Upright and Godly
CLASS 4 ISSUES
Study Scripture: Titus 1: 1 – 3; 2: 11 – 15
Background Scripture: Titus 1: 1 – 3; 2: 11 – 15
Devotional Reading: Psalm 37: 27 – 40
Lesson12 August17, 2024
Key Verse
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3: 4 – 5
Read more: UPRIGHT AND GODLYINTRODUCTION
This world is a dangerous one for Christian believers. The Bible calls Satan the “god of this world” for as part of his rebellion against the Lord God Almighty he has corrupted the world and its people using subtle, deceitful, and skillfully devised tactics and wiles to turn believers into doing what God has forbidden.
This rebellious being, previously called Lucifer, Son of the Dawn had been created a powerful angel with access to God the Father. But because he was so beautiful and talented this created being thought he could become equal to the Most High God and he managed to get one-third of the angels to join him in rebellion.
As one would expect, he was fought by the other holy angels and thrown out of heaven.
He has therefore from then spent his time on earth working hard to corrupt man and have man join in his rebellion. The Lord Jesus Christ told us in Scripture that this being is a liar and the father of lies, a murderer, and a deceiver and trickster. He started his earthly career as a deceiver and murderer with Adam and Even and from then the problems started for us human beings.
It is most important that we pay close attention to our Lesson Study for it takes us in the School of God which teaches us how saved people are to think, to behave, and to live.
Our Lesson Study directs us on how to live for Christ in a sinful world.
It is so tempting for believers to follow the wrong path that it is often the case that believers lose their nerve and will say that when they meet non-Christian friends or associates, it is not a Christian thing to attempt to state their faith or to defend their faith. They are embarrassed that they are Christians.
Much of this attitude in the church today comes from their failure of knowledge. This causes them to love power and want control of others. This was the sin of Satan and many willingly fall into that trap.
When both failures are put together we have persons who profess to know God but in the things they do they deny Him. Totus 1:16 say they therefore they are “being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate”.
They are unfruitful, insincere, have put them subject to principalities and powers (Chapter 2 Verse 16).they do not do good works in their private life or in their public life.
The Apostle Paul is writing this Letter to his spiritual son and confidant Titus who he travelled with and empowered as an apostolic legate to appoint leaders, teach them sound doctrine, and correct them. These church leaders are men required to accept responsibilities for the life of all age group, for men and women,
So we will see the Apostle laying down rules that these aged men who are to be appointed as leaders are to pass the test of qualification. They must be. as a list of 18 things show, to be sober, grave, temperate, The aged women in the church are to manifest behaviour becoming holiness.
So, let us understand that we are looking at the School of God which is based on the principle of Grace. It is a School where the Holy Spirit freely teaches the gracious things of God the Father. God the Father is therefore referred to as our Saviour because it is He who gave us the gift of His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.
We are now studying the School of Life and so it teaches us the lessons of life where we learn our responsibilities.
Be careful to note therefore that since we have been redeemed we are exhorted to do good works and not to in our human way, fake them.
Do not fool yourself to think you can do good works on your own strength to please God. Jesus looks at you exactly how you are, and so He stated that He came not to save the righteous, but to bring sinners to repentance.
We now will learn not only by instruction but we are told we will have learned by experience. Our training involves discipline, for God teaches us positively, and He teaches us negatively.
Church history has taught us that those godly men who wanted to be faithful to the will of God have always had to go back and rely on the word of God.
The Apostle therefore will not have to give us a handbook which will enable us to discern what is in the mind and heart of Christ, help us walk in the way of Christ, understanding how His church is to function.
Do not regard casually the extensive and gruelling travelling the Apostle did and the great and demanding work he carried out. By looking at what he did we have a model for all the workers for God, and so we must simply ignore those who claim nowadays to be apostles, for their life is generally one of profligacy, that is, living a life of ease and luxury, and living off the poor and the easily deceived.
It is important to note carefully the Salutations in letters of the Roman world. In Paul’s day, typically they identified the writer, the recipient along with a standard greeting. The Apostle however was much more expansive with his salutations which often included significant doctrinal statements as we find in his letter to Titus. In just four verses Paul mentions faith, election, salvation, …..
Titus is one of three (1 & 2 Timothy) Epistles of Paul called ‘pastorals’ in light of their heavy emphasis on church-life and structure, addressing all groups that comprise congregations in all ages.
