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Live
the Truth, Teach the Truth
INTRODUCTION Titus
like Timothy, was one of the young converts who worked with the Apostle
Paul, they traveled and suffered with him, as he planted churches on his
missionary journeys. Paul
as the chief Servant and Minister of God, an Apostle, had these young men
were evangelists, and it were, vice-Apostles working under his direct
command. Paul sent these young
men who co-labored with him, as apostolic delegates to do special work in
different places.
Titus was a Greek (Galatians 2:3), regarded by Paul as his partner and fellow helperr (2 Cor. 8: 23), his brother (2 Cor. 2:13), and as his son (Titus 1:4). Galatians
2:1 tells us that he went up with Paul to the church at Titus’
character was obviously very different from that of Timothy, and he seems
to have been stronger and more mature physically and spiritually. This
Titus kind of personality was obviously needed in the The
sensitive Timothy had the gifts of the Spirit necessary to deal with the
people in the church who had strayed from the truth. All he needed was
encouragement from his beloved Apostle to strengthen his backbone, and not
fear the loud mouths and rebellious behaviour of those false brethren. But
dealing with the type of personalities in So we note that different church situations might require different and specific gifts of the Spirit in addition to the general gifts needed for Pastoral ministry and care. Since human beings do not know the precise needs of the various people in different churches, the Spirit its obviously and logically the only one who should select the representatives for leadership. If leadership is chosen in any of the way, or for any other reasons than those specifically laid out and exercised by the specific direction of the Spirit there is bound to be serious trouble. Paul
wrote three pastoral letter to two of his spiritual sons Timothy and
Titus, and these two young men, converts of Paul, represented Paul in
different churches. Timothy
was instructed to appoint elders in In these letters Paul gave three basic commands. First, both Timothy and Titus were told to guard the faith. Second, they were told to guard the flock by teaching them sound doctrine. Third, they were told to guard the church against false prophets. In this letter to Titus, Paul dealt with the kind of men that should be appointed as elders, and how elders should discharge their duties. These letters therefore have been the supreme guide for men of God who minister to the brethren, and who want to be faithful to the will of God. These three letters comprise a handbook for godly men who want to discern what is in the mind and heart of God, who want to walk in the way of Christ, and who want to understand how the church must function. We know without a shadow of a doubt therefore how the church should function, the qualifications that men who want leadership should meet, how the leaders of the church should behave, and how the members of the church should behave, and the duties enjoined on each. When the church elects ambitious and even apparently capable men to lead the church of God, but who do not meet the God instructed qualifications, and who do not behave in the way he instructed in these three Pastoral Letters, the church has no one to blame but itself. Any
deviation from these guidelines in this handbook is bound to lead to
disaster for the church and for the people of God.
Sadly over the last two thousand years the church has not followed
these instructions from Paul to Timothy and Titus, and corruption has
resulted.
As
we look at these instructions we note that Titus 1:5 declares that the
churches in
“ He was to see all the cities -furnished with good pastors, -to reject and keep out the unmeet and unworthy, -to teach sound doctrine, and instruct all sorts in their duties, -to set forth the free grace of God in man's salvation by Christ, and -with
all to show the necessity of maintaining good works by those who have
believed in God and hope for eternal life from him.”
This was a formidable task, and the nature of the problem that he was told to resolve was a tough one. Paul discussed and characterized the people that Titus would have to deal with in three ways, and he made sure that Titus understood that everybody testified and agreed to the nature of these Cretan people. Titus 1: 13 states that “This testimony is true”. Note
first that Crete is an island about seventy five miles south of One of their own prophets, says Paul in Titus 1:12, described the Cretans as:
That
was the environment in which Titus was labor, and Titus was told to rebuke
them sharply, so that they would be sound in the faith.
Obviously, according to verses 15-16, the national character was
evident in the church, and there were people in the church whose minds and
consciences were corrupted, who professed to know God but their deeds
showed that they had denied him.
