Titus Chapter 3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
We are to malign no one – not our spouse, our boss, our co-workers, our brothers and sisters in the church, our friends and acquaintances. There may be times when we have to report crimes or misbehavior, and such kinds of exceptions are allowed.
We are to be subject to the government (as long as it doesn’t contradict God’s word), and help those in need (as the Lord leads us).
To be peaceable means to not fight or argue with anyone when we have a difference of opinion with them. It doesn’t mean that we have to always do what other people want; no, we can be ourselves and do things our way, but without argument. When we want others to do things our way, we can gently push or pull, but never force (there are times when we do need to force our children, or those under our authority, to do things, but again, these are exceptions).
We are to show every consideration for all men. That is, we have to give them the freedom to choose between right and wrong. We have to allow them to believe what they want. We have to allow them to pursue adventure, life, liberty and happiness. All this, of course, is as long as they are not hurting or inconveniencing anyone else in doing so.
3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
Why do we allow others to go their way, even if their way is wrong in our eyes? It is because we were once like them, and hence we must deal mercifully with them.
4 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 have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to {the} hope of eternal life.
Note how in verse 5 it says that He didn’t save us based on our righteous deeds… this means that it is possible for people who are not saved to do righteous deeds, isn’t it? Given that it is possible for people to do righteous deeds even before they are saved, this implies that the Calvinist doctrine of Total Depravity, which states that those who are not saved cannot do any righteous deed, must be wrong!
Calvinism is very dependent on Total Depravity being right; if Total Depravity is wrong then Calvinism falls apart.
God didn’t save us based on the good we have done. The good we have done doesn’t compensate the bad we have done. A single sin is sufficient to send us to Hell, and no amount of good deeds can compensate for that. The payment for sin is eternal separation from God, and God paid that Himself by sending His only begotten Son Jesus to be eternally separated from Him. This happened while Jesus was on the cross, and that infinite payment was made in finite time (while He hung on the cross) because Jesus had the power of the Holy Spirit without measure (i.e. in infinite amount).
This payment is applied to us when we meet the requirements for salvation. The requirements for salvation are:
- Repent – that is, desire to stop sinning in every way.
- Believe – we must believe that Jesus, the Son of God, emptied Himself of that which made Him equal to God, and became man, and lived a life without sinning even once, and paid for our sin on the cross.
- Forgive – we must forgive everyone every sin that they have done unto us.
- Confess – we must be willing and ready to confess that we are Christians, even at the cost of persecution or our life.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit regenerates us by coming to dwell in us, and we have the hope of eternal life – that is, we eagerly await the day when Jesus returns and resurrects us a new body that cannot be tempted.
8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
We must speak these truths confidently, and our faith in these things will inspire us to do good to everyone. We don’t do good to everyone because we want to be saved, but because we are saved.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
As we boldly proclaim the truth people will oppose us and challenge us; when they do, we must not argue or fight. We can make our point, and if others don’t see it, we must not push.
10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,
11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
If people continue arguing with us we must reject them and avoid them.
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.
14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
A true Christian will have a heart that desires to bless others and help them whenever possible.
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in {the} faith. Grace be with you all.
Paul gives Titus a final greeting, from all who are with him to all who are of the faith and with Titus. As usual, Paul wishes grace upon the recipient of his letter.
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