LEARNING DAILY

Titus 3:1-2, Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

The culture in Crete where Titus was ministering was an immoral one. Titus and his congregation were not to be a part of the of the immorality where they were. As Believers Titus and his people are to apply the teachings of chapters one and two. Gentleness, humility, a peaceful and submissive spirit are to be a part of their lifestyle. These are not necessarily new teachings (Paul wrote, “Remind them”); yet they are to be applied when interacting with not only rulers and authorities, but with everyone.

He did not write for these people to obey. When Paul wrote “be subject to” he meant to submit to government official (Read Romans 13). To be obedient would mean they might have to obey a law that is unjust or goes against the Word of God. Believers are still faced with this, today; they must obey God when His decrees contradict man’s laws. Obedience to God is expected of each Believer.

Paul also wrote that Believers are “to be ready for every good work(s)”. Ephesians 2:10 supports this (also written by Paul), “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”. Believers are saved “for good works” not by them. In Titus 3:8 and 14, Paul writes the people are to “maintain good works” (New King James Version). Other versions use the word devote for maintain. That means Believers must learn to do good works. The ability to do them becomes part of Believers when they are saved; yet doing them is not easy for many. What are good works? They are acts of love that meet the needs of others (see verses 8, 9 14). The phrase I have heard today is doing acts of random kindness. It is sharing the gospel with someone. Helping someone with a financial need. It might be praying for someone or just taking the time to listen to someone. Good works are not something hard to find – the needs of others are all around!

Verse two adds four more thoughts to verse one. Believers are not to gossip or tear down others. That’s a tough one! But let’s speak truth here – gossip, according to the Bible is a sin for the Believer. It can separate friends, cause quarreling, leads to ungodliness and often leads to bitterness and anger. God’s Word warns Believers against speaking badly about other people.

That leads to the warning to be peaceable. Backbiting and arguing were another part of Crete’s culture. False teachers were telling false teaching about what Believers had to do to be saved. There is nothing else needed to be saved but to admit one is a sinner and put their faith in the blood shed by Jesus Christ. Nothing else needs to be done. Then walk the narrow way in faith and obedience.

The third and fourth thoughts can go together. Be gentle and extend kindness to both Believers and nonbelievers. Believers are not to be hotheaded or violent. Gentleness goes beyond being polite; it is humility and tender-hearted and demonstrated through gentle words that can have great power. It emphasizes that we have limitations and have surrendered to God’s authority, His leadership. That does not mean we go easy on people or try to justify our actions that God calls sin. Gentleness is accepting God is in control and He is concerned about our spiritual growth not our comfort; therefore, we do not judge what is best for ourselves or for others.

God wants every Believer to Give Him control of our lives and submit to His leadership. I speak from experience that doing so is the only way to live as Paul instructs in this writing to Titus. There is some more on this in the next page of the blog.