Titus 3

Verses 1-8, “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. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

Titus is told to remind the Cretans 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. When you consider their former reputation, record in Titus 1:12, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons,” this would be a drastic change and a witness to the work that God is doing in their lives. They need to display humility to others, as they remember who they used to be before the Lord intervened. The point is, they should no longer be foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another, and neither should we. It is good to remember our former selves, but not in a longing sort of way at what you left behind, like Lot's wife did. Luke 9:62, “But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' ”  Instead, we need to look back remembering what the Lord saved us from. This remembrance should renew our love and gratification, inspiring us to do good works and spread the good news. Isaiah 51:1, “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug."

Verses 4-7, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  It is only because of the kindness and love of our Savior that we can be justified. It was the Holy Spirit that drew us unto God in the first place and that regenerates us so that we no longer live according to our old ways, so we have no reason to boast. John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”  But keep in mind that there is no salvation for those without regeneration. If they are living like they did before, they will not become heirs of His grace.

Verses 9-11, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”  Our entire focus needs to be on God's word and not get caught up in false teachings and bad doctrine that contradict the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  If someone insists on following their erroneous ways, and ignores all correction, then we need to reject them. They are self-willed, not submitted to God's will, which makes them self-condemned. Plus, they will be used by the enemy to deceive others and to divide the body of Christ. Proverbs 6 tells us that God hates one who sows discord among brethren. It is an abomination according to the word!

Let the kindness and goodness of God stir up in us a desire to be more like Him. Allow His grace...the grace that actually does save...to teach us how we ought to live and give us the boldness to stand against anything that contradicts Him. We know that faith without works is a dead, useless religion. Verse 14, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”  James 2:14-18, 26, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works [...] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”