Whereas Paul wrote other letters to specific groups of believers in particular locations (examples: Galatians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:1), the Pastoral Epistles were written to particular individuals: Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2) and Titus. The latter were not pastors per se but apostolic legates or representatives who had to sometimes function as church leader. But they came to different people as Paul’s personal representative with his power and authority behind them.
Paul designated Titus as “mine own son after the common faith” (Titus 1:4).
Importantly, these letters were to be read to congregations which would help to establish the authority of Titus and Timothy.
Look carefully at what the Apostle calls “ the common faith”.
One scholar therefore has now to ask us as we study “What do you really believe?”
“What is your faith?”.
We hope this Study will have you look at yourself in a different way, and ask yourself whether your church is following the apostolic directions.
The letter to Titus involved events that occurred after the conclusion of the Book of Acts, but we have no exact knowledge of the sequence. One writer tells us that there is much debate on this. He states:
“There is much debate over the sequence of events that led up to the apostle’s writing of these Pastoral Epistles. It may, however, have been as follows. After Paul was released from his four-year imprisonment in Rome, he was arrested in Jerusalem for speaking out against the Jewish tradition, the Law of Moses and the customs.
He was taken to Caesarea, in Palestine, and put into a Roman prison for two years (60-61 A,D,) From there he was taken to Rome, placed under house arrest from 61 to 62 A.D., and then released because none of the Jews showed up to press charges against him.
There is some indication that he then went to Spain and to England. (Before he went to Spain he sent Timothy to Philippi).
Clement of Rome wrote in 96-97 A.D.
“ Paul…having taught righteousness to the whole world, having gone to the limits of the West, having given testimony before the rulers thus passed from the world and was taken up in the Holy Place, having become the outstanding model of endurance”.
“Having gone to the limits of the West”, probably means Spain, even England, perhaps. Then Paul returned to Philippi, where Timothy joind him and they went to Ephesus together. Paul left Ephesus, went back to Macedonia and wrote to Timothy the letter we call 1 Timothy.
Next, Paul went to Macedonia in northern Greece, with Titus, his other spiritual son, and travelled down to the island of Crete to minister there for a short period of time. Paul left titus there, returned to Philippi, from where he wrote the letter to Titus.
Later, Paul went to Asia Minor, where he was arrested. (It seems he had to leave quickly because, according to 2 Timothy, he asked Timothy to bring his parchments and his cloak).
Paul was among a group of Christians accused by Nero of burning down the city of Rome, and placed in a dungeon. During that imprisonment he wrote 2 Timothy, asking Timothy to join him. Very soon after he wrote that letter, Paul was taken outside the city of Rome and was beheaded.
In his letter to Titus, Paul lays out instructions for elders in that day and for all the centuries since”..
By the time Paul wrote to Titus, it is clear the Apostle had been released from his imprisonment in Rome and found an occasion to visit the island of Crete. While visiting, Paul evangelized and started some churches. It is likely, however, that the Gospel had already reached Crete many years earlier through unnamed believers (Acts 2:11).
Paul was accompanied on Crete by one of his most trusted associates, a Gentile believer named Titus (Galatians 2:3). The book of Acts does not mention Titus by name. Still, he figures prominently in the letters of Paul.
Titus was likely led to the Lord by Paul and subsequently became one of the apostle’s protégés (Titus 1:4). He was with Paul since the Apostle’s early ministry. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their mission of mercy to the Jerusalem church, when Paul was laboring in Antioch of Syria, which was Titus’ home. This occurred before Paul’s first missionary journey (Gal. 2:1; Acts 11:27-30).
Titus also served as Paul’s special representative to the Corinthian church during Paul’s third missionary journey. He carried the “severe letter” from Ephesus (2 Cor. 12:18; cf. 2 Cor. 2:3-4; 7:8-12) and, returning to Ephesus through Macedonia, he met Paul in Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:6-16). He was, in addition, the leader of the group of men whom Paul sent to the churches in Macedonia and Achaia in order to pick up the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:6, 16, 23).
Titus’ character was obviously very different from that of Timothy. He seems to have been stronger and more mature physically and spiritually.
This ‘Titus’ kind of personality was obviously needed in the island of Crete, for strength in every respect was needed to deal with these tough people. Accordingly, Paul did not seem very concerned about Titus’ welfare and ability to deal with the problems he faced, as he had been concerned with Timothy.
The sensitive Timothy had the necessary gifts from the Spirit 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 Crete who were suffering from severe behaviour disorders, consequent on their fall from power and a high level of civilization, Paul wisely sent Titus.
So, 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 is obviously and logically the only one who should select the representatives for leadership.
