Titus 3

READ: Titus 3

REFLECT:

Paul is obviously writing a private message to his son-in-the-faith, Titus, and wants him to understand the formidable nature of the problem he is to resolve. He is dealing with people who are characterised in these three ways, and he underscores this by saying, "This testimony is true," (Titus 1:13a). These people are like this and as we look at the message of this letter, we see that these three characteristics of the Cretan people seem to be described and amplified in various passages. For example, Paul says about certain ones,

To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds [they're liars]; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed. (Titus 1:15-16)

Now this was the kind of society in which the Christian church was living, and this was the kind of national character that Titus was up against. Here were people whose minds and consciences were corrupt -- they profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds.

He also calls them "evil beasts," that is, they were like animals in their attitudes toward one another. That theme is amplified in chapter 3, where the apostle says,

But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

These words are referring primarily to those who at least professed to be Christian, but who were reflecting the attitudes of the world around.

RELATE:

When the church has a problem, it is because the world is invading the church instead of the church invading the world. The gospel is intended to be a disturbing element, to change society. Therefore, whenever the church is true to its authentic message, it is always against the status quo. The church is a revolutionary body -- it always has been -- and we can thus be very much in sympathy with some of the revolutionary movements of our own day. But the difference is that the church challenges the status quo with the power of God, something that no other organization or group can do.

Now what would you do with people who acted like animals, snarling and griping at one another, people who engaged in stupid controversies and quarrels over the law, and who were factious one with another -- how would you handle people like that? That was not all; these people were further characterised as "lazy gluttons," easy-going, pleasure-loving people. This too is amplified in chapter 3, where the apostle speaks not only of them, but also of himself and of all men as they are before they become Christians. Here is an amazing description of the world as God sees it:

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another... (Titus 3:3)

This is the kind of a world into which the apostle sent this young man, with the power of the gospel.

Now the basic need of these people was to have "sound doctrine," a phrase that occurs several times throughout the letter. Paul knew that to change society, people must be told the truth -- this is the problem with men and women everywhere. This is why they walk in darkness and act like animals, tearing one another apart and hating one another -- because they do not understand themselves or the world. So you have to begin by teaching them truth.

Along with that is another very basic need -- the matter of "good deeds." That phrase appears five times; chapter 1 closes with that idea, "unfit for any good deed," (Titus 1:16b) Then in chapter 2, "Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech," (Titus 2:7-8a). Chapter 2 also closes with that idea, "to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds," (Titus 2:14b). In chapter 3 it says, "be careful to apply themselves to good deeds," (Titus 3:8b RSV), and once again, "let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds," (Titus 3:14a).

Isn't this what the church is looking for, what the world is looking for? Sound doctrine -- good, solid teaching, straight from the shoulder revelations of truth -- and good deeds to back them up and prove the reality of the teaching. Now, first, as to doctrine, the apostle emphasised several points. To begin with, they had to be clear about the basis of men's salvation. How do you change human hearts? Today we are still striving to change people's nature by education, by legislation, and by a change of atmosphere or environment. But as someone has well said, "If you bring a pig into the parlour, it won't change the pig, but it will certainly change the parlour!" This is the problem here; so they needed to know the truth about salvation. In chapter 3 the apostle says,

...but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us... (Titus 3:4-5a)

He saved us. He is the only one who can. He saved us -- we did not save ourselves. In fact, he goes on to say that:

...not because of deeds done by us in righteousness... (Titus 3:5b)

Everyone tries to do good deeds. But good deeds will not save you, and the apostle makes that clear. Only the Saviour can save; and he goes on to point this out:

...he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit... (Titus 3:5)

He makes us over from the inside; he does not patch us up from the outside. He does not give us a new leaf to turn over, or try to bolster up our moral courage a bit, or get us to try a little harder, but he changes us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

Psychology is absolutely helpless when it comes to that kind of a procedure. But the gospel does what neither psychology or anything else can do. The supreme message of the church is to declare and proclaim this great good news that there is a means of being regenerated and renewed in the Holy Spirit,

...which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:6-7)

REST:

Now when the Bible speaks of hope, it does not speak of only a faint possibility, the way the world speaks of hope: "I hope I'll be rich some day," or, "I hope I'll be healthy." But when the New Testament speaks of hope, it is a certainty: the hope of eternal life rests upon the One who came to give us eternal life, and we are justified by his grace. 

TAN TEE KHOON