One
writer remarked that: “The world had invaded the church instead of the church invading the
world”. Of course, when this happens, as expected the church always has a
problem. It important to remember that Titus was instructed to “ Set in order the remaining matter”, or literally “the things lacking” or “the things in need”. This indicates that Titus was to continue the work of growth that Paul and himself had begun previously. This therefore was both to continue to form the church properly, build up the body, to train and motivate them, but also to ensure spiritual growth. In order to do this he would have to correct the deficiencies and then lead solely in till appointing quantified elders in every church so that the flock would be properly shepherded and grow spiritually. He then stressed qualifications for elders which rested on the fact that they were literally “without indictment or accusation, unchargeable, above reproach.”. There were -domestic qualifications, -personal qualifications, -certain negative qualifications, that is, things they could not be doing, - positive qualifications, that is, things that they should be noted for, - doctrinal qualifications - as well as responsibilities. Titus had a big job of dealing with people who acted like animals, fighting and griping at each other, spending their time in silly controversies, quarrelling, lazy gluttons, easy-going and pleasure loving. Don't laugh, or feel superior, because we were all once like that, says Paul. See Titus 3:3. Note that God did not reject these people but provided someone to help them, and to set things straight. It was in this less than perfect church, with all the negative characteristics, that Paul would find men who were qualified and gifted by the Holy Spirit, who had given evidence in their lives and service in the church, that they were ready to learn and to be led by God, following faithfully his word. All was not lost. God can transform men. Anyone involved with sin or who do not meet the guidelines of God need despair. The honest of heart and the willing can be changed and transformed into effective servants and ministers of God. They can be changed by God and do good works, once they are prepared to receive “ sound doctrine”, and “do good deeds”.
THE TEXT
Verses.
1-6 Summary Paul
identifies five groups of people and exhorts Titus to have them turn away
from hypocrisy. He is now
moving from general issues of church leadership to deal with the various
groups within the church and insist that they are morally obligated to
represent Jesus Christ in their lifestyle before the world in which they
lived. Here
therefore we move into the issue of lifestyle and the necessity that those
who profess the Christian faith fully engage the world, and show that the
new life in Christ reflects the character of God. If
believers do not in their lifestyle reflect the character of God their
testimony will be neutralized. We
must remember that the new life in which we are is otherworldly, not of
this world, and we are to live in a Christian lifestyle and to show the
people who live in this degenerate world that God requires something much
different from them than what they think.
Unfortunately
Christians often forget that the standards to be exhibited in their
lifestyle should not be in line with the standards of the world. But
note now that Paul insists that good works and conduct of the believer
remains connected to the person and work of Christ, our model and example. Titus is to speak the things that are proper and sound doctrine, telling them to live godly lives, which is required by true Christianity. He is to exhort the older men to be models of virtue in their spiritual walk, showing that they had given up the national sport of drinking, and were now dignified, sensible and not foolish. They were to demonstrate that they had a healthy faith, understood who God was, and loved him and their fellows with all their heart, understood that the circumstances of life were designed by God; they were to be steadfast and enduring and always trusting in God. The
older women should show Christ-likeness to the young women, so that they
could see how God operated in the life of a godly woman.
They were not to be malicious gossips, spending their time
slandering other women. They
were not to waste their lives but should teach what is good, encouraging
young wives in sound doctrine, and doing nothing to bring discredit to the
church, but instead to have people realize that Christianity had led women
to better lives.
The younger women were to learn to love their husbands and their children, to live pure lives in a defiled society, to enrich their homes and produce righteous men and woman for the next generation, to be obedient to their husbands and be the bedrock of the family. The young men were to be exhorted to be sensible, to be led in their emotions and passions to the Holy Spirit. Note
that Paul made it clear that actions speak louder than words. They were
all to live lives of purity and to do the things that God wanted them to
do. Their lives should reflect the purity of children of God, and to make
the corrupt Cretan society see how they should behave. Vs.
1. This chapter opens with the
emphatic contrast between Titus and his tasks and responsibilities, and
the things he was to practices, and the views and behaviour of the false
teachers that Paul had described in the previous verse in chapter 1:16. Paul
is therefore communicating to Titus that the scriptures tell us what to
say it and how to live. We are
simply hypocrites if we say we believe the truth of Scripture, then
disregard it. In
verse one, Paul is instructing Titus to teach the word of God, to deliver
the truth as it is laid out in the scripture.
