STUDY THEME: INTENTIONAL CHRISTIANITY. 1-02-05
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO TITUS 2. THE FIRST LETTER AFTER 2nd TIMOTHY.
The five lessons of January focus on five areas in which Christians need to practice “Intentional Christianity.” The opposite of intentional is accidental. Becoming a Christian is not an accident of birth. It calls for individual choice. The same is true of living a Christian life. We do not drift into the biblical way of living. If we drift in how we live, the current of life in this world is flowing in the opposite direction. Living for Christ is intentional in the sense that it requires convictions and commitment. Biblical Christianity stands at odds with much of contemporary culture. Believers need to base their convictions and actions on teachings of God’s Word.
Today’s lesson is designed to help us practice “Integrity” as a way of life.
The dictionary uses these words to define “integrity:” soundness, wholeness, honesty, and incorruptibility. For Christians integrity involves our relationship to God, to others, and ourselves. It is easy to recognize people of integrity and people without it. In a day when scandals are almost commonplace, believers who practice integrity stand out in a crowd. Integrity is difficult because it involves denying self. It involves choosing quality over quantity, substance over style, the eternal over the temporal, and the unseen over the seen. Making choices like these goes against the way of life all about us, but such choices please God greatly.
The Biblical Truth in today’s lesson is that God empowers believers to practice integrity in our dealing with others.
The Epistle to Titus, addressed by Paul to one of his most reliable helpers, deals chiefly with conditions in the churches located on the Island of Crete. Although not mentioned in Acts, Titus is prominent in the Epistles; he was used by Paul for tasks requiring responsibility and discretion. Thus he was Paul’s emissary to the church at Corinth; he was in charge of the collection for the poor in Jerusalem; and he was placed over the churches in Crete, the inhabitants of which were described in Titus 1:12 as always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.
In vs. 16 “they profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”
In approximately A.D. 63-64, sometime after Paul left Timothy behind to pastor the church in Ephesus, Paul and Titus traveled on to Crete. After a brief visit Paul then left Titus behind to provide leadership for the Cretan churches.
Subsequently the Apostle wrote the Epistle and had it delivered to Titus. A special theme of the letter is the role of grace in promoting good works among God’s people. Paul called Titus “my true son” indicating the possibility that Paul was responsible for Titus conversion, as the same phrase was used of Timothy in 1 Tim. 1:2.
Titus was last mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 4: 10 as having gone to Dalmatia (Yugoslavia). Tradition has it that Titus later returned to Crete and there served the rest of his life.
PLEASE READ TITUS 2: 1, 11-15.
The Salutation is in Titus 1: 1-4. The qualifications of the Elders is in vs. 5-9, characteristics of the False Teachers in vs. 10-16 and Godly Behavior for different groups in Titus 2: 1-10.
Over against the false teachings and ungodly living, Paul emphasized sound doctrine and living with Christian integrity. He taught that salvation by grace, the hope of Christ’s coming and the death of Christ called for living with integrity. He told the results of a lack of integrity on human relations. He indicated that true integrity is made possible by God’s grace and power.
In the King James Version of the N.T. the word “integrity” is not used. In the NIV Titus is told “in his teaching to show integrity.
The idea of integrity is expressed many ways in the Letter to Titus. The larger context shows how desperately the people of Crete needed integrity. Paul noted in the New King James Version, “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said in Titus 1:12, “The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. To make matters worse, false teachers were spreading not only unsound doctrines but also ungodly living.
The “things” Paul mentions in vv. 2-10 pertain to truths, attitudes, and actions that correspond to and are based on biblical truth. In order not only to please God, but also to have an effective witness to unbelievers, God’ people must know the truth that leads to spiritual health.
In the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) Paul used a Greek medical term meaning “healthy” eight times to describe godly teaching. According to 1 Tim. 2: 17 the teachings of the false teachers were quite unhealthy and “spread like gangrene.”
Following this command to Titus, Paul provided specific examples of what was consistent with sound teaching. He did so by prescribing the proper behavior required of various groups of Christians: older men, (Titus 2: 2), older women and young women (vv. 3-5), young men (v.6) and slaves (vv. 9-10). Paul also addressed Titus in vs. 7-8, whose teachings were to be “sound beyond reproach.”
