Scripture

Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels or fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.

Observation

Paul’s teachings are good for everyone, and Titus must see that they are passed on.

We are not to get into foolish arguments about genealogies and obedience to the Jewish law. These things are a waste of time. A “three strikes” policy should be applied to those who cause division, because such people have turned away from the truth.

People must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul finishes with the blessing, “May God’s grace be with you all.”

Application

People get sidetracked easily by fringe doctrines and pet theologies.

In Paul’s day, the issues were about spiritual genealogies and Jewish law. It isn’t clear if he is talking about the party spirit such as that in the Corinthian church where people followed Paul, Apollo, or other leaders. The same sort of thing still exists with the phenomenon of celebrity pastors.

There are significant numbers of Christians who try to insist that we should observe the Jewish law, the Jewish feasts, and so on.

Then there are the end time nuts who want everyone to get ready for the rapture which is definitely just around the corner. Not to mention the King James Version only people who think that 500 years of scholarship into ancient Bible manuscripts is just satanic deception.

The trouble with these people is that they can be so emotive and uncompromising in their theories that they just cause division in the Body. While we need to be gracious with such people, if they will not tone down their arguments, we may have to exclude them from fellowship.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the grace of the Holy Spirit. Please help me to avoid the fringe doctrines and to not get sucked in by pointless arguments. Amen.

Scripture

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit.

Observation

We should submit to the government and its officers. We must not slander anyone, nor be quarrelsome, instead being gentle and humble.

We were once foolish and disobedient. We were slaves to lusts and pleasures.

But then God revealed His love to us. He saved us because of His mercy, not because we deserved it. He gave us a new birth and a new life by the Holy Spirit. Now He declares us righteous and gives us the assurance of eternal life.

Application

The death of Jesus washed away our sins.

We could never pay the penalty for our sin by ourselves. Instead, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place. Now, anybody who asks can receive a new birth and a new life.

This new birth is a chance to start over with a clean sheet. Nothing is held against us. Our sins are washed away, and the record is cleared. It is just as if we had never anything wrong.

But there is more! Every time we mess up, God forgives us as long as we keep coming back to Him. He is not our judge looking to convict us. No, He is our Father, looking to be in relationship with us

God gives us a new life. As long as we keep looking to God, He will transform us from sinner to saint. He sets us free from lusts, addictions, and bondages. This does not always happen overnight, although it does start straight away. We continue to fall into bad ways, but as long as we look to God, He will pick us up and make us stronger in Him.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for your great love for us. You give us a new birth and a new life. This comes as your gift not something we strive to achieve. Amen.

Scripture

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Observation

Slaves must obey their masters, being respectful and trustworthy.

The grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people. So we must leave as godly people and reject sinful pleasures. We must live with wisdom while we look forward to eternity with hope.

Jesus gave his life to free us from sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people.

Titus must preach these things and encourage his people to obey. He needs to use his authority to correct them when necessary.

Application

Paul mentions here three goals of Christ’s death on the cross.

Firstly, he died to set us free from every kind of sin. We are all in bondage to sin because our fleshly natured dominates the way we live. When we follow Jesus, this unerring capacity for sin is broken, and we can live the life God intends for us.

Secondly, He died to cleanse us. Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice that takes away the penalty for our sin. We were law breakers, breakers of God’s law, and we deserve to die. But Jesus has paid the price our sin.

Thirdly, Christ died to make us his own people. Once we were far away from God, but now we are adopted into His family. He calls us His Bride – a people set apart for him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for all that you accomplished for me. I am free from the bondage of sin; I am cleansed from the blackness of sin; I am a part of your special people. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture

Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticised. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Observation

Titus is to teach older men to exercise self-control and to live wisely. Similarly, the older women must not slander others or drink heavily. They are to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, and to submit to their husbands.

Titus should encourage the young man to also live wisely. He should be the good example to them by doing good deeds, and teaching the truth so that nobody can criticise him or Paul.

Application

Nowadays, teaching truth does not guarantee freedom from criticism. Preachers (and others) who point out that the Bible condemns homosexuality or that women are biologically different to men are likely to get roasted.

Nevertheless, as followers of Jesus, who is the way, the Truth, and the Life, we must commit ourselves to following and proclaiming the truth wherever we are.

The gospel has never been popular because it threatens those whose status and income are dependent on either their own sins or the sins of others. When we tell people that their lifestyle is not acceptable to God and they need to repent, then we can expect hostility.

Being unpopular does not make the gospel wrong. In the end, it is only God’s opinion that matters.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, the source of all truth. Amen

Scripture

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Observation

There are many rebellious people who deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision.

Paul says Timothy should reprimand them sternly, so they will stop believing Jewish myths and stand firm in the faith.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure, but nothing is pure to those who are corrupt. They claim to know God but their lifestyles show that they are far from Him.

Application

If your heart is pure before God, nothing will take you away from him. It is only when we are impure or less than completely sold out to Him, that we can be deceived and turn from His truth.

The problem is that many of us have mixed motives. We want enough of God to be sure that we are saved, but we still want to enjoy the worldly way of life that leads to destruction.

To move on with God, we need to decide that everything is about Him. Our heart and mind must be surrendered to God alone.

Prayer

Grant me a pure heart, Lord Jesus, a heart that is 100% for you and you alone. Amen.

Scripture

This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began

Observation

Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Christ, has been sent to proclaim faith to God’s people. This truth gives us confidence that we have eternal life. God promised this before the world began.

Paul is writing to Titus, his true son in the faith. He instructs Titus to appoint elders in every town on Crete. Elders must be blameless with exemplary families. They must not be arrogant, quick-tempered, nor a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest. They must enjoy giving hospitality and be deeply convicted of the gospel message.

Application

The truth of the gospel gives us confidence of eternal life. God has given us this amazing gift which nobody deserves or could earn.

We will live with God for ever .

It is this amazing message that Jesus died for our sins that gives us confidence. I have nothing that I could offer God. But when I received His gift, He called me holy and righteous.

This is an eternal promise that God made before the world began. Before He made us He saved us. He saw my sin before the world began, but still He provided a way for me to be brought back into His family.

Surely, I am not worthy of this love. That is what love does- it puts itself out regardless of the worthiness of the recipient.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for your amazing, unfailing love. Amen.

Scripture

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Observation

The grace of God has been revealed through the cross, bringing salvation to all who will receive it. Therefore, those who are being saved must turn from godless living. We live in this sinful world, but we should do so with God’s wisdom and righteousness.

We look forward to the day when the glory of Jesus Christ is revealed. He gave his life to free us from sin and make us His own people.

Application

The coming of Jesus into the world, celebrated at Christmas, reveals the grace of God.

We were once far off from God. We were the people living in the great darkness of sin. Then Jesus came. He was born, He lived, and He died to pay the price for our sin. Then, He rose from the dead, demonstrating that God’s grace is greater than sin and death.

This revelation of grace is why Christmas is such a big deal. God has become flesh. He has become like us, to show us the way to the Father.

Christmas is a revelation of grace. This is so exciting! Who would have thought that a manger in little village would become the location for this revelation?

Now, it is my heart, your heart, that becomes the location for the revelation. Jesus Christ is born again in our hearts when we yield ourselves to His Lordship.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus for this revelation of grace. My good deeds would never save me, but you did. Amen