The apostle Paul wrote to his companion and fellow-laborer, Titus, in order to commission him to visit the assemblies in Crete. Titus would act as his deputy to establish elders in each assembly and to bring “sound doctrine” and other instructions to the saints (Tit. 1:5; 2:1).

Paul gave Titus a three-point summary of the Christian faith to share with the saints (2:11–13). This summary or synopsis was given in the form of a past, present, and future. In the past, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to “all men.” In the future Christ will return.

The Present: the grace of God, once truly known, teaches us something. It teaches us that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” The amazing thing about biblical Christianity and the doctrine of God’s grace is that works ought to follow salvation, but they certainly do not precede it or initiate it. It has been said, “Christianity begins with a done, not a do.”

The apostle had already stated that believers should live in such a way that “they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (2:10). The word “adorn” in the original Greek is a word from which we derive the word “cosmetics.” It means an “order or arrangement of things.” Paul is urging us to make the doctrine of God’s grace attractive, that we may beautify it through our godly behavior. It is as clear as could possibly be that good works do not justify us, but rather make grace attractive to other sinners. Let us beautify it today!