For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14).
It is grace-only grace-that has the power to teach us to say no to ungodliness and to renounce the sinful desires of this world, and to live instead a life that is pleasing to God. This is the sanctifying power of the grace of God...Grace teaches us to say no to sin because it always gives us another chance. If there were no grace, then as soon as we sinned we would be condemned. But grace is the favor of an undeserved mercy that comes to us again and again...One of the ways grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness is by giving us a place to go with our sin and then offering us another chance to grow.
Phil Ryken, Grace Transforming
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