In light of the comment thread that has appeared under one of my previous posts on love I thought the following section from Titus was rather applicable. Paul writes:
‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.’ Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)
So Paul then sees a didactic element to the cross of Christ in that it ‘teaches’ us to change from our former ways. The grace displayed in the cross becomes not only the means by which people are reconciled to God it also becomes the means whereby the individual is transformed into the likeness of Christ as he/she grows in Christian maturity. The gospel teaches godliness.
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