Beginning in vs. 11 Paul explained how it was possible for these various groups of believers to live in the manner prescribed. The truth is that God is the source of approved living. The relation of sound doctrine to Christian integrity is emphasized in vs. 11-15. The source of both is the grace of God. This is the unmerited favor of God toward unworthy sinners.
Two translations are possible, depending on whether “to all men” goes with “hath appeared,” or with “salvation.” On the one hand we have “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” On the other hand we have “For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people.” That is to say, did Paul mean that the grace of God has appeared to all people or that salvation is for all people?
Neither rendering implies universalism (i.e.. that all people are saved). Rather, the point is that salvation is universally offered to all without exception.
The word appeareth refers to the revelation and redemption that entered into the world in the coming, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The grace of God appeared like light in a dark world. The result of Jesus’ appearing was to make salvation possible for all people.
Vs. 12 highlights how salvation impacts the lives of saved people. The word teaching means to “instruct” or “to educate,” and it has a tendency to suggest the discipline involved in the instruction.
The qualities of living, in vs. 12 are not easily learned by many people. Two negative lessons involve denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. Denying involved more than what a person denies with words. It calls for rejecting anything that is contrary to God’s will and ways. Worldly refers to the way that sinners live. The word translated lusts, here refers to desires that are sinful. These two qualities are the opposite of Christian integrity. Unfortunately, we live in a world where these negative qualities are not only condoned but also practiced. People who have experienced salvation by grace see these qualities as sins of the old, sinful way of living, from which they are saved.
Over against these two sins Paul set three qualities of Christian behavior. Soberly means the opposite of being drunk. Titus 1:7 and 2:3 shows that drunkenness was a problem in Crete. But the word can also mean “sensible,” “serious minded,” or “self-controlled.” Christians should be all of these.
Righteously refers to living according to what is right when measured by the standards of conduct in the Word of God. Doing the right thing is basic to Christian ethics. One of the marks of true integrity is doing the right thing by God’s standards. We live in a world that calls evil good and good evil. Knowing and living by God’s Word can help us know and do what is right. Being godly is to live in such a way that reflects reverence for God. Only a right relation with God produces truly godly living. God is the source of each aspect of Christian integrity.
The arena for living with integrity is this present world. This is the only world for us while we are living. Although we live in the world, we must not be of the world. We are here in this testing ground for a short time in the light of eternity: therefore, we should live in the light of God’s eternal kingdom.
One of the powerful motivations for living with integrity now is stated in vs. 13. Christians have the blessed hope of Christ’s coming again. People often use the word hope to describe little, more than wishful thinking, but the Christian hope is confident of the outcome of God’s redeeming purpose. ‘Looking for’ is more than idle waiting: It refers to keen anticipating. The early Christians often prayed for the Lord’s coming.
The word appearing is the noun form of the verb “hath appeared” in vs. 11. The word refers to the Lord’s coming to earth the first time to bring salvation in vs. 11; it refers to His future coming in vs. 13. Jesus’ incarnate coming brought salvation: His future coming will complete the salvation of those who accepted His salvation during their lifetime.
The second appearance will be glorious. The Coming One is the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Some Bible students think this title refers to the first and second persons of the Godhead. They base this on the fact that the word great is generally used of God the Father and on the word our before Savior Jesus Christ. Others, however, translate the title so as to clearly refer to Jesus alone---“our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Paul clearly affirmed the deity of Jesus Christ.
The basis for our blessed hope is the incarnate work of Jesus, especially His death for our sins. The Savior Jesus Christ who is coming is the One who gave himself for us. His life was not taken from Him: He freely gave Himself. The purpose for His death was that He might redeem us from all iniquity. Redemption is more than forgiving us: it is delivering us from sin’s slavery. Jesus’ death was also to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, or cleanse for Him self a special people, eager to do good works.” This explains how the grace of God brings salvation and new life. The emphasis of these verses for this lesson is on God as the source of integrity. The cross and the future coming are not just doctrines we Christians believe: they are realities through which God motivates changed behavior from iniquity to good works.
