And I want you to stress these things …
Summary: Paul’s letter to Titus is very short. Yet, it contains a concise summary of Christian teachings. In this passage we are encouraged to step back and take a look at where Paul’s words have brought us.
Paul wants Titus to stress certain things in his teaching. What things? Paul has been going on and on, it seems. Is there a pattern to his letter?
Yes, there is.
Scripture is given to us by God’s Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3: 16). God’s mind is vastly superior to ours (Isaiah 55: 8-9). Because we live in the world, our understanding is limited to what we see. God’s perspective is infinitely vaster (John 8:21).
As we have been reading through Paul’s letter to Titus in this series of meditations, we have examined every detail. Now it is time to step back and look at the larger pattern. These are the things, beginning in chapter 2, verse 11, that Paul wants Titus, and us, to stress in our faith, our lives, and our teaching:
- The grace of God offers salvation to all people
- Say “No” to ungodliness
- Say “No” to worldly passion
- Live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives
- Wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of Jesus
- Jesus gave himself up for us
- Jesus redeems us from wickedness
- Be eager to do what is good
- Be subject to rulers and authorities
- Be obedient
- Do whatever is good
- Slander no one
- Be peaceable
- Be considerate
- Always be gentle toward everyone
- At one time, all of us have been foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved.
- God, our savior, has appeared
- He has saved us
- He saved us because of His mercy
- He saved us through the washing of rebirth
- He saves us through renewal by the Holy Spirit
- All of this has come through Jesus Christ
- We are justified by his grace
- He wants us to be his heirs
- In Jesus, we have hope of eternal life
Notice that the list begins with God’s offer of salvation to all people and ends with the hope of eternal life. What a perfect way to wrap all of these things into the Good News of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Application: Apply these things in your own life, your thinking, and your teaching.
Food for Thought: How would you summarize this list? Is there anything that should be added?
As I look over this list I am reminded that these are the things that society constantly asks for from everyone: grace, hope, kindness, understanding, self-control. The problem is that also in this list contains the answer that the world doesn’t recognize: Loving God and loving your neighbor. I would name this list “the rich ground” because if one could truly understand, accept and take these to heart, and live them, the Fruits of the Spirit would be abundant in their life.
Matthew 13: 1-9 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Thank you, Chris.
I like your name for the list!
I personally would not want to add to a list in Scripture unless it was other Scripture.
It is interesting that the list includes God’s actions (salvation and blessings that come with it) and our response to this salvation. Through this list we can evaluate and make changes to our actions and attitudes so that we have a proper response to so great a salvation.
Rich,
I probably should have been a bit more specific with the question. 🙂
What I was thinking was, “Are there other things in Scripture that should be added to this list?”
I like the idea of using the list as a kind of mirror for the soul.
How would you summarize this list? Is there anything that should be added?
When I write them in a different order, they present a very clear message.
All creation waited for the blessed hope, the appearing of Jesus Christ, and at one point we ourselves were all foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved.
In His grace God offered salvation and justification to all people through Jesus Christ. God Himself, our Savior, who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness. We are saved because of His mercy and desire we become joint heirs. He saved us through the washing with His blood and rebirth through renewal by the Holy Spirit and is now our hope of eternal life.
To receive this gift we only need to say no to all ungodliness and worldly passions. Turn to living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in Humble obedience to the leading of Holy Spirit. As we become eager to do good, subject to rulers and authorities, slandering no one. As we live in peace, being considerate and gentle toward everyone.
Thank you, Ron.
I like the way you grouped the items in the list. That makes a lot of sense!
I am with Rich on this one,..not going to add anythng so I am going to stick with the verse that has been stuck on my heart for over 40 years,..John 3:16 & 17 – God loved me enough to send Jesus to save me from my bad self,..and I am blessed to stand on the rock uncondemmed donning the armor of God,..and I will dwell in His house forever,..
Thank you John. You say you are with me, but I think I am with you 😉
Amen!!