and at the same time enables us (gives us wings).
In our pursuit to maintain a life of integrity, God’s grace impels us and enables us to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ. Even so, grace does not negate the need for Christian grit. Christian grit is the active obedience that responds out of love for the grace of God and the desire to please Him. Be careful brother and sisters that we do not mistake Christian grit as a legalistic work (which is the attempt to obtain, or preserve salvation by human works). The concept of obedience and legalism should not be confused with each other.

Main Text:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)

Pertinent Questions:

1. Isn’t the title of this message ‘the discipline of grace’ an oxymoron?

To some people, discipline and grace seem like incongruent terms. In fact, these two terms are not at all out of sync with each other if we rightly understand each of them—the biblical meaning, that is. The most common misconception of discipline is that it refers to an unloving restraint, meted out by an angry and distant God. The most common misconception of grace is that it means freedom from any rules and unconditional love from an indulgent God who does not view sin seriously.

2. What does Titus 2:11-12 teach us about the true nature of God’s grace and discipline?

This verse reads, “For the grace of God…teaches us…” The original Greek word used in place of “teach” means much more than imparting knowledge. The Greek word was used as a term for raising children and included not just instruction, but also admonition and reproof, all administered in love and for the benefits for the child. So we see that the very same grace that brings salvation also trains us to live lives that are pleasing to God. Therefore, in short, Titus 2:11-12 is the biblical evidence that the same grace of God that gave us salvation also disciplines us. All of God’s disciplinary measures are grounded in His grace. We tend to equate discipline with rules and performance; God equates it with firm but loving care for our souls.

3. How do we actually wield the weapon of grace and grit in our battle to maintain integrity?

This is best illustrated by an example: You know that lying is ungodly and it compromises your integrity. So, you first pray for the grace of God to impel and enable you to be honest. Second, you engage in a genuine struggle to respond to God’s enabling grace with active obedience. Thanks be to God and all honour and glory goes to him if we succeed in being honest. But if we fail, then the same grace that impels and enables us also forgives us through our Lord Jesus Christ. However, let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that we can do away with the genuine struggle and give in wantonly to a deliberate compromise. No true Christian will ever do that.

4. How important is it that we maintain our integrity?

Extremely!!! For the honour of our God is at stake! John Calvin wrote the following more than 400 years ago:
“Everything bad they [the ungodly] can seize hold of in our life is twisted maliciously against Christ and His teaching. The result is that by our fault God’s sacred name is exposed to insult.” So our work, our play, our shopping should be done with a view that not only will unbelievers have nothing bad to say, but that they will be attracted to God whose grace they see at work in our lives. Without integrity, we have no real testimony for God before unbelieving man, rendering us completely useless for God’s work.