How can we sum up Titus? It’s as simple as 1-2-3.
1. Find a good Biblical model and follow it (chapter 1) - Personal Faith
2. Allow yourself to be inconvenienced in order for the gospel to be attractive (ch 2) - Interpersonal Example
3. Seek to cooperate and assist others around you by being a representative of Christ’s grace on the earth. (chapter 3) - Community Witness
It doesn’t get much simpler than that. So what’s the big deal - how complicated could that be? Well, it seems especially today it is much easier said than done.
Brian Broderson, Chuck Smith’s son-in-law, said at a recent Calvary Chapel pastors conference that today the church of Jesus Christ is becoming known as merely another political party. We as Christians are known more for what we are against - than what we are for - and we spend so much time commenting and complaining about things that have nothing to do with the gospel that people are getting confused about just what it means to be a Christian in today’s society.
Jesus Himself said that the one thing that should set us apart - the thing that non-believers should comment on when asked about Christians is this: love.
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Paul the Apostle said in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is the pinnacle - the greatest thing that we should aspire for.
Now, what does that have to do with Titus three and being a representative of the grace of Jesus Christ where you live? Everything!
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Love the Lord - love your neighbor - that’s what being a representative of Jesus Christ where you live is all about - and what Titus chapter 3 is all about.
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
On the surface this sounds pretty self explanatory. But in reality as Christians we easily fall into a mindset where we don’t do these things - we are rebellious against authority, stingy, big-mouthed, and an arrogant jerk!
Why? Because of spiritual pride. Pride, you see, I think - is the real opposite of love. It’s not hate - though that is a byproduct. But after we get saved we are a member of a new kingdom - so the present kingdom is now beneath us. We are a new creature and we start feeling pretty good about ourselves - and above others and attending to the needs of others.
Now remember - this was being written in a time when there was beginning to be tremendous persecution of the church by an emperor in Rome. And it was being written to a people who were by nature rebellious and disobedient - so much like ourselves today in America - the place where anyone from the government is automatically suspect.
Paul wants Titus to remind people of how they should be - model citizens - by reminding them of where they have come:
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
We who think we are so high and mighty need to remember 1-where we came from and 2-who got us out of the mess we were in!
Before Jesus Christ came into our lives we were ruled by passions and pleasures - we "lived" in malice and hatred - it was our home base. We were hopeless - lost - and unable to do anything about it. One time I helped a guy move - I didn’t know him - and when I went into his house it was filled with stacks and stacks of junk - magazines, and stuff I don’t even know what it was - but this guy thought it was just fine to live this way. When we were living in sin it seemed perfectly normal, even though we lived in the midst of spiritual junk.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God saved us - it was not the other way around. It was not anything we did to deserve it. God didn’t look around and find the coolest people to chose for His team like on the school playground. If that were the case you and I would be the leftovers! No - it was because of His MERCY. The term mercy is eleos - and it doesn’t come from pity - "oh those poor humans" - it comes from compassion and love. "God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever might believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
So we have been washed - reborn, renewed, justified - made heirs and given hope. And it was all free (for us), though it cost God everything.
So who are we to go around with our chests puffed out with holier than thou pride and think that we can simply disconnect ourselves from being a part of this world simply because we have hope for the next?
Paul says - "no" and in fact urges us to in humble obedience show the mercy of the Lord by how we act in love, compassion and kindness - yes, mercy, to those around us who DON’T know Him.
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
To "devote" means to "make something your primary concern." What is that thing that we are to be careful to observe? To do good. And what is it to do good? It’s what he said in the beginning of the chapter - namely:
Be a good citizen - obey the laws and respect those in government
Be a good citizen - by doing things that will benefit the community as a whole - not just the church. By being a considerate, compassionate, and peaceable member of society. By paying your taxes when owed and generally supporting government as long as it does not go against Scripture.
What is the end game here? To acquaint ourselves in such a way in our world that people will be attracted to the gospel instead of repelled by it’s followers! Paul says that doing this will be excellent and profitable - which means they look good and do good (literally in the Greek: beautiful and advantageous).
So what often happens? We do the opposite. And we act the opposite way in the church. Instead of loving others - and doing good for others than aren’t even in the Lord - we fight each other:
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
The false teaching that existed in Crete was probably similar to that in Ephesus - where Timothy was. It involved reinterpreting the Old Testament, making up legends, and genealogies of angels whom they said people should worship.
But no matter the type of controversy - if it just arguing for arguings sake then here’s the danger - it uses up valuable oxygen that could be used to teach the truths of the Word of God.
To "avoid" means to restrain yourself from getting involved. It’s really tempting to jump in when people are having a heated discussion about whether rock music is from God or the devil - but you are unlikely to convince either side and instead we should focus on loving Jesus, sharing the gospel, and awaiting His return.
That won’t stop some people - and what follows is a pretty strong warning:
10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
It’s one thing to argue amongst themselves - but when they start pulling others into the fray and they begin to cause splits in the church - it is time to act. You don’t blast right away- you warn, then warn again - but after that you withhold fellowship. Just the fact that they are uncorrectable suggests their mind has been warped. No need for a trial here - their actions show them guilty.
So then Paul finishes up - partly with a re-statement of the theme of this chapter:
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Artemas or Tychicus were apparently Titus’ replacements. Titus was to leave when they came and go see Paul.
We don’t know who Zenas was - but Apollos was a well known apologist found in Acts 18 and 19 and 1 Corinthians. He may also have been the author of Hebrews.
One translation says that we should do good so that we might not lead "useless" lives. As we listen to sound doctrine and avoid stupid arguing - as we lead lives that are ready to show the love of the Lord to each other and the community - we won’t be useless - but very useful to the Lord in spreading the gospel.
Conclusions
Don’t confuse spiritual pride and humility
In verse 2 Paul says we should act with "true humility." There is such a thing as "false humility."
Romans 12:3Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.
Sometimes we misunderstand this verse and think that in order not to be prideful we should have a low opinion of ourselves. Jesus said "whoever would be the greatest among you should be servant of all." So we try to be the best servant - and we put ourselves down in the process - but we sure want to be noticed in being a servant. It’s false humility.
True humility is hinted at in:
Philippians 2:3-7 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
The new English Standard Version translates this: consider others more significant than ourselves.
My point is that our focus really shouldn’t be on ourselves at all - but on others. True humility is like Jesus - "made himself nothing." It doesn’t mean He put himself down - but Jesus’ focus was on serving others with whatever tools and gifts God gave Him. So it should be with us.
Being Spiritual is really very practical
Notice that Paul spends the beginning of the chapter saying we should be thankful and humble about our salvation - and kind and good towards our brothers and sisters and those in authority over us and those in our world.
Sometimes we make the mistake of taking on an attitude of spirituality about all this - good thoughts, good study - good for you Paul. But we fail to see the connection in our everyday lives.
In verses 12-14 Paul directs Titus and the church in Crete to put the theoretical into practice by helping Zenas and Apollos. I challenge you to look for ways this week that you can do good in the lives of others - not looking for reward or recognition - not really thinking about yourself at all - but see how you can help others on their way to serve the Lord!
