The key to spiritual Health

Read Titus 2.

"But as for you"

Ignore the chapter division that was added later.  Paul had just finished obliterating false teachers.  Now, in stark contrast, he commands that "sound doctrine" be taught.  The Greek word (translated "sound") means "healthy".  In other words, teaching the Scriptures is what people need for spiritual health.

Next, five categories of people in the congregation are addressed.  If they are to be spiritually healthy, these are the demonstrable behaviors of each.  No matter our age or station in life, followers of Jesus are to model certain qualities of character and responsibility.  "...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." (v.10b)  Healthy doctrine is not just for our information.  It is intended to change our lives in such a way that others actually see the difference.

The results of putting our healthy spiritual beliefs into practice are signs of the grace of God at work.  There are three of these effects mentioned in verses 11-14.
1. "Bringing salvation for all people."
Personally experiencing God's grace means I am delivered from the PENALTY of sin.  "There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)  It is the message of Jesus, brought to us by the grace of God, which saves humans from an eternity in hell to eternal life.  That is not merely good news; that is great news!

2. "Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions."
Personally experiencing God's grace means I am being delivered from the POWER of sin.  Grace is "the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life."  In other words, when God does a work on the inside, there will be some noticeable changes on the outside.  Once we truly encounter the grace of God we can never be the same.  His goal is to "purifying for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (v.14).

3. "Waiting for our blessed hope."
Personally experiencing God's grace means I will be delivered from the PRESENCE of sin.  A true believer in Jesus does not secure their hope in this life.  This life is temporal at best.  The deterioration of morality and the increasing conflicts in the world, of course, concern us.  But we have read the last chapters of the Book and know how this story will end.  Our hope is in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.  It is He, the Prince of Peace, who will rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.  It is promise of "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" that gives us daily hope.

Jesus promised, "I will come again." (John 14:3).  The spiritual health of a church is dependent upon this teaching.  Our personal spiritual health is dependent upon living as if we may see Jesus, one way or another, even today.