If leadership is chosen in any other way, or for any other reason than those specifically laid out and exercised by the specific direction of the Spirit, there is bound to be serious trouble.
Paul wrote these Pastoral letters to two of his ‘spiritual’ sons Timothy and Titus, and these two young men, converts of Paul, represented him in different churches.
Timothy was instructed to appoint elders in Ephesus and to organize that church along godly principles, while Titus was instructed to appoint elders in Crete and organize those churches along godly lines.
Paul wrote his letter to Titus in about A.D. 65 after leaving the island. He left Titus behind to correct a chaotic situation in the Cretan churches. Most importantly, Titus needed to place an eldership in each congregation (Titus 1:5).
Note Crete was famous in antiquity as a source of culture and religion. The Cretans however, were not highly esteemed in the Roman world. In Titus 1:12, Paul quotes a native Cretan “prophet” who describes his own people as “liars, evil beasts, [with] slow bellies. That latter phrase meant “lazy gluttons”.
Crete was an island of 3,200 square miles where the famous Minoan civilization flourished two hundred years before the birth of Christ. This was once a place of high civilization but now the population was only famous for fraud and ferocity. Their falsehood was proverbial. The wine was abundant and very available and faous there, and it was not surprising the people were generally always intoxicated. Drunkenness prevailed and it was indeed painful to see how far these famous people had sunk.
The church in Crete was troubled by people who professed to know God but lived demonstrably different lives (Titus 1:16). Such people had deceived others, disrupted the community (1:10–11), and brought needless controversy to the church (3:9–10).
Today’s Lesson reveals Paul’s solution to this challenging situation. What the church in Crete needed was “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1) and training in godliness (see 1:1; 2:12). This is the nitty-gritty of helping believers mature into godly men and women. Paul wanted Titus to grow the church by grounding them in the truth of the gospel and encouraging lives of holiness.
Titus was tasked with setting the churches in order and this included dealing with false teachers
(1:10-11). Consequently, there is a significant emphasis on doctrine which also served as a basis for the moral and ethical behavior enjoined on its readers to this day.
Cretans then had a reputation for being idle and dishonest (1:12). These traits apparently characterized even some of the Christians as well as the false teachers (3:14). Part of Titus’ task was to instill industry in his readers.
Paul forcefully urged the essential connection between evangelical truth and the purest morality in this brief letter. One prominent theme theme in Titus, therefore, is good works (1:8, 16; 2:7, 14; 3:1, 8, 14), that is, exemplary Christian behavior and that for the sake of outsiders (2:5, 7, 8, 10, 11; 3:1, 8).
As we come to the Study Text and note the emphasis on the moral and ethical emphasis of the Epistle. Not to be lost on readers is the Apostle’s mention of :
“… looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of [r]our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…”, the hope of all believers,
THE TEXT
Verse 1…. Paul… many Jews of Paul’s day had two first names, one Jewish, one Roman (Acts 13:9). Paul’s Jewish name was Saul. He, like the ancient King of Israel, was of the tribe of Benjamin
(Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5). His Roman name in Greek form, Paul (Paulos), meant “little.” This referred to:
1. his physical stature which was alluded to in a second century non-canonical book,
2. his personal sense of being least of the saints because he originally persecuted the Church
(I Cor. 15:9; Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 1:15)
3. simply the name given by his parents at birth.
… a bond-servant of God … likely the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament Scriptures. He uses the Greek word ‘doulos’ which means “bondservant, indicating he is not only a servant, but a low servant, bychoice. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege.
Remember that the Apostle Paul considered himself to be a bondservant for the God who created the Universe, and so this position meant this designation as a most menial servant involved a willing servitude to the Lord.
So consider this. Are you a believer? Have you been bought with a price as 1 Colossians 6:20 and 1 Peter 1:18019 tells you?
Are you a slave of the Most High God who created the universe?
Are you held by Him as His bondservant, or are you still beng held by Satan in sin, shame, and guilt, as his slave?
Have you been set free by the Lord Jesus Christ, and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light so you can serve the Living God?
This term ‘servant’ was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous Old Testament personalities, including such great men as Moses (Joshua 14:7), David
(Psalm 89:3; 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kings 10:10); all these men were ‘servants (or slaves) of the Lord.
Paul usually uses the phrase ‘servant of Christ’ (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1).
Look at the reality of life, God has called you to serve Him. Make that your choice. For if you do not seek to serve Him you will be choosing to end up serving the devil.
