Titus 3:1-3 “Remind them to be
subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to
speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful and hating one another.”
We should all learn not to speak
evil of other people, but to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility. The only reason we are saved is by the grace
of God; His kindness and gentleness to us lead us to repentance. We all spent
our past lives in sin. Even now, as
Christians, we do not walk in perfect holiness.
We all need grace always. Let us
be gracious to others.
Titus 3:4-8 “But when the kindness and the
love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that
having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things
I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”
For me, Titus 3:4-8 is one of the
clearest presentations of the simple gospel in Paul’s writings. God saved us by His mercy through the free
gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus, not according to any works of
righteousness which we have done. If we do good works in an attempt to be made
right with God, we will end up in condemnation. We are justified by grace alone. Yet Paul said we should be careful to
maintain good works. Our good works are
profitable to us and those around us.
Titus 3:9-10 “But avoid foolish
disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are
unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the
first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is
warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
As we discussed in Titus chapter 1,
there were Jewish people who had accepted Christ on the island of Crete. They were teaching that the Cretans who had
accepted Jesus needed to keep the Old Testament law and to be circumcised. Paul told Titus to avoid striving about these
things. If these Jewish Christians did
not heed the first and second admonitions to quit teaching these things, Titus
was to reject such divisive people.
Oddly enough, some segments of the body of Christ continue to teach that
Christians must keep the Old Testament law.
They keep trying to blend the Old Testament law and New Testament
grace. This leaves people in confusion
and condemnation.
Titus 3:12-15 “When I send Artemas
to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided
to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos
on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And
let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent
needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 15 All who are
with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with
you all. Amen.”
Paul gave
his final greetings and reminds them to maintain good works and meet urgent
needs. We become fruitful in our lives
and benefit others as we reach out to them in kindness and love.
Keith
Oliver
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