Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (1)—Introduction - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
Titus 2:11-12

Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (1)—Introduction
Grace does not teach those who are dead; it gives life to them. It does not teach those who are guilty; it cleanses them. It does not teach those who are condemned; it justifies them. It is as quickened (made alive), cleansed, and justified that I become the pupil of grace. The very first thing that grace does for the lost sinner is to bring him salvation, and when he receives this salvation it teaches him "that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."

I desire that my reader be clear as to this. If he be as yet in an unsaved state, let him understand that the grace of God brings him salvation as a present thing. Moreover, until he has accepted this free gift, he is wholly unable to understand or take in the lessons which grace teaches. If grace is to be his teacher, he must be saved to be a pupil. This simple fact gives the death-blow to all legality, to all human righteousness, to all man's pretensions. If none can comprehend the lessons which grace teaches except those who have accepted the salvation which grace brings, then, assuredly, our language must ever be, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory" (Ps. 115:1).

Law tells us how we ought to live, but it does not teach us. It neither gives us the lesson to learn nor the capacity to learn it. It does not bring us salvation. The law could never have any saved pupils because it does not save the lost, but condemns them for being lost. May we sit at the Lord's feet in all quietness and drink in His hallowed instructions!

C. H. Mackintosh