Now notice how Paul further describes himself.
… an apostle … literally “sent one,” which had the implication within rabbinical Judaism of one delegated with official authority. It is similar to our concept of ambassador (II Cor. 5:20).
This was also Paul’s way of asserting and reinforcing his authority in Christ, as would the previous title ‘Servant of God.
He was establishing his credentials so as to empower Titus. This letter would have been read to the entire church; note the plurals of I Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22 and Titus 3:15.
He was wrapped up in the will of God.
… for the faith … could refer to: a). one’s personal trust in Christ; b). faithful living (O.T. sense); c). the body of Christian doctrine (Acts 6:7; 14:22; Gal. 1:23; 6:10; Jude 3, 20).
Paul’s mission was to stimulate the faith of those already saved and to bring those elect from eternity into personal faith (calling out the called). Obviously, there is a standard of truth and conduct (3:5,7).
He was immersed into the task of evangelism.
… of those chosen of God” …. the Old Testament use of the term was for service to God, while in the New it is used of salvation by God (Romans 8:29-30; 9:1; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Tim. 1:9). This sense of election is expressed well in Acts 13:48. The church is the elect of God (Rom. 8:32; Col. 3:12;
2 Tim. 2:10). The church in one sense was not a new entity, but an extension of the Old Testament people of God.
… of the truth which is according to godliness … truth must be related to daily life (1 Tim. 2:2). Godliness or piety is a common theme in the Pastoral Letters, (1 Tim. 2:2; 3:16; 4:7,8; 6:3;
2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1).
Believers are not only called to heaven when they die, but to Christlikeness now (Rom. 8:28-29;
Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4; I Thess. 4:3). The purpose of the Gospel does not end until all know the Savior and all reflect His character.
Being among the chosen of God creates in our hearts a sense of humility, security, gratitude, and well-being, but it also brings the responsibility to teach.
This teaching brings people to the full knowledge of who God is, so that they can come to experience the life of Christ who had come to live in them.
Note carefully that salvation begins the Christian life. The evangelism of Christians leads to Christian education to those within the family of God..
Once a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ they are instructed in the truth of Scripture and the truth produces godliness.
Be warned though. If the ‘truth’ you have does not produce godliness, it is not God’s truth. It means we have not responded to the truth of God.
Together, faith and knowledge produce godliness: behavior that follows God’s standards revealed by Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 4:7–8; 6:3–4).
As previously mentioned, godliness is a recurring theme in the Pastoral Epistles. Its mention reveals that Paul considered it crucial for church leaders to develop godliness.
Some Cretans were known for their ungodly behavior (Titus 1:10–13). Therefore, it was appropriate for Paul to address such behavior from the start of his letter. He expected that Titus would take on the mission of leading the church in Crete to maturity through the Gospel message.
Verse 2. in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised [b]long ages ago,
God intended both prongs of Paul’s ministry, evangelism and edification (vs.1) to bring individuals into the fullness of “eternal life.”
… in the hope of … Paul’s thought is that all of his ministry is ‘with a view to’ eternal life. Eternal life is something God promised from eternity past. Believers ‘hope’ for eternal life is a confident expectation to which we look forward. God has long since proved Himself to be consistently faithful to His promises. The hope of every Christian is the resurrection to eternal life in Jesus.
… who cannot lie’ (apseudes, free from falsehood) … the unusual epithet brings out the absolute trustworthiness of the hope just mentioned. It also contrasts God, who is to be the Christian’s model, with the characteristic deceitfulness of the Cretans, which undoubtedly marked some of the believers (vs.10, 12-13).
Our faith rests on God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness regarding His promises (Num. 23:19;
Sam. 15:29; Rom. 3:4; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 6:18). Our hope rests on God’s unchanging character
(Psalm 102:27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17).
… long ages ago … literally ‘before times eternal’ and may refer to God’s redemptive promises and provisions before creation (Matt. 25:34; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; I Pet. 1:19-20; Rev. 13:8).
When we examine the covenant made with man, this verse does not mean that God looked down through the years and saw that we would believe. One writer therefore explains:
“Foreknown is the Hebrew word for election, but it stresses the personal side of it, the intimate side of it. God knew me. He knew me in eternity, chose me, knew me. And in time I appeared on the scene, and he was not surprised. He may have been disheartened, (laughter), but he was not surprised. And in time the Spirit worked, when I did not wish him to work, and overcame all my rebellion. And irresistible, invincible grace brought me to Jesus Christ, a tribute to his mighty working power.
