Thoughts on Titus – Part 2
TIT 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
It is grace that brings salvation. We are saved by grace and not of works. And this grace for salvation is offered to all men. And the grace of God also teaches us after we are saved that we should live accordingly.
TIT 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
A Christian still has a free will and he can chose to not live correctly. He does not lose his salvation but it is very clear that he is not pleasing his Lord and Saviour. Christianity changes our eternal destination from Hell to Heaven (There is no purgatory, only Heaven and Hell are in the Bible). The power of the grace of God that bringeth salvation is the only way to change our destination.
But its power does not stop there. God’s grace also has the power to deny worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. This is the will of Jesus for everyone who has received Him as savior.
We are to look for His coming.
TIT 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Our desire should be to see Jesus appearing. And our desire should be that when Jesus comes that He finds us living as He wants us to live that we will not be ashamed at his appearing.
A Christian is to live like Jesus could come today. This is one of the huge problems with those who believe the error of a mid-tribulation rapture. Anyone who believes in a mid-tribulation rapture will not look for Jesus’ appearing because the tribulation has not started. They are looking for the tribulation first. That is a non-biblical view. Mid tribulation rapture is a very serious error that does have very real and practical implications. The worst of which is not living looking for Jesus’ coming and living like it each and every day.
TIT 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
What a Great Verse! We are to be looking not for just anyone. We are looking for that blessed hope. We are looking for Jesus. The only true hope that there is. And remember that Biblical hope is different than what this world calls hope. This hope is not a maybe or a pie in the sky wish. NO this hope is guaranteed; it is assured. He is coming again. And notice what it calls His appearing. “the glorious appearing” He is not coming this time in humility. This time He is coming in glory! And watch the wording real close of who is coming. “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” Those of you who are bible readers know that it is Jesus who is coming back. The Father stays on the throne. So it is not God the Father and Jesus who is coming back. It is Jesus. The meaning is clear. The one who is coming is Jesus and He is God. He is both God and Saviour. This is the deity of Jesus. There is one God and He is manifested to us in three distinct personalities. God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son. These 3 are one. Jesus in His glory is coming. Are you ready? Will you be glad to see Him? Are you looking for Him to return?
TIT 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Jesus Christ did not die for us and pay our penalty so that we can go on in our wicked ways. There is to be a change in us after we are saved. We are to be new creatures in Christ. Granted we don’t completely change overnight, but it is normal for us to start on a growth process after we get saved. And as we grow in the Lord we put away more and more sin. We become more pure in that we grow closer to the Lord and farther away from this wicked world. Jesus gave Himself for us not only to save us for eternity but also to, “purify unto himself a peculiar people”. We are to be different than the world. We should look different, act different, and think different.
As we grow closer to Jesus we should become more and more zealous of good works. We should want to do more and more for Christ. If you don’t want to do more for Jesus this year than last, then you have not grown this year.
TIT 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
It is important to keep the context of the verses before this in mind. What are these things that the Pastor is to speak and exhort with all authority?
TIT 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
TIT 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
TIT 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
These things are teaching Christians to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and teaching them to live godly in this present world and that Christians are to live each day like Jesus could come today.
You would think that these things would be popular messages for Christians to hear where all the Christians would say Amen and Amen when they heard them. After all this is the way Jesus wants you to live after you get saved and after all Jesus is worthy. And His commands are not grievous. His commands are for our best and our good. These things that the pastor is to speak, exhort and rebuke with all authority are good and honest and right and correct and are what Jesus wants taught.
However, it is sad but true, when a pastor preaches these things he will often have resistance from some in the congregation. Verse 15 is teaching that a pastor is not to change course because someone despises him for teaching what God instructs him to teach. Instead of backing off or being silent the pastor is to confront those in his congregation who are despising him for teaching these things.
The pastor cannot change a heart. He cannot stop someone from despising him. But he can confront them. He can use his authority. And if the person will not stop the despising, then for the good of everyone else in that local church the person needs to take their despising somewhere else.
The Pastor is to let no man despise him in the local church for teaching the things in verses 12 -14. And if Christians would read the book of Titus and let it affect their heart then there would be far fewer people in the congregation who would despise the pastor for preaching these things.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
As Christians we are to be in subjection to the government that we are living under. The government makes laws that we might not like, but we are to obey them anyway. They can raise our taxes and we are to pay them. They can set a speed limit of 35mph where it clearly should be 50mph. These kinds of laws are to be obeyed regardless of what we think about them.
The Bible teaches that we are to be in subject to the powers that God has put over us. This then brings up the question, are we to obey the government no matter what? The answer is no. If the government tells us to do something that is against what God says, then we are to obey God and not man. For example if the government say that we cannot assemble for worship, then we must not listen to them because the Bible clearly teaches otherwise.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
If the government tells us to quit preaching against the sin of homosexuality, then we must not listen to them because we are commanded by God to preach the whole counsel of God.
