Titus 3:1-8 - ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

Titus 3:1-8

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Susie: Now Paul tells Titus specific attributes to encourage among his congregation. They are attitudes and actions that all believers should pursue by the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

Susan: Christians should respect and walk in obedience to all governing authorities. The exception to this would be if a law or a governing authority asked them to go in direct contradiction to God’s principles and precepts as found in the Bible.

Susie: They should actively participate in community service and any work that is God-honoring. However, as Susan pointed out, civil disobedience is permitted if the civil authorities require the believer to violate the commands of God.

Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Susie: Paul next addresses our behavior toward people in general, but especially with non-believers. First, we should not be slanderers, tearing people down verbally. Like your mama probably said, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.”

Susan: Avoid being argumentative. Instead by kind and gentle.

Romans 12:18 (CJB) If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people.

Susie: Titus is to teach believers that they should be humble, and in verse three Paul reminds us why we should be humble.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Susie: Paul is not saying that every believer has committed each of these specific sins. His point is that without Jesus, before the Holy Spirit came into our lives, we were all capable of any or all of these. Paul himself was a “an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5b). In other words, he adhered strictly to the Law. However, he knew his own heart and how he had persecuted Christians out of a misplaced zeal he thought was for God but was actually against Jesus.

Susan: B.C. (Before Christ), we all have the potential and propensity toward evil.

Susie: Therefore, none of us can legitimately be “holier than thou.” Next, he explains why we need to have a thankful attitude.

Titus 3:4-5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Susie: In chapter 2:11, we saw that Jesus was Grace personified. In Titus 3:4-5, we see that He is Kindness and Love incarnate. When Jesus ministered on earth in the form of the God-Man, He came for the express purpose of bringing salvation to all who would believe.

Susan: Without Jesus, mankind had no way out of their grossly sinful condition. In His mercy, He came down to show us what the Father’s love looks like. Jesus’s love was so great, so intense, for humanity in their plight that He was willing to shed His blood becoming the only acceptable sacrifice to God the Father to cover the sins of those who trust Him.

Susie: As the list of sins in verse 3 demonstrates, not one of us deserved what Jesus offered. Our salvation is completely dependent on the mercy and grace of God. Once we have trusted Jesus, His Holy Spirit comes in as our guide and the seal of our adoption into God’s forever family.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Susie: The Holy Spirit is in the process of sanctifying us, making us more and more like Jesus.

MacArthur Study Bible note:

Salvation brings divine cleansing from sin and the gift of a new, Spirit-generated, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-protected life as God’s own children and heirs.

Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Susan: Jesus, at the time of our salvation, pours the Holy Spirit into our lives abundantly, liberally, generously. We do not just get a piece of the Holy Spirit at the time of our conversion. Through sanctification, we discover more facets of understanding the power of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives.

Susie: God gives us everything we need to live triumphantly for Him. We just need to learn to tap into and rely on His power daily.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Susan: By paying the penalty of our sin, Jesus caused us to be justified before God, clothed in His righteousness. Jesus saved us from sin and death and saved us to be heirs alongside Him, children of God the Father, adopted into their forever family.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Susie: Because we are adopted into the family of God, we have the hope, the assurance that we will live with Him forever. We will inherit a share in the Kingdom of God.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Susie: As we pointed out in the study of 1 Timothy, the phrase “This is a faithful saying” is found only in the Pastoral Epistles. Paul used it to introduce key, basic doctrines.  The key doctrine Paul is referring to here is what has just preceded this verse: 1) Mankind is sinful, 2) Jesus redeemed sinners who trust in Him, 3) We are NOT saved by works, 4) works are the evidence of our salvation.

Susan: The good works themselves are not the means by which we are saved. It is only by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that we are redeemed.

Susie: The good deeds that the Holy Spirit works in and through us benefit not only our fellow believers but the communities we live in. Our changed lives may be the catalyst that awakens someone else to their need of the Savior. We are to demonstrate the love of Jesus to those within our sphere of influence daily. All the things in this passage are what Titus was to consistently teach the body of believers in Crete.

QUESTIONS

1.       Why should Christians obey civil authorities?

2.       Are there any exceptions to the command to obey authorities? What are they?

3.       How should believers interact with non-believers?

4.       What truth should help us remain humble?

5.       Can good works cancel out the sin in our lives?

6.       How can a person be right with God? How is one “saved” from sin?

7.       Define “sanctification” in your own words.

8.       What is the purpose of good deeds if they are not to qualify us for Heaven?