Titus 3: Learning to Do What is Good

In the first two chapters of Paul's letter to Titus, he gave instructions on how to choose godly church leaders and how members of the church should behave. The societal norms in the first century Roman church were very different than modern society today. I struggled through the second chapter's descriptions of how slaves are to obey their masters, and how women are not permitted to speak. I fully understand why these rules were written as this was the practice at the time and for a slave or woman to rebel, it would be very scandalous.

The true minister of Christ is expected to be pure and beyond reproach, not disobedient or disrespectful, practicing humility while being able to teach others. I am beginning to learn that God can use any one of us, but our roles and methods may be very different.

In Titus 3, Paul describes who we used to be versus who we are in Christ.

AT ONE TIME WE WERE…

Foolish

Disobedient

Deceived

Enslaved by passions and pleasures

Living in malice

Living in envy

Hated and hating one another

"BUT, when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy" (Titus 3:4).

NOW WE ARE TO BE…

Spiritually washed, reborn, and renewed by the Holy Spirit

Heirs (of Abraham) having the hope of eternal life based on our faith in Jesus Christ

Those who trust in God

Careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good

Pursuing things that are excellent and profitable for everyone

BUT AVOID…

Foolish controversies, genealogies & arguments

Quarrels about the law (O.T. law)

Things that are unprofitable and useless

A divisive person, warped & sinful; they are self-condemned

In the first-century church, just as now, our faith and spiritual devotion are daily choices and a spiritual discipline that makes us stronger in our faith as we live by our faith and are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

In the New Testament, Jesus said there are two commandments that sum up the O.T. law. These can be found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark or Luke,

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Before Paul closes his letter to Titus, he urges him to remind everyone to devote themselves to doing what is good, "in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives". This is my favorite verse of this chapter. Lord, please help us to provide for others and live productive and fulfilling lives led by our faith and good works--surely, this is true religion, to take care of others and love them.

Be Sensible: Teach Sound Doctrine and Faith

In Titus, chapter 1, Paul gave instructions to Titus on how to appoint godly leaders. In chapter 2, Paul commands Titus and the church leaders to be sound teachers. This includes older men, older women, young men, and even slaves are instructed to demonstrate utter faithfulness to their master so that they might "adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything." 

How does a slave obey and show utter faithfulness to a master? This is a concept we, Americans, have a difficult time grasping in the 21st century. However, we must go back to what the church was instructed to be. In Titus 2, older men were to be: self controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. Older women were to be: reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good, and encouraging younger women to love their husbands and children.

Young men were to be: sensible "about everything," an example of good works, having integrity and dignity in teaching, having a message that is beyond reproach so that the opponent would be ashamed and have nothing bad to say.

Since the word sensible was used throughout this chapter, I decided to look it up online. This is what I found on dictionary.com.

Synonyms

1. intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable. See practical. 2. conscious, understanding, observant. 4. perceptible, discernible, palpable.

At this point, I have modified my blog from my original post. How does sensibility, intelligence, consciousness, and understanding (a few of the key words above) relate back to sound teaching?

The words intelligent and sagacious remind me of the many scriptures that explain how we are to seek wisdom from God. Some examples: 1 Corinthians 1, James 1:5.

And applying this wisdom to faith, it is impossible to please God if we do not have faith, live a life worthy of Him, evidenced by good works (Colossians 1:10).

In the Bible in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8-10, we learn that it is not good works that save us, it is our faith--the good works result from this faith and this relationship with God:

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."

The last part of Titus 2 concludes with verses 11-15, and they are very important and noteworthy for all people as an eternal promise and gift from God, if we choose to accept His gift of salvation.

"For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works. Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

Paul to Titus: Find Good, Capable Leaders

I may have found one of my favorite books in the Bible. It only has three chapters, and the first one was so simple, yet so profound. Paul is writing a letter to Titus, his "child in the common faith." As his mentor, he gives some pointers on how to appoint capable leaders.

They should be blameless, a husband to one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As God's manager, he must be blameless and not arrogant--not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, and not greedy for money.

But, this leader should be hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, capable of encouraging others with sound teachings and able to refute those who contradict it.

Paul continues, "For, there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, deceivers... They overthrow whole households by teaching for dishonest gain what they should not" (Titus 1:10-11).

"To the pure, everything is pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work" (Titus 1:15-16).