He can save even me, eternal life promised before the world began”.
So, Paul continues that at a point in time, Jesus Christ, the promised One appeared to carry out His ministry.
Verse 3. and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
… at the proper time … God’s promise existed since before creation (vs.2) but only in due times did He reveal Christ as the fulfillment of that promise (Galatians 4:4–5).
God’s timing in this regard and as always was perfect. Christ came to earth at just the right time and in just the right context (Romans 5:6; 1 Timothy 2:6).
Thus, the Apostle emphasizes that God is at work in human history to accomplish His plan and purpose.
“Manifested” means to make real.
… preaching … conveys the idea of both the act of proclaiming the Good News and the content of that proclamation. Part of Paul’s task as an apostle was to commit himself according to the commandment of God our Savior to proclaim that salvation had come in and through Christ Jesus. Through Paul’s preaching, he served as a herald, announcing the Good News of salvation (Romans 16:25;
1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:17).
Here Paul unpacks the basis for his ministry as an Apostle. He could claim apostleship because he had experienced a particular calling to proclaim holiness and grace. Elsewhere, the Apostle further underlines this authority in his letter to his protégé, Timothy (2 Timothy 1:9–11).
Titus 2:11 – 15. It’s Background
In the previous verses the Apostles listed approximately 18 qualifications for leaders necessary so that churches will remain faithful and healthy. The specific qualifications were a standard, and so they were not to be chosen at random, or by volunteering, or because they were in the ‘right’ family or thought they could be leaders.
This list has nothing to do with giftedness, or obvious oratory ability or appearance, but had to do with a character and relationship with Christ that had been proven over time.
Remember that there is unsound doctrine which are taught by heretics. This leads to arrogance, strife, abuses of the brethren, support of immoral lifestyle, deviations from clear teachings of Scripture, and foolish controversies.
Verse 2 had contrasted the fact that God cannot lie. He is all-powerful, knows everything, the end from the beginning, and He has nothing to gain from lying.
So, to have a healthy church, there had to be people mature in wisdom, knowledge, and experience, chosen by the Holy Spirit to guard and watch over the flock of God.
The 16-18 qualifications show the responsibilities of these chosen elders toward his personal physical family and responsibilities toward his spiritual family. Paul gives 5 more qualifications to Timothy.
The leaders or overseers are to be above reproach.
- Blameless, not self-willed
- No selfishness, arrogance, proud, self-focused
- Husband of one wife, committed to one person
- Children who believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
- Not quick-tempered
- Not given to much wine
- Not violent
- Not greedy for money
- Have the characteristic of hospitality
- Loves what is good
- Self-controlled
- Upright
- Holy and disciplined
- Holding firmly to the gospel message
- Encouraging believers with the sound doctrine
- Able to convince those outside
- A lover of good men
- Responding correctly to those who oppose the gospel, the gainsayers, the disputers
Verse 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
For introduces Paul’s full theological reason for requiring the conduct that he specified above and why such conduct harmonizes with ‘sound doctrine’ (vs.1). It is the proper response to God’s ‘grace’.
Having described how believers should live, Paul now explains the reason for that way of living: the grace of God. Such grace is a gift given by God to His people from among all races, tribes, cultures, languages – ‘all men’ and this for our justification and salvation (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:7). Grace is necessary for salvation because, without it, we are incapable of attaining salvation by our own merit. Grace is not deserved or earned. Instead, it is based exclusively on the love of God (Ephesians 2:4–10).
… appeared … carries the connotation of light appearing and shining in darkness (Luke 1:79;
Acts 27:20). The grace of God, revealed in Christ Jesus, has appeared to bring salvation to a sin-darkened world (John 1:9; Colossians 1:13). The gift of grace is for the elect of God; (John 1:12-13; Romans 9:14-16). God’s people will bear the fruit of godliness (Ephesians 5:8–20).
Verse 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. We should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
God’s grace has a transformative effect on His people. Not only has this grace appeared for our salvation, but it has become our instructor, teaching us the habits of righteousness and godly living.
The Cretans were not the only ungodly people. Outside of Christ, everyone stands condemned for their sins (Romans 3:23). When we accept the gift of grace, God gives us His Spirit to teach us. The Spirit bears the fruits of righteousness through us (John 14:26; 15:5; Galatians 5:22–24).
God’s grace forms us to want to renounce personal and systemic sin. Ungodliness is a generic word for any evil behavior blatantly against God’s righteous nature (Romans 1:18–23).