He is not to add to it, or take away from it, because it is
perfect, pure and uncorrupt. It
will in and of itself lead to a healthy and nourishing life.
Upon hearing this words of God, Titus himself will be able to see
the transforming power of God’s word in others, as it has manifested
itself in Paul and himself. Paul
warns Titus to only teach the truth. As
it appears that in that region, there were individuals that were not
teaching the truth, and in fact were teaching fables and myths. Jesus
brought sound teaching, sound words, fitting to give eternal life, and to
change men so that they would behave in a way which was contrary to the
sin nature and the rule of Satan. Sound
teaching our doctrine is therefore not a whole, a relevant theology but
one which would instruct the believers to live godly lives in line with
the instructions now to be given. Clearly
then, healthy teaching is the antidote against the diseases spread by
false teachers. It would lead
to the proper Christian behaviour that the five groups should exhibit. Paul
is advising Titus that as a minister, he has certain obligations to God.
Not only must he watch the way how he carries on discourse with
others, in not departing the truth, but
showing that he was obeying Jesus’ instructions in Matthew
28:19-20 “
Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”. Note
that there is unsound doctrine. These
doctrine are taught by heretics and leads to arrogance, strife, abuses of
the Brethren, support of immoral lifestyle, deviations from clear
scripture teachings, and foolish controversies. Verse 2. Titus is therefore also to take care in appointing those or reminding the senior men and elders in the church of the conduct that is befitting men of their experience. The elders or aged men with a similar title must be vigilant, temperate, dignified, and patient to saw but a few. These men Titus were to instruct, must not be taken with fables and traditions, even though they had lived a longtime and were influenced more by their degenerate culture. They were to be models for the younger men and show by their spiritual walk that they belonged to the Lord and were growing in the Lord. In old age, they should hold steadfast the lessons they have been taught that Paul, so that they may pass this on to younger men. First therefore they had to be sober, not dedicated to maintaining and supporting the proud national reputation of heavy drinking. If they were drunkards they would damage and hurt people. Next they were to be dignified, literally, worthy of respect, honorable, noble. They were to be serious about their lifestyle showing the worth of their position in Christ and bring honour and glory to the name of Christ. Next, they are not to let emotions rule them. The y were to be sensible, not foolish old men. They were to be clearheaded and self-controlled, free from bad kinds of excess, certainly not lazy gluttons. They were to be sound in thought and judgment. They are to let the grace that comes with age assist them in overcoming trials, as they will know to look towards God for strength and deliverance.. Their faith therefore should be healthy living based on the word of God. They should understand who God is, God’s love. They should love God with all their heart, and their neighbour as themselves. They
should be sound in endurance, understanding that God is in control of all
circumstances. They should live patiently, showing that there was hope in
their corrupt world. Vs.
3 The
next division starts likewise, so that those following must be like the
older. The focus is on women, and their role in general.
It starts with older women and their role in the church and home
and then moves to younger women in the same area, but all this information
is given to Titus to pass on to the people at the local church.
In
a similar fashion to the older men, the older women are encouraged to
display attributes of sobriety, temperance, and soundness in faith, to be
charitable and patient. If
these attributes can be found in the older women, then it can be seen in
the work that they will perform for God, and the way how they approach
their lives at home. The
expectation of decorum that these elder women should maintain should be
high as to separate them from the women who do not act with restraint. The
older women should be godly in lifestyle and be models for the younger
women. The
elder women should be reverent in their behaviour, showing the lifestyle
of Christ. They
should not be malicious, gossips, slanderers. They should not be addicted
to wine, that is, excessive drinking.
Obviously the vices of slander, evil speaking, and drunkenness were
common vices in Instead
the older women were to teach what is good and excellent. Paul
indicates that the elder women must
learn to serve God by talking, teaching, witnessing, edifying and even
correcting at the appropriate times, under the guidance of the Spirit, so
that their actions are not misconstrued as self-serving or unholy. Thus
there example and testimony is that of a righteous and holy women.
