Titus: Become what you are

Max Lucado once described the most obedient Christian as the one who were most joyful about their forgiveness. Titus picks up on that theme and gets to its epicenter in chapter 3.

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.

The emphasis is stressing our rebirth and renewal as motivation to being and doing good. I have heard many things about being good including: "it's okay to be bad because Jesus forgives us anyway" or "the ten commandments are just a discouragement so that we need Jesus." While those aspects might be true on a Roman's Road level, it does not help the Christian who had been following God his whole life. No, instead, Paul argues that the crux of our piety, love and sacrifice comes from what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit did to get us there.

I rarely think in those terms. When I am good it is either by accident, by convenience or I just feel guilted into doing a good deed. But Paul says that there is power in our transformation and that should motivate us to do good.

The word self-control pops up a lot in Paul's letter. There are many kinds of self control including: purity, eating, alcohol, temper, ownership and spiritual discipline. From the context and history we can gather that Paul was opposed to how the church was treating its body.

2:3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Pagan life had no boundaries. It was perfectly normal to engage in orgies, drunken parties and soirees. Imagine being around that lifestyle where you lived. Thus the children of the church needed to be reminded that lifestyle was not appropriate.

All my non-Christian friends think I am crazy and severely limited for the godly choices I have made (purity, self-control, belief). It bugs me sometimes that I might be viewed as a tight wad. It would be so easy to drop my beliefs and join them. Fortunately, truth shines through the gray clouds of peer pressure. It's a struggle to follow a path endorsed by an invisible God, while living amongst the loud masses.

Like most Christian areas there were arguments over how Christianity's doctrine should be understood. A certain group of circumcisers were hassling the church. They were hellbent on the Christians following the law.

3:9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Religious argument has frustrated the church's influence on the world for ages. We have been bombarded with psychology, ancient philosophies, new age ideas, sensate opinions and modern science. The Bible does not require that anyone become a science major to dispute these things, but it does ask us to represent sound doctrine (the Bible).

1:9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Finally, not everyone is going to follow what we believe. If you find yourself having circular arguments with someone then you should just leave them be. Instead, show the example of Christ in your actions and be good.

7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.