In short we are to be in subject to the powers of government even if we do not like it, unless what the government is telling us to do is against the clear teaching of the Word of God.
Paul continues in chapter 3 telling Titus even more things to teach Christians on how they are to live.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
TIT 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Christians are to be a force of good. They are to be ready to do every good work. And we are to show meekness. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is the power to control yourself even in difficult situations. Meekness is the power of God working thru you to show gentleness to all men.
Before salvation we acted differently to those who disagreed with us. We were foolish and acted with envy and malice and even at times hateful. That is the sin nature in control. We might have been under control part of the time or even most of the time. Many of us were quick to speak evil of those who did not think like we did. Paul says in verse 3 that we were sometimes this way.
TIT 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Before salvation we had no power to show forth the love of God because we had not yet received Jesus as our savior and the Holy Spirit had not indwelt us yet.
TIT 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
After we got saved the kindness and love of God resides within us and He gives us the grace To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
This is the way that pastors are to instruct people to live.
TIT 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
You either believe in works or you believe in the Bible. That is your only two choices. The Bible is so clear on it. Man cannot save himself. It is NOT by works of righteousness which we have done. Salvation is not from anything that you do. Joining a church does not save. Getting baptized does not save. Doing good deeds does not save. Our righteousness is no good. It cannot pay for our sin. Salvation is according to his mercy; he saved us. He did it all by Himself.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Jesus does not need anyone’s help. He purged our sins by himself. And then He sat down on the throne because there was no more work to be done. Jesus said it is finished. There is nothing more to be done. Salvation is done. He did all the work. It is a free gift. We only have to accept it.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Since the Bible is so clear on salvation thru grace by faith and NOT of works, why do so many people believe in works? I can sum it up in one word. Pride. Works appeals to the sinful prideful heart of man. I hope that you have put away your pride, and called out to God for His mercy to save you.
TIT 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
TIT 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
We do not reform! We are regenerated. When we turn from the world and sin and turn to Jesus (that is repentance) and call upon Him to save us, then the Holy Spirit moves in. We were dead in trespasses and sins and it is God who quickens us and makes us spiritually alive. It is completely a work of God.
And this regeneration and renewing is powerful and abundant.
TIT 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
And since we are now declared just by His mercy and grace we are now heirs of eternal life. Now that we are saved we should live like it. This is a recurring theme in the book of Titus.
TIT 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Once saved we should be careful to maintain good works. But make note of the reason given. It is not to maintain our salvation. Salvation is a free gift and cannot be lost. We did nothing to earn our salvation and we can do nothing to lose our salvation. The reason we are to be careful to maintain good works is because they are good and profitable to others.
This fits right in with what Jesus said. Jesus taught there are 2 great commandments. First Love God and the second is like unto it Love thy neighbor as thyself. Doing good works is a practical way to live like Jesus wants and to love thy neighbor as thyself.
I am sure you have heard the statement that there are no stupid question. That is actually not true. I have heard some stupid questions in my day. 2 + 2 is 4. I really want it to be 5, why can’t it be 5? That is a stupid question. In verse 9 we learn that there are also foolish questions and the pastor is to avoid them.
TIT 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Pro 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding,
Pro 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
A fool is who will ask foolish questions and they do not want understanding, they are asking the foolish questions to be meddling and stirring up strife. Since the motivation is wrong and they don’t want to learn then a pastor is not to play their game and avoid such questions.
The pastor is also to avoid questions about genealogies and questions or discussions that are contentious, as well as strivings about the law. Some people love to argue. They argue for the sake of arguing. For them that is the point. Avoid this. Others will love to strain at a gnat and at the same time they will be swallowing a camel. Arguing about some little thing with someone like this is unprofitable and vain.
You never get anywhere with a fool that wants to argue or a legalist that wants to argue.
After instructing Titus to avoid these kind of questions and arguments he tells Titus how to respond. A few people will take the hint and go on their way, but many fools will set themselves on having an argument. For these people we are to admonition them and after doing that twice then simply reject them.
TIT 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
TIT 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Leave people like that in the hands of God to deal with. They have condemned themselves by rejecting Him. Maybe in time and God working in circumstances they will get to a point where they start asking honest questions with the motivation of finding the truth and wanting the answers.
TIT 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
TIT 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
TIT 3:14 And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
TIT 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
I appreciate the ending of Paul’s letters. You see so many people mentioned who got involved in God’s work and who were a huge help to Paul. If you remember from our study thru Acts, when Paul started out nobody wanted him and was told to just go back home to Tarsus. Paul was told to just quit. Paul’s zeal was not enough to get others involved. God then worked and moved in the heart of Barnabas and later others and by the time that Paul writes these later letters there are many people mentioned that are laboring along with Paul in the work.
The world is in desperate need of more Christians who let God stir their hearts to be helpers and will get involved in God’s work. Amen and Amen!