By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
LIVING TO DO
Titus 3:1–11
Good Deeds (1–2)
Living in a culture that was hostile to the gospel and corrupted by moral sin throughout, Paul exhorted believers in Crete to live distinctively different lives.
We are to live to help others. In these verses Paul brings to remembrance things that had been previously taught. These verses show the application of the gospel to the believer’s life in this world.
Believers are to submit obediently to rulers and authorities. We are not to subvert the government or disobey the government unless the government’s laws contradict God’s laws (Acts 4:19–20; 5:29). Even then our civil disobedience is passive not active and we willingly accept the consequences of our actions.
Believers are to serve others eagerly. Christians should work to assist everyone with each opportunity. We should also speak gently to others. We do not slander anyone, stirring up strife and trouble. We show humility. We should be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. We should consciously put others ahead of ourselves. This gentleness or humility is the exact opposite of the slandering and fighting Paul had just warned about.
Based on His Mercy (3–7)
Reflection upon our own former condition makes it easier for us to be kind toward others who have not experienced regeneration. Before conversion we were deceived and without spiritual understanding. We were disobedient. Our natural bent was to disobey and seek our own way. We were dominated by sinful passions and pleasures. Professing to be free, we were in actuality in bondage and slavery. We lived with an evil attitude of mind that manifested itself with the desire to hurt others. We had an unquenchable desire to possess what we did not have. And we lived a life of hate rather than of love.
Contrasted with man’s inhumanity to man in verse 3 we now see God’s kindness and love for humanity in verse 4. Regeneration does not happen because of our good works. Rather regeneration occurs because of God’s mercy.
Salvation is not earned. Regeneration is not something you can work to acquire. God saves people according to His mercy.
We are saved through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration consists of removal of filth and of a spiritual birth, both wrought by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is the act of God in which spiritual life is implanted in man. Regeneration washes us and makes us clean through the new birth.
The imagery of washing does not refer to baptism but to an internal cleansing accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Paul certainly had in mind Ezekiel 36:25–27.
God poured out the Holy Spirit upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit now indwells us abundantly when we are regenerated. And we are justified by God’s grace.
To be justified means to be declared righteous. Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ believers stand before God as if they had never sinned and as if they had always obeyed God perfectly. And we are heirs with the hope of eternal life. What God has commenced in time will be consummated in eternity.
Done on Purpose (8–11)
Paul wrote Titus to make sure the Cretan believers devoted themselves to good works. We too must be active in good works for the glory of God.
They also were to avoid foolish arguments over genealogical lore and wrangling over matters of the law. We have no time to debate theological minutiae and add works to the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
May God grant us gospel unity in our churches so that we all can reach our one with the gospel.
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