We’ve come to the end of Titus. Paul gives his final words and, in keeping with Larry’s labeling of Titus “a book of lists,” here we have:
Titus 3:9-14
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Yes, you know it. More lists. More things to do. Paul has now given Titus and the church in Crete so many guidelines that I wonder if they weren’t feeling drowned in them. They must surely have been thinking, “All right Paul, lighten it up. Bring it home. Fill up the rest of this page with something easy to think about.”
So what does Paul give them?
Titus 3:15
Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Wait a minute. All he wants to say after two and a half chapters of guidelines is a brief mention of greetings and grace? Come on Paul. How about a little more encouragement? How about a bit of a pep talk: “You can do it! Don’t be overwhelmed! It’s going to be alright. I believe in you Titus! I love you to death Cretans!”
Why? Why is he content to simply end on grace?
Grace—God’s unmerited favor, unmerited love, unmerited kindness and mercy. Grace—our unmerited rescue from hell. Grace—our unmerited place in Heaven. Every unmerited breath–grace. It is grace that we hold God’s Word in our hands. It is grace when we laugh. It is grace that we can cry. It is grace when we sing. It is grace to sink into sleep after a terrible day at work. We are given unmerited mercy when we face pain with strength. We experience unmerited love when a conflict ends in forgiveness. Not a moment of this life do we deserve, but God steps in with grace.
I think Paul was content to end so abruptly because he believed that grace was everything. It was his very best wish for them. I think in this short sentence “Grace be with you all” Paul was speaking volumes—“This, my dear friends, this gift is more than you can comprehend. It is your desperate need. I know that if God gives you grace, you will be receivers of all that is good. You will see past this brutal world. You will be forever safe. You will be full to the brim with joy and peace and hope. I am not wishing something small for you. Grace is ALL.”
In fact, every letter Paul wrote began and ended with the desire for grace to rain down on the churches. John, Peter, and the writer of Hebrews also encouraged their readers in the same way: “Grace be with you.” The apostles weren’t just wishing this for the churches; they had faith that it would come.
“Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw his hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever-shining; he is manna always falling round the camp; he is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from his smitten side; the rain of his grace is always dropping; the river of his bounty is ever-flowing, and the well-spring of his love is constantly overflowing” (Charles Spurgeon).
I have sent up pleas for grace for my family, my friends, and my church. I knew this was a good thing to pray for, a standard, Biblical prayer, but I’m not sure I always thought through what I was asking. In my heart, “Grace be with you” sounded simple, almost like a cop-out or the “easy” prayer.
But the path Grace took to reach God’s people was anything but easy. It was as difficult as separating a Father from his Son. It was as hard as 8-inch nails through hands and feet. It was as grievous as 12 friends running away. It was as painful as thorns and whips and a spear. It is no simple thing to wish this grace upon a friend. Pray for God’s grace, and you pray for the greatest love and the greatest mercy and the greatest power the world has ever known.
I pray this over you now North Wake. I pray that you would see the grace in every breath and that you would believe in the grace shimmering in every moment. I pray that you would live wholly dependent on grace. I pray for grace to pursue the precious lists of Titus, grace to keep your faith, grace to avoid folly, grace to be of service, grace to move beyond what hurts you, and grace to be changed.
This is no small prayer at all.
