Prefatory Note - The notes below accompany the audio that is linked above. While they can stand on their own, they were not written to be read alone. On occasion, when I am recording the audio portion of this newsletter, I will make other comments that are not included in these notes. To get the full picture, listen to the audio as well. I appreciate your support!

A Verse

Titus 3:1-11

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

A Comment

Over the next several days, I plan to take a deep dive into Titus 3:1-11. In the providence of God, I read these verses today as part of my daily devotional rhythm and was struck by how pertinent Paul’s instructions to Titus are for us today.

In terms of getting oriented to these passages, Robert Yarbrough wrote, “Verses 1–3 and 8–11 deal with behavior, attitudes, and policies for Titus to observe and encourage. Verses 4–7 are a thick vein of soteriological lore that furnishes a basis for Paul’s counsel.” I believe this is a helpful way of framing these verses. We begin by noting an exhortation to believers, then quickly observe Paul’s digression into a contemplation of God’s gracious work in salvation toward us, before resuming his exhortation.

In the days ahead, we will look at those exhortations and reflections on redemption in more depth, but for now, I believe it is essential to consider them as a whole. As believers, we must never separate the exhortation to holy living from the power of the gospel. Any hope that we have to address our “behaviors” and “attitudes” must be rooted in “the goodness and kindness of God our savior.” Otherwise, we are treating ourselves like Pharaoh treated the Israelites: “More bricks, less straw.”

We depend wholly on the Lord to supply what we need to live as He has called us. To that end, let us go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to meet us in our need as we seek to live for His glory and the good of others.

A Prayer

Would you pray with me…

A Blessing

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 1:25)

CBH

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