Paul challenged Titus to do two things as he spoke to the people of Crete. He was to exhort or encourage and rebuke. A Christian pastor, teacher, or parent has to balance words of encouragement with words of rebuke. Above all, these leaders must live in such a way that their own behavior is beyond reproach. This seems the best explanation of the last part of vs. 15: “Do not let anyone despise you.” Or “Let no one disregard you.” Those whose teachings are denied by how they live will be despised and disregarded. Those who stand for their convictions are respected as people of integrity.
Most of us would consider Robert E. Lee to be a person of integrity. After the Civil War managers of the Louisiana Lottery approached him. They said that they wanted to use his name, and they promised that this would make him rich. Lee thundered his reply: “I lost my home in the war. I lost my fortune in the war. I lost every thing in the war except my name. My name is not for sale.” People of integrity are not for sale; they cannot be bought.
PLEASE TURN NOW TO TITUS CH. 3.
PLEASE READ TITUS 3: 1-3.
Hardly a week goes by without there being some scandal in the news where a professional sports figure has gotten into trouble with the law. Athletes who set a poor example give professional sports a bad name.
Christians who set bad examples bring reproach on the name of our Lord. They cause people to question the validity of our message. As Christians our responsibilities are far greater than any athlete has ever known. The eternal destiny of others may be riding on our examples. The stakes are too high and the consequences too grave for us to take our responsibilities lightly.
With God’s help our lives can show others Jesus is alive and does make a difference. That difference should be seen not only at church on Sunday, but all week long wherever we go.
Having explained the basic principles that make a life of integrity possible, Paul next instructed Titus to remind the Christians in Crete regarding how they as God’s special people were to relate to one another and to the lost. The specific matters addressed by Paul constitute some of the good works that Christians should be eager to do.
What Paul communicated in vs. 1-2 was not new information for the Cretans. Paul instructed Titus to remind them of these things. One of the functions of a church leader is to remind those under his charge of their responsibilities in living as special people redeemed by Jesus.
The first relationship Paul addressed was submission to rulers and authorities. When Paul penned this letter, Nero, one of the Rome’s most notorious emperors, was the Caesar. The rulers and authorities associated with Nero’s reign certainly did not govern on the basis of biblical principles. Nevertheless, since Paul said in Romans 13:1-2 that all authority comes from God, he instructed Christians to subject themselves to their civil authorities. Furthermore, Christians are to obey those in authority unless such obedience is in conflict with God’s will.
A life of integrity involves other obligations such as to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
The believer’s good works is a major emphasis in Paul’s discussion of the life of integrity. These good works are not the cause of one’s salvation but the fruit or result of one’s experience of God’s saving grace. Paul had explained earlier in Titus 2:14 that believers should be “eager to do good works,” and here he said they should be ready for every good work. These good works are not restricted to relationships with other Christians, and in this context good work probably emphasizes good citizenship. Christians should be model citizens of their communities and demonstrate to all people the grace they have experienced. This means avoiding slander and fighting while being kind and showing gentleness.
What makes possible the life of integrity? It is the saving grace of God that transforms our lives. Notice how Paul made this point in vs. 3 by describing what characterizes the life of every person prior to experiencing God’s saving grace. He then, in vs. 4, juxtaposed this description with what occurs “when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior.” Paul included himself and Titus in the unflattering description in vs. 3, which echoes Paul’s words in Eph. 2: 1-2. Paul never forgot the sinful condition from which he and his converts had been salvaged.
Given the nature of our lives prior to experiencing God’s grace, is it any wonder that we need to be reminded to practice the virtues presented in Titus 3: 1-2? Should anyone protest that he or she has been unfairly impugned by vs. 3, that person needs to read again the first three descriptions: foolish, disobedient, and deceived. The human heart possesses an amazing capacity to deceive itself concerning its true spiritual condition, and, it is also easily deceived by Satan.
But Paul did not stop there. He said that as unbelievers we were captives of various passions and pleasures. Paul described sin as a form of slavery in Rom. 6: 15-23, and his metaphor here is similar. Our ungodly desires held us as captives in a spiritual prison and determined how we acted. Our actions included the very opposite of the second greatest commandment; “to love our neighbor as ourselves.” Living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. Each of these describes a heart that loves self and demands self-gratification. Nothing could be further removed from Jesus’ teachings or His exemplary life.