They are to be humble and courteous, steadfast and just, and are a
blessing to those around them, walking in the power of the resurrected
Christ. Verse
4. Once it has been established that the elder women are righteous, God
fearing women, then they should possess the skills required to mentor the
younger women in the church. The
emphasis on young women seems to lean towards young married women, but any
elder women, would take time to see to the council of young, unmarried
women in the church. The aged
women are to teach the younger ones by word and deed, by demonstrating
that which they have spoken. They
were to teach the younger woman to love their husbands and children.
They shall teach the younger women to be of good character, that is
to say that they should be discreet, sober, and chaste.
So that they may learn so see that there is blessings in the home,
and that it is not a prison. So
that, the vanity and impetuousness that afflict the young will not affect
their lives adversely. That
they may be of good nature, demonstrate meekness, and a pleasant and
cheerful nature, with pleasurable conversation.
This is how true love towards the husband and hence to God
will be manifested. So
that, being in subjection of the husband, is not a burden, but another
example of the maturity in the Spirit.
That way peace, harmony and unity can exist between them.
When it also says that these young women should love their
children, it also means that discipline will be given to ensure that they
learn the values that God wishes them to learn.
Also the young women’s love for their children will not be soft,
but allow for the work of God to be done in them.
Let
us remember the words of Proverbs 14:1 “
The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her
own hands.” This
advice was very important, for then marriages were contracts arranged by
parents. Sometimes the women
would not like the arrangement and this would cause many problems in the
marriage. Any thought of “
loving” or literally “being devoted to their husbands” would be a
difficult task. They would be forced to have many children just to produce
laborers for the family farm, and they themselves were regarded as beasts
of burden.. In this
environment “ loving their children”, literally, “being devoted to
their care and nurture” was a difficult task. The
women therefore would have to be taught how to develop good relationships
with their husband and to love and not resent their children. The
only way the younger woman would live holy, pure, self-controlled lives,
exhibiting love to husband and children would be if they were under the
power of the Holy Spirit. By
behaving in this way they would be following the plan of God and
presenting a picture of righteousness to that terrible world. There
different lifestyle now be a powerful message which even close outside the
church steeped in iniquity would understand. Verse
5. Paul wanted to woman to be
self-controlled and pure, or virtuous and chaste, sexually pure, free from
defilement, faithful in their sex life. They
should be devoted mothers as well as devoted wife, interesting herself
into the many duties of the home which should be the focus of her life. In
this regard we see that the excellent wife shown in Proverbs 31:10-31 runs
her home capably and well, in addition to having a ministry outside of her
own household. This
wife is to be good, kind, subjecting herself voluntarily because of love
for her husband and in obedience to God's ordained plan for the home. All
of this was to be done so that they would not discredit or blaspheme the
name of God and the teachings of Christianity.
If Christian wives follow the way of their culture, accepting its
norms, they would be disdaining the message of God. God had designed
certain things for the home, and these rules apply irrespective of the
culture. Politically
correct views and all kinds of distortions will only increase the view of
women as objects of commerce and exploitation. If
both men and women accept and live as God instructs, they both would be in
far better shape than they are. Verse
6. Paul does not confine his ‘ Live not according to the flesh’
instructions to the older men, the older women , and the younger woman.
His “Likewise” is now turned to the young men.
They
are exhorted to be sober minded in all things.
That means they are to be and behave righteously, holy, patient,
chaste, wise, and prudent in all things.
Of
course, the elder men must see to this, so that God may have use of these
men, and have confidence that they will behave as their models did.
