Daily Bread 2010 - Titus 3
Titus 3
Doing What is Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At 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. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he 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, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This 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.
Paul reminds Titus and the new community of faith that part of their obedience to God is to be subject to the governing rulers and authorities. In almost all cases we are to be good citizens, unless of course the government asks us to do something that is clearly against the revealed will of God. There were Christians (I.e. Dietrich Bonhoeffer who were called to rise up against the Nazi regime in WWII) who have been called to overthrow governments that were operating clearly outside of God’s will.
He also counsels them to be kind, peaceful and truly humble to those not yet in the faith. He reminds them that at one time they were in bondage to their sinful nature and at odds with each other. Then, verses 5-6 are classic in their summation of the Gospel. They remind us that God has saved us not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of God’s mercy. There was nothing we could do to earn our salvation, it was purely a free gift, coming out of God’s merciful love in Jesus Christ.
Then, Paul describes the salvation process and the role of the Holy Spirit. The two key words he uses are “re-birth” and “renewal”. This is where some of the “born-again” language comes from (see also John 3:3). When we come into a relationship with God through faith and realize there was nothing we could do to earn His love, we feel like a new person. I think it is more to be experienced rather than described.
But we also see this word “renewal”, which has more the sense of an ongoing experience. Some have felt God’s love and presence their whole lives, and yet when they come to know God’s mercy, they feel a sense of renewal in their faith. The bottom line is when we realize God’s mercy and that we don’t have to earn God’s love, there is a dramatic transformation in who we are and how we feel about God. Paul stresses that these truths are for everyone. Ie. Not just for Evangelicals or Pentecostals!
These are the essential truths of the faith the church needs to center its teaching upon. The next line Paul warns again not to get caught up in endless controversies about lesser important aspects of doctrine. As we focus on creating an environment where people will experience God’s mercy and grace through the Jesus Christ, we will see the rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit that the Church needs to be the potent force God has intended for it to be. Without it we are just another charitable organization.
Jesus pour out your Spirit upon the whole Church, as we experience rebirth and renewal through your mercy and grace. Help us not to get caught in others matters that pale in comparison to these truths that Paul has told us to center on, in Your name, Amen.
Doing What is Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At 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. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he 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, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This 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.
Paul reminds Titus and the new community of faith that part of their obedience to God is to be subject to the governing rulers and authorities. In almost all cases we are to be good citizens, unless of course the government asks us to do something that is clearly against the revealed will of God. There were Christians (I.e. Dietrich Bonhoeffer who were called to rise up against the Nazi regime in WWII) who have been called to overthrow governments that were operating clearly outside of God’s will.
He also counsels them to be kind, peaceful and truly humble to those not yet in the faith. He reminds them that at one time they were in bondage to their sinful nature and at odds with each other. Then, verses 5-6 are classic in their summation of the Gospel. They remind us that God has saved us not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of God’s mercy. There was nothing we could do to earn our salvation, it was purely a free gift, coming out of God’s merciful love in Jesus Christ.
Then, Paul describes the salvation process and the role of the Holy Spirit. The two key words he uses are “re-birth” and “renewal”. This is where some of the “born-again” language comes from (see also John 3:3). When we come into a relationship with God through faith and realize there was nothing we could do to earn His love, we feel like a new person. I think it is more to be experienced rather than described.
But we also see this word “renewal”, which has more the sense of an ongoing experience. Some have felt God’s love and presence their whole lives, and yet when they come to know God’s mercy, they feel a sense of renewal in their faith. The bottom line is when we realize God’s mercy and that we don’t have to earn God’s love, there is a dramatic transformation in who we are and how we feel about God. Paul stresses that these truths are for everyone. Ie. Not just for Evangelicals or Pentecostals!
These are the essential truths of the faith the church needs to center its teaching upon. The next line Paul warns again not to get caught up in endless controversies about lesser important aspects of doctrine. As we focus on creating an environment where people will experience God’s mercy and grace through the Jesus Christ, we will see the rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit that the Church needs to be the potent force God has intended for it to be. Without it we are just another charitable organization.
Jesus pour out your Spirit upon the whole Church, as we experience rebirth and renewal through your mercy and grace. Help us not to get caught in others matters that pale in comparison to these truths that Paul has told us to center on, in Your name, Amen.
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