Worldly lusts refer to the selfish passions of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). God calls believers to a life of righteousness and we should deny any such behavior that opposes God or is inconsistent with His character.
We should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
God’s grace instructs believers to replace ungodly behavior with righteous behavior. Living soberly suggests prudence regarding our passions and desires. Paul lists it as a standard for the believers in Crete (Titus 1:8; 2:2, 5–6), and it should be our standard.
To live righteously and godly summarizes the required attitudes and behaviors that conform to God’s standard. It is the opposite of “ungodliness” (2:12). Righteousness is God’s standard, and He desires the same from His people (2 Timothy 2:22; Ephesians 6:14).
Paul frequently includes “virtue lists” in his writings (Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 4:32;
Philippians 4:8). This verse is the only such list that mentions all three of these attributes together. These three are not simply things to attain in future eternal life. Instead, we should seek to develop them in this present world—a world that actively opposes God and God’s people (Ephesians 6:10–12).
Verse 13. looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of [r]our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Many unbelievers dread what the future may bring (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13). Believers, however, have a blessed hope of Christ’s return and eternal life in the presence of God (2:19; Titus 1:2, above;
2 Timothy 1:10). Even though we may experience trials and suffering on earth, we can take hope that God will be faithful to His promises and bring redemption and renewal to us and our world
(Romans 8:18–21; Philippians 3:20–21). This hope will be fulfilled at the glorious appearing of Christ to earth (see Matthew 16:27). At His return, we will experience glorious renewal and resurrection life.
God revealed His grace through the incarnation of Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 3:16;
Hebrews 2:9). This very same grace will again be on display at the return of our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. As a result, we are to live lives of holiness and godliness in eager anticipation (Colossians 3:4–5;1 John 2:28).
Verse 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.
Believers eagerly await Christ’s glorious return and our hope is based on what He accomplished for us in His first coming to earth. God’s grace was displayed when Jesus gave Himself for us on the cross. In Jesus’ giving of Himself, He voluntarily did something that no one else could: rescues us from the grasp of sin and death and gives us life (Galatians 1:4; 2:20).
The purpose of Christ’s self-giving was two-fold. First, He came to redeem us. He did this by being the ransom that sin requires (Mark 10:45).
…redeem … describes how God ransomed His people from their bondage (Exodus 6:6; 15:13;
2 Samuel 7:23; Psalm 130:8). Christ’s death on the cross paid the ransom for our sin and freed us from the bondage of our iniquity and ungodliness (Romans 6:22; 1 Timothy 2:6).
Second, the shedding of Christ’s blood, i.e. His sacrificial, penal execution cleanses us from the impurity of our sins (Hebrews 9:12–14; 1 John 1:7, 9). Our purification from sin leads to our sanctification into holiness and godly behavior (2 Corinthians 7:1).
The result of our redemption and purification is that we become identified as the people of God; a peculiar people, God’s elect, redeemed and purified as His own.
God redeemed His people and we wait for Christ’s return and the resurrection of the body. In this season of waiting, we should become zealous to do good works that result from God’s grace, (Ephesians 2:8–10). These good works flow from our love (Romans 12:9–21; 1 Corinthians 13) that results from a life filled with God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:13–26; Colossians 3:12–15).
CONCLUSION
Remember you are a peculiar people, a unique possession. You are not defiling yourself. You know how not to do that defilement. You know God.
Remember that the culture we are in infiltrates our minds and thinking today.
We see lying all around us, in the places of education, in the church, in the political arena where promises are simply made to be broken. Even those who claim to know God may act and demonstrate they deny Him.
So, living in a sinful world has never been easy. Obstacles were always present to block the way of the congregation of God and obstacles continue in our present age.
We need to discern what is happening. By reading the word of God, by prayer, and by listening to the Holy Spirit, and by asking God to assist us to live for Him, will prove to be life-changing for us.
When we feel burdened by our failures and struggles, we can take hope because of the Good News that the grace of God has arrived. It has come in Christ Jesus. Christ’s giving of Himself has redeemed and purified us.
He has then by His grave given us the School of spiritual learning in this Book of Titus,
Therefore, we have hope of eternal life, a hope anchored in God’s saving gift.
God’s gift teaches us to live godly lives and to seek Christlike behavior. We live in this manner as we wait for the blessed hope of the coming of Christ Jesus
All believers live in a godless society. They must remember the kindness of God our Savior to them personally. They should remember God’s love for all kinds of 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 fully manifest.
The call then is to engage in good deeds until Jesus comes.