TITUS - Honorable

TITUS

Yes, the whole book. It’s very easy to sit and read each chapter, analyze what’s there, how it was said, words used, and so on. I somehow imagine Titus getting this letter and reading the whole thing, several times, and then sharing it with other pastors around him or other spiritually-minded men he knew. I could be really wrong, and I can’t see him pausing after chapter one, diagramming the sentence, comparing the Greek, etc. We do that, because we can, but let me challenge you simply to read this whole epistle. It really might take 10-15 minutes.

What strikes me is the number and types of lists provided. Take note of them as you read.

Qualifications of elders/pastors. Titus was given responsibility to oversee the appointing of those who would lead the churches in the cities on this island. Parallel with 1 Timothy 3, the lists vary a bit, perhaps due to specifics of each distinct culture.

Titus was opposed by Judaizers, people who would teach that one had to be Jewish before becoming a Christian, including circumcision. Paul instructs him to not try to convince them of their error, but rather to silence them. Sounds strong, and it sounds important. Silence error. But most of all, if these people say they are Christians, their actions will give them away, showing their true hearts.

Older and younger men and women are addressed. We can all read the do’s and don’ts of each, and then we can see the primary reason for God’s grace appearing, with salvation being brought to all men: that we would be instructed to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, live sensibly, righteously, and godly. Salvation should trigger sanctification, and true sanctification is only possible because of salvation.

And just why did Christ give Himself? To redeem us, to purify for Himself a people, and for those people to be zealous for good deeds. It all points to Christ. God has always desired a people to follow Him, and for us now, salvation is that step that makes us one of His. That should be very comforting.

Prior to our salvation, we were indeed foolish, with a whole host of issues listed in chapter 3. Our life was about us. The new life that is given at salvation should cause us to live for Him, putting aside ourselves. This is a lesson I continue to try to learn and live. Paul makes it clear that those who are God’s should be careful to engage in good deeds (for Him). Doing so would naturally help those around us, and this only adds to our supposed new selfless mindset.

I believe it more than ever now, what we believe will truly be reflected in our lives. Sure, we see “snapshots” of others, and only each of us truly knows what we really believe, and we make choices based on that belief system. Yet when the unbeliever talks with me, and works with me, and sees me at the store, and gets a glimpse of where I prioritize, what does he think I believe? Let’s learn, believe, then engage.