This article is the last of 2025. It is bittersweet to come to the end of another year, but God has truly blessed my family and me through it all. It is an honor to write these articles, and I appreciate so much all of you who read them.
We close out this year and this series of articles by answering the question, “How can I be imperfect yet holy?” Thus far, we have noticed that we can and must be holy by spending time in God’s Word and spending time in prayer.
This week, we want to focus on the importance of living in the world but not living “of" the world so we might live holy lives before God.
Our Text - Titus 2:11-14
Our main text today comes from Titus 2:11-14:
“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, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:11-14, NKJV).
God’s grace informs us.
First, we see that God’s grace informs us on how salvation is possible.
The grace of God is extended to “all men,” but only those who meet the conditions God has set forth in His Word can access the benefits God’s grace provides. An example of this is Noah.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8). God’s grace provided salvation for Noah and his family, but there was something Noah needed to do to respond to God’s grace. He was to faithfully obey God’s commandments to build an ark in the way God instructed, so he and his family could be saved from the flood (Gen. 6:8-22; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20).
Noah had to make the decision to follow God instead of the world. He certainly was separate from their thinking and way of living, for he “walked with God” (Gen. 6:9), which emphasizes a pure, holy life.
God’s grace instructs us.
Second, we see that God’s grace instructs us how to live holy lives.
Notice from our text that God’s grace teaches us. The word “teaches” comes from a Greek word which means, “to educate and instruct through teaching and discipline.”
God’s grace teaches us both to “reject” and to “reflect.” It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts (Rom. 6:12-14; 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17). On the other hand, it teaches us to reflect as we live “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.”
The word “soberly” carries the idea of “self-control.” The word “righteously” carries the idea of “integrity,” living in harmony with God’s will. The word “godly” carries the idea of living a life of devotion toward God.
If we apply these things to our lives, we can be “blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:14-15).
God’s grace inspires us.
Third, we see that God’s grace inspires us to live for Him.
As we live in the world, but not “of” the world, we seek and long for the time when we can be with God.
The idea of holiness is connected to being separate from the world by belonging to the Lord! We have hope, therefore we “set our affections on things that are above” (Col. 3:1) and “lay up treasures in Heaven” (Matt. 6:19-21).
We, as Christians, look forward to the appearing of Christ, not the approval from the world!
God’s grace impacts us.
Fourth and finally, we see that God’s grace impacts the way we live from day to day.
We long to see Jesus who “gave Himself for us” that He might “redeem” us and “purify” us for Himself.
The word “redeem” means to “buy back.” Those who have obeyed the Gospel of Christ have been redeemed by His blood (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Eph. 1:7). Note from the text that He redeemed us “from every lawless deed” meaning our sins were washed away by His blood which we contacted in the waters of baptism (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5) and we now live a life of purity.
The word “purify” means to “cleanse or purge from evil.”
In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, God’s grace gives clarity and courage.
Titus 2:11-14 reminds us that grace is more than forgiveness — it’s a teacher that trains us to live differently. Because Christ gave Himself for us, we are called to deny ungodliness, live uprightly, and look forward to His return.
To be “in the world but not of the world” means living with hearts set on Heaven while serving faithfully on earth. The same grace that saved us from sin also strengthens us to stand apart from it. True holiness is not withdrawal from the world, but reflection of Christ within it.
May God richly bless you as we close out another year and look forward to serving Him in 2026 and beyond.
Thank you so much for reading these articles this year, and I look forward to studying with you in the future, Lord willing.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
