The Book of Titus. Pt. 7

Good morning to all of you...

We have a lovely sunny morning. Our Hibiscus is getting ready to bloom and we have various planters filled with perennials that display dazzling color and differing textures. The lawn looks full of lush, deep green grass. 

Our front yard has a massive Pin Oak tree. The circumference must be about 14 feet or so. That tree looked like a forgotten twig stuck into the ground when we moved in 35 years ago! We actually thought about pulling it up and planting something new.

Somewhere we have a photo of that scrawny tree. Now, it has matured, majestic and provides habitat for wildlife and shade for us. It has taken time, lots of natural food, sunshine and rain, but if you could see this tree now, I think you would agree it was worth it to keep it. 

In some ways, this letter of Paul to Titus is like our Pin Oak. The churches in Crete were newly established and full of new believers. They were in a culture that promoted a lot of sinful behaviors. In addition to this, false teachers and heretics descended like hungry vultures on dead animals. In short, they had significant internal and external problems that they faced. 

Paul knew that these churches needed spiritual food. They needed the sunlight of God's truth. They needed solid leadership to model Godly behavior. They needed someone strong to confront heresies and false teaching. All this was needed so that the churches could grow and thrive. 

We are nearing the end of Paul's letter to Titus regarding the churches on the Island of Crete. Paul has some additional ways that he hopes will help strengthen Titus for the responsibilities that he faces.

Verse 7 summarizes all the life giving truth from verses 4-6 that we covered in the previous post. Paul is saying that all of these things are true and that we are justified by grace. He proceeded to tell Titus that we are made heirs with Christ and have been given eternal life. 

Paul emphasizes this by stating that this is a faithful saying and that Titus must confirm these truths to the churches. The purpose is so that the redeemed people of God might carefully maintain a good testimony and that they might see the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. This is the Christian duty that comes with learning sound doctrine. 

The words "faithful saying" are only used 4 times in the New Testament. Paul uses 3 of them in writing to Timothy and the other one is found in this text. The word faithful means trustworthy, and the object of this word is the promises of God. The word "saying" is the Greek word "logos" which is most frequently translated as "the word" of God. 

Paul is encouraging Titus to remember that all this hope and truth and new life is anchored to what God says in His Word. He concludes his train of thought by telling us how beautiful and beneficial all of this is for the born again Christian.  

Titus 3:7-8  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 
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.

In verses 9-11, Paul exhorts Titus to avoid certain things. We must assume that there were false teachers, heretics and Judaizers who sought to lead the churches astray. This seems to be the reason why Paul expends much effort in order to help Titus know what to do in his ministry. 

First, he says to avoid foolish questions and genealogies. The word "foolish" is very close to the words "stupid, or ignorant." Some people ask questions trying to learn something that God did not reveal in the scripture. This is a foolish task. If God wanted us to know, He would have told us. Some say that they are going to demand answers to their questions when the see God. No, that will never happen. He is the Creator and we are mere creatures. No one will ever question the Lord God Almighty. 

There were those who seemed to engage in verbal debates about everything. Perhaps they could not accept the absolute authority of "thus saith the LORD". Instead of submission to the word of God, they wrangled with others in an argumentative manner about God's truth. 

There were those who sought to enslave the Gentiles under the law. The Jerusalem council answered this question very clearly. Paul tells Titus to admonish the heretics and then reject them. 

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 

Paul's ending paragraph contains promises to send some help to Titus, including Artemis and Tychicus. In turn, Paul requests that Titus send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to him. 

Paul then concludes this marvelous letter. Titus 3:1-2 shows how our behavior ought to be different because we are believers in Christ.

Titus 3:3 tells us why we ought to behave and live distinctly differently from the world, because of who we were and how we used to be.

Titus 3:4-7 tells us what God did for us. We must never lose sight of these most precious truths.

Titus 3:9-15 contains final encouragement, final exhortations and final farewells. 

Titus 3:12-15 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 
All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.


Points to Ponder......

• We learned that God does not lie, ever.

• We learned that there is a common faith to be shared with the world.

• We learned that the Word of God is faithful to His character.

• We learned the need to maintain a pattern of good works.

• We learned we should be looking for our blessed hope to appear, Jesus Christ. 

• We learned we should respond to the kindness of love of God our Savior.

• We learned that we can participate in the kingdom purposes of God through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 

It has taken a while but we made it through this wonderful book. Although there is certainly more we could learn from this book, I hope that I have given you enough to enter more deeply into the blessings God has for His children. May our Lord bless His word as it goes forth and may He cause it to change us as He sees fit.

I encourage you to share lessons from this blog with people that you know, who may be lost, may have lost their zeal for serving Christ, or may be in need of revival in their hearts. The truth of God's word can do all the necessary work in the heart of anyone who reads and heeds His truth.

Bob