It Starts Small

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Titus 2:11

Grace of God

Grace is an extraordinary force, a magnificent reality that remains unseen and intangible. Yet, astonishingly, it declares itself as having “appeared” and beckons us to follow its guidance. In my heart, I am convinced that this “grace of God” personifies Jesus Christ himself. He alone has ushered in salvation for all humanity. This profound truth reinforces that this “grace of God” unequivocally points to Jesus. He is, without a doubt, the ultimate embodiment of God’s grace. Grace is essentially “God’s favor toward the unworthy.” It is also the “spontaneous, unmerited gift of divine favor in the salvation of sinners.” It is a breathtaking gift that transforms lives!

Grace is an undeserved gift, a radiant beacon of hope shining through the darkest shadows of our lives. Jesus is the greatest gift God has ever given to man. We did not deserve Him. Yet, He freely offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. The heart-wrenching truth that men did not deserve Jesus becomes even more evident when we consider that, after His loving and self-sacrificial service, the very people He came to save turned against Him, murdering the One who embodied pure love. Despite our unworthiness, He chose to step into our world. Humanity has strayed from His embrace countless times. Yet, He demonstrated an unconditional love that defies comprehension. Humankind did not deserve Him. Yet He came. He showered us with grace and redemption. This grace knows no bounds, even in the face of our betrayal. In the Gospel of Luke, we witness the astonishing reality. God was pleased with people. This divine favor lifts us above our failures and shortcomings. It reminds us that we are cherished beyond measure. This profound grace inspires us to reflect on our relationship with the divine. It assures us that there is always a path toward forgiveness. Regardless of our past, we have a chance for reconciliation with our Creator.

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!

Luke 2:14

These verses contain the gospel’s core facts and form the central tenets of our faith. It is this grace and salvation that Paul urged Titus to teach the church (Titus 2:15). At the same time, Titus was charged with appointing elders who would safeguard this message and continue to spread it.

salvation for all people

Christ’s coming has opened the doors of salvation wide for everyone. It is a gift we could never have reached through our own efforts alone! This message is one of hope. It does not imply that every person will embrace this gift. Rather, it emphasizes that salvation is a boundless offering, free from the chains of ethnicity or nationality. It is a powerful truth that transcends skin color, ancestry, or personal accomplishments. Imagine the glorious day. Heaven is filled with representatives from every corner of the earth. They are united in worship (Revelation 5:9, 7:9)!

Reflect deeply and express your gratitude to God for the incredible impact His grace has made in your life. Think about your most profound failures and rejoice in His boundless forgiveness. Beyond the cleansing of your transgressions, in what other powerful ways have you felt the embrace of God’s grace? We have been graced with such divine mercy. Therefore, it is our calling to extend that same forgiveness to those around us. How can you embody grace in your everyday interactions, radiating love and compassion to others?

---

Cross-References

• Romans 11:6
• John 1:16

Discussion Questions

• What does “the grace of God” refer to?
• Are there any hints in the text as to what the “grace of God” is? What is the biggest grace of God to us?
• Define “grace.”
• What is the relationship of these verses (11-13) to the rest of the book?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.