The one word that Paul uses to the younger men was that they are to
be self-controlled, a quality previously stressed which means that they
were to be of sound mind and temperate. Young
men are called upon in the bible for service to God. Since younger men
tend to be added a bit impetuous, unrestrained, gung ho, aggressive, and
think that they can do anything because they are strong, they need
basically to be self-controlled, practicing self restraint on a daily
basis. In
truth this basically means that they have to be in submission to the
control of the Holy Spirit. The younger men have great emotions and
passions and dreams and hopes, but they really do that have the experience
to put it altogether properly, and so they really need to be ruled by the
Holy Spirit. As
Proverbs 16:32 warns, and probably applies more to the younger and namemen
than to others “
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and
he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”
. If
young men are to learn how to behave carefully, something generally very
difficult for them, they have to have good models in older men. Verse 7-8. Paul now tells Titus that he to is too be a model for younger men .His actions should speak as loud at his words. He should be an excellent example, and not just someone who exhorts others to do the right thing. The Christian leader and teacher must be a model of good works in every respect. His responsibility is great. His good deeds were the best way to teach. By his actions everyone would see his virtues and graces bestowed by God, and this would teach the brethren and make them understand what the important things were in life. They would see an actual example of integrity, and how one should live in order to save lives. Those that were opposing him would not find anything to criticize in his doctrine or in his life, and they would be embarrassed into silence. Clearly then ministers of God must remember that their enemies are always watching and these enemies will always try to find holes in their doctrines and in their behavior. Servants of God must make sure that they can be no justifiable criticism against them. Believers must remember that those who are in Christ will be persecuted. Note the word “persecute” means to “pursue”. Living godly will bring persecution, slander and suffering. There might be physical intimidation, which is happening all over the world in this century, as many are dying for Christ, subjected to social injustice and all manner of evil speaking. It is to be noted that godly believers who live according to Christ are increasingly coming under attack from the courts, schools, institutions of higher learning, and even from organized religion. The
minister’s life therefore says Paul, must be strict, grave, sound,
sensible, dignified and open to any examination. Titus’
example, and the example he should share with the brethren will all lead
to a pattern of good works. You
will not have one part of the church working against the other.
But doctrine and behaviour will be consistent and holy.
Each attribute that the elder men and women were to pass on to the
younger will be seen, and manifest itself in the way how they relate to
God. They will all from young
to old, display spiritual maturity and hence, sound speech will leave
their lips, sound doctrine, sincerity, and righteousness will be part of
them. The focus therefore for Titus is on his sound speech, purity of doctrine, which would encourage others to walk righteously, and in addition mute the criticism which would come from those who wanted to put down the church. We must note that we cannot stop criticism, but if the message we bring is backed up by Scripture, we rest secure that there can be no just criticism. The critics will eventually be put to shame and embarrassed. Verses 9-10 give instructions as to the duty of servants. Servants must, as one writer puts it: “
must know and do the duty to the earthly masters, but with an eye to their
heavenly one”. Here
we come to a controversial area. It is well known that there were almost
60 million slaves of almost every nationality in the Slaves
had no rights and could be crucified if he was rebellious. He existed at
the master’s whim. When the slave became a believer, obviously this
would clash often with the requirements of the faith. A
believing slave would therefore have to follow ‘sound doctrine’. He
would have to be morally correct in his behaviour. This
would mean he had to be subject to his master, not argumentative, but
bring peace and joy into the master’s household, faithful, not treating
others as of no value, not a thief, feeling that he could do that because
the master was exploiting him.. Their
behavior should bring merit and honour to God.
Other men should see that these were no very different from the
run-of-the-mill person. Controversy
occurs because the scriptures here does not condemn the practice of
slavery explicitly or teach slaves to revolt.
But neither does it condone slavery. What
it does do however is to tell both slaves and slave owners that they are
certain principles by which they should live if they wanted to be approved
of by God. If both groups actually lived the kind of life specified by
Scripture, frankly slavery would automatically and quickly be abolished. This
kind of approach does not fit well with us because we cannot wait for the
proclamation of the love of Christ to make men realize that all men are
created in the image of God. We
cannot wait until men's hearts are changed and the evils of slavery
become more and more evident. Rather
than attack slavery Paul chooses to give biblical principles which if
followed would have slaves live their lives under the sovereign care of
God. By doing so they would be
powerful witnesses to the power of the gospel. It
must also be said that it was Christians that lead and were very prominent
in the fight to eliminate slavery. Unfortunately
though the practice of slavery still continued as even in modern times. It
should also be pointed out that Paul's instructions aimed at changing the
attitude of slaves, so that they could demonstrate integrity and show
their master that they were different.