The painful truth is that apart from God people degenerate into little more than animals wrangling over a bone. But all of that changed when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared.
PLEASE READ TITUS 3: 4-8.
There is perhaps no passage in the N.T., which more summarily, and yet more fully, sets out the work of Christ for men that this passage does. There are several outstanding facts about the work of Christ for men here.
The contrast between vs. 3 and vs. 4 is startling. In vs. 3 man is the actor, but in vs. 4 man is merely the recipient and God becomes the actor. What man could in no wise do for himself, God initiated for him.
What Jesus did for us is that He put us into a new relationship with God. Till Jesus came, God was the King before whom men stood in awe, the Judge before whom men cringed in terror, and the majestic Potentate whom they could regard only with fear.
Jesus came to tell men of the Father whose heart was open, and whose hands were stretched out in love. He came to tell men, not of the justice that would pursue them forever until it caught up with them, but of the love that would never let them go.
This love and grace of God are gifts, which no man could ever, have earned or achieved: they can only be accepted in perfect trust and in awakened love. God offers His love to men, not for any deeds of righteousness that men have done, but simply out of the great goodness of His heart. The Christian never thinks of what he has earned: he only thinks of what God has given. The keynote of the Christians life must always be wondering and humble gratitude, and never proud self-satisfaction.
The whole process is due to two great qualities of God. It is due to the goodness of God who is always ready to give forgiveness and blessings, as each is required. It is due to God’s love to men. At the back of all this is no merit of man: at the back of it there is the benign kindliness and the universal love of humanity that are in the heart of God. This love and grace of God are mediated to men through the Holy Spirit.
The grace and love of God are mediated to men within the church, but the essential power behind it all is the power of the Holy Spirit. All the work of the church and all the words of the church are powerless and inoperative unless the power of the Holy Spirit is there.
Revival in the Church does not come from increased efficiency in organization: it comes from waiting upon God. It is not that efficiency is not necessary: it is. But no amount of efficiency can breathe life into a body from which the breath of the Spirit has departed.
The effect of all this is that it brings forgiveness for past sins. In His mercy God does not hold our sins against us. Sinners we may be, forgiven sinners we are.
Once a man was mourning gloomily to Augustine about his sins. “Man,” said Augustine, “look away from your sins and look to God.”
The effect of all that Christ does is also present life. Christianity does not confine its offer to blessings, which shall be. It offers a man here and now life of a quality which he has never known before. When Christ enters into a man’s life, for the first time a man really begins to live. And lastly, there enters into life the hope of even greater things.
The Christian is a man who lives in hope: he is a man for whom the best is always still to be: he knows that, however wonderful life on earth with Christ may be, the life to come will be even greater yet. The Christian is the man who knows the wonder of past sin forgiven, the thrill of present life lived with Christ, and the hope of the greater life, which is yet to be. Our interim pastor, Dr. Finley Tinnin expressed it thus: “I was saved—I am being saved by everyday renewal.” While we are saved by grace through faith, we also assume the responsibility of being a child of God.
The Christian goodness does not make a man proud: it makes him supremely grateful. When he looks at others, who are living the heathen and the pagan life, he does not regard them with contempt and with arrogant condemnation; he says, as Whitefield said when he saw the criminal on the way to the gallows: “There but for the grace of God go I.”
In vs. 8 because what Paul had been saying is trustworthy, Titus should stress these things in order to promote godly behavior in his listeners. This exhortation is his final reiteration of what is probably the central thrust of the entire Epistle. Paul was deeply concerned that God’s people devote themselves to doing what is good because these things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus was to promote “good works’ for they go hand in hand with sound doctrine.
Paul’s primary emphasis was probably upon the benefits for believers who practice good works. Lives marked by good works manifest the power of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. But again, good works do no earn salvation, but they are the result of salvation.
NEXT SUNDAY IN ROMANS 11 AND 1 CORINTHIANS 6 WE ARE CHALLENGED TO BE PURE. TO LIVE ACCORDING TO BIBLICAL STANDARDS OF MORAL AND SEXