The Mountain of Grace: Looking Back, Living Now, Waiting in Hope

During chapel today, Senior Class Chaplain Landon Heft opened Titus 2:11–14 and invited us to see the “mountain of grace” that Paul describes in this passage. At its peak, the grace of God stands tall — giving us perspective on our past salvation, present training, and future hope. Heft focused this passage on the big idea that grace has appeared, which changes everything.

Grace in the Past: Our Salvation

At the base of this mountain is the grace that has already come. Paul reminds us in Titus that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. Looking back at the cross, we see a past secured by the finished work of our Savior.

Grace in the Present: Our Training

Grace does not leave us at the foot of the mountain. Right now, it is actively training us. Paul writes that grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and live a holy life. Heft further reiterated that grace equips us to say no to sin and yes to the habits that draw us closer to Christ. Heft encouraged us to cling to the habits of grace, such as prayer and Scripture memory, to dwell on Christ.

Grace in the Future: Our Hope

Finally, grace empowers us to wait with eager expectation. Heft asks the question: Who are we waiting for? We are waiting for our Redeemer, who has died so that we can put sin to death, our Purifier who is making us holy, and our Possessor, who has chosen us as His treasured possession. With such hope, Heft reminded us, how content should we be to wait?

Declare This Grace

Paul closes his letter saying, “declare these things” (Titus 2:15). If we have truly seen the mountain of grace, we cannot keep silent. The past has secured us, the present is shaping us, and the future fills us with hope. What great grace we have received — let us live it, share it, and rejoice in it.