They already were under the total control of their master, but now
they had to in their attitudes be under God's authority and holy
principles for life. The duty results from the will of God. They may serve men but the service does not mean and can never mean that this service is contrary to Christ’s will. When they do their duty well this will work to the glory of God and to the credit of Christianity, even in the eyes of unbelieving masters and a corrupt world. Servants must never behave in such a way as to bring dishonor to their Christianity, but must in fact adorn it, letting their light shine among men and thereby bring glory to God. Behavior and actions therefore which are inconsistent with the gospel will not help the world. Inconsistent friends damage the gospel and can even blaspheme it. We must remember that people are always looking for an excuse to reject the gospel, and we should never ever give them one. Titus was to insist that all the people despite their circumstances and situation in life : -live spiritually healthy lives, -avoid dishonoring or blaspheming the Word of God, -ensure that the false prophets and enemies of Christ are put to shame, and - in their godly living reflect the truth of Christ, so that others might come to know that Jesus is Lord and Saviour. Adorning the gospel means no blaspheming, living a life true to the faith, doing exactly what Jesus did, not what we think he would do, and loving, be forgiving, patient, good, kind, and pure morally and in every respect. Verses 11. This verse answers the question as to why it is possible for people to live godly lives despite the level of corruption in the surrounding society and despite their status in the community. The grace of God is the reason. Jesus Christ has come. This grace of God has appeared, and like a powerful light has brought light into a world of darkness, sin, shame and guilt. The Word of life has come to men. When
Jesus came, the grace of God, Jesus, had come to bring salvation to all
men. The gospel of grace is for all men, not just for some men. God is not
willing that any should perish. He
has sent his grace to you, and you have the opportunity to receive it.
It is free to all and with it comes the command that believers are
to disciple all nations and preach the gospel to every creature, without
exception.
Only
Jesus can save us. With salvation has come things that must be obeyed, and
it has rules to which we must pay attention.
All those who receive it and believe it, must walk in its light,
and in everything adorn it. When a person has the grace of God it really means that the greatest power in the universe, the Creator, holds you in his favor. His light has penetrated into the darkness, and this means that God has acted to save men removing sin and guilt. Men have now been given the Holy Spirit so that they can, by that indwelling power be able to live right, to deny ungodliness, that is, to turn away from evil and walk in the ways of God.. They can turn away from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, to live sensibly. Men
can now be trained to reject godlessness simply because Christ has come
and began the work of bringing believers to spiritual maturity, changing
them steadily into the image of Christ. Note that there is a negative and a positive aspect to salvation. It trains us to reject worldly desires, and foolishness, to say ‘no’, ‘absolutely not’ to that, and positively to live upright, godly, self controlled lives, despite the degenerate world around us. Remember that the system of the world is lead by and promoted by Satan and it wants to conform men to his aims, character, and ideas, which are in opposition to the Word of God .The grace of God, the intentions of Jesus. This is a satanic World system, and it aims at thwarting as much as it can the influence of the church on men. When a person lives a self controlled life personally God enables us to die to the world patterns. Uprightness shows itself in integrity, honesty, truthfulness and blessing to the people of the world. To be godly means to have your life centered on God, His will and purpose. He is the primary focus of your affection and worship and he motivates and controlled everything that you do. We are to live that way in this present world. The nonsense of our past has been put away, and we are to renounce them, deny them, avoid them and forget them. Verse 12. The gospel of salvation teaches us just like a parent teaches a young child. It has precepts and commandments, and it directs believers on what to avoid and what to do. It provides the correct ordering of a godly life. The gospel teaches us that we are to renounce ungodliness and have nothing more to do with it. The ungodliness and worldly lusts are in our past. It belongs there. It should never be in our present or in our future. God had given us the Holy Spirit, and we therefore have the power not to live in ungodliness and to obey worldly lusts. Godliness means sober living, righteous living under the control of the Holy Spirit. This means that we have denied or renounced the things of the world, a position that is more than just avoiding the things of the world. Christians recognize that there is that direct duty owed to God, and therefore the religious duties and ordinances that he has laid down are followed. One writer puts it this way: “ Praying to him, praising him, and meditating on his word and works. This is godliness, looking and coming to God, as our state now is, not immediately, but as he has manifested himself in Christ; so does the gospel direct and require. God
in Christ we must look at as the object of our hope and worship.
