Titus, Chapter 3
© Copyright 1998 Darroll Evans-all rights
reserved
Titus 3:1-2
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all
meekness unto all men.
One of our duties on earth is to remind other
Christians that we are to be subordinate to this world's governmental
authorities while we are here. We should be obedient to them, and ready to
render good for evil.
We are not to malign others, or to be
quarrelsome. Instead, we are to be gentle to all as much as is within us (Roman
12:18).
Titus 3:3-4
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.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
One reason we are to be at peace with others
is that we were once foolish ourselves. Before God's mercy, grace, and peace
entered our lives, we were disobedient, deceived, and held hostage to various
lusts and sinful passions.
As unrepentant sinners, we spent our lives
wallowing in malice and envy. Prior to Christ becoming Lord of our lives we
were hateful, and hating one another.
However, that is past tense. Now the kindness
of our Savior is acting in our lives.
Unfortunately, some of us or perhaps too many
of us reflect too little of God's loving kindness. God's love, in the form of
Christ Jesus, has appeared for the purpose of cleansing us of our sinful
nature.
Sometimes we forget on which side of the
cross we live. Grace is now the dominant message.
Titus 3:5-8
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;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to
the hope of eternal life.
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.
Christ Jesus has saved us! He has not saved
us as a result of our good deeds.
Oh, we do have good deeds, but they were
accomplished AFTER we accepted Christ. We are saved in response
to His mercy, and grace.
We are renewed by the washing, or
regeneration of His Word (Ephesians 5:26)and by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration
is accomplished totally by grace, plus nothing.
This may seem to be a strange place to bring
up baptism, but we are not baptized for the remission of sins. We are immersed
to indicate or demonstrate the remission of our sins.
God poured out His Holy Spirit on us in a
more than adequate fashion. He dealt with our sins through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior.
Being justified by His grace we have become
heirs in the kingdom through faith, the hope of everlasting life. Our life is
in Christ. It is not in any works.
Paul begins verse 8 by telling Titus that
this is an honest and unfailing statement. It concerns the things Paul wants
Titus to zealously affirm.
We zealously affirm God's love for the same
reason Titus did. It is to encourage others in the faith, so that those who
believe may also, with patience, take part in God's ordained good deeds.
Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned
of himself.
As Followers of Christ, we are to avoid
senseless arguments and genealogies. Now that seems odd that Paul, who had an
impeccable family tree, would tell others to avoid bragging and debating such.
Let me put it this way, your mama can't save
you. Your third cousin twice removed on you paternal Grandfather's side can't
save you.
Only a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ can redeem you from sin's curse. Such debates, bragging, and arguments
accomplish nothing.
Paul only brought up his genealogy
(Philippians 3:5-7) to prove how irrelevant it was. We are also to shun
arguments and disputes about the Mosaic Law. Those things are fruitless and
good-for-nothing.
Paul recommends that we reject anyone that
follows false doctrine. We should do that in accordance with the rules set
forth in Galatians 6.
We must use caution in this matter. But,
after multiple warnings, we must come to understand that some men will continue
in their sins.
Let me share a verse with you that few, if
any, preach. I have never heard it in a sermon.
2 Peter 2:22 But it has happened to them according to the true
proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having
washed, to her wallowing in the mire." (NKJV)
Such vulgar men are spiritually perverted.
Their sin has resulted in self-condemnation.
Having done all we can do…we have done all we
can do.
Leave those things in the hands of God. Both you
and the offending one will be better for it.
Titus 3:12-13
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.
13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that
nothing be wanting unto them.
Paul tells Titus that he will send Artemas to
help or replace Titus in the work on
Another that he may have sent was Tychicus.
He was a trusted worker in the early Church. Among the many jobs Tychicus did
is that of a courier. He helped to take letters from Paul to Philemon,
Ephesians, and Colossians. He also was chosen to take the Church collection to
the Christians in need in
Apparently at this writing, Paul had decided
spend a season in Nicopolis. It is located on the western coast of
Modern American Lawyers are, as a group, not
held in high esteem. However, many are upstanding Christians. A few Pastors
today began work as successful Attorneys. Undoubtedly, Zenas was of that
variety. Titus was also to see that Zenas and Apollos had all the support they
need in their work for Christ.
Titus 3:14-15
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that
they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
"Ours" refers to Christians. We
should learn to do good works. Many "good" works come under the
"acquired response" category. In this matter Christians are not to be
"unfruitful."
The benediction is standard with Paul,
however it is also one blessing that cannot be overused. I pray that you will
internalize Paul's teaching of Grace through Christ. Grace to you. Amen.