Thus must we exercise ourselves to godliness, without which there
can be no adorning of that gospel which is according to it, which teaches
and requires such a deportment.”
Verse 13-15. We are freed from the power of sin, and we look forward to the blessed hope, which is the appearing of the Lord Jesus in all his glory. Sober, righteous, and godly living prepares us, and we look toward the accomplishing of our hope. We live in fact knowing that our citizenship is in heaven, and we look for Jesus' second coming, to remove the curse and the presence of sin forever and reward his servants. The gospel is set up in such a way that this blessed hope automatically stirs up all believers to live godly, thanking God for the opportunity he has given them by his grace. Believers know that the coming of Jesus will confound, terrify and confuse their enemies, for at that time they really receive justice for their many wrongs committed. Paul told Titus to remind the believers that Jesus had given himself for two purposes. These two purposes are most important. First,
Jesus had to sacrifice himself to redeem us from every unlawful deed.
This means that when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he comes
to us personally and gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and in that act
sets us free from the power of Satan and from the inclination to follow
the way of this world. His
redemption set thus free from sin, lawlessness, and death. In verse 13 Paul makes an extremely strong statement about the deity of Christ, and he goes on to tell us the great contribution that Jesus made to us. The next purpose for Jesus' death is to purify our lives, so that we would fulfill all the requirements of being a peculiar people, specially picked out by him, and now so transformed that we would be zealous to do good works. Clearly then as one writer puts it: “
All the problems, all the heartaches, all the struggles we are having are
designed by God to purify us from the values and the philosophies of the
world.”
With this, men we must behave in such a way that we show and demonstrate that we are denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, always living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Note that redemption from sin and sanctification of our nature go hand-in-hand and therefore we are made a peculiar people, purified by the Spirit. No one therefore who has truly accepted the gospel can live a wanton, immoral, and iniquitous life, indulging in vain conversations. One writer properly exhorts: “
Let us see then that we do good, and have zeal in it; only looking that
zeal be guided by knowledge and spirited with love, directed to the glory
of God, and always in some good thing.
And thus of the motive to the duties directed, from the end of
Christ's death.”
All
these teachings must be communicated. Speaking must be done, things should
not be hidden. Exhortations
must be made, for exhortation means to encourage and comfort.
Men must be appealed to, called on to respond to the truth.
Sensitivity must be exercised every situation. Rebuke
must also be done to bring conviction.
This word means to bring to the light, to expose, for sin must be
exposed to bring conviction and then correction or spiritual change. Every
sinner needs to have his eyes opened and those that are misguided must be
made to see their mistake. Those
that are not paying attention must be prodded into becoming awake. All
his must be done with authority, command. Titus
is then pulled not allow anyone to disregarding, despise him, overlook
what he is saying. He is to
speak with authority, and insist on men appearing his message, behaving in
such a way that men will want to hear him and his truth. CONCLUSION
The
Godly
leaders are to feed and guide believers and they should live godly lives
in this corrupt society and be an example to their flock. The
godly leaders are to be prepared to constantly remind their flock of the
truth of God, to repeat over and over again, the instructions of God, to
show love and patience in this work. All
believers live in a godless society. They
must remember the kindness of God our Saviour to them personally.
They should remember God’s love for all men, which he showed by
sending his Son to die for us, and sending his Spirit to empower us.
The believers should therefore work tirelessly and patiently, until
Jesus comes, when eternal life will be ours. The
call therefore is to engage in good deeds until Jesus comes. It
will not be so difficult to do this if we have hearts full of
thankfulness, and if we keep reminding ourselves that we have been given
sound doctrine, which we must use daily through the power of the Holy
Spirit. Remember
what you are saved for. We
are to speak the truth and we are to live the truth. Those who profess to
be Christians have no choice.. If we do not speak the truth and live the
truth we will be found to be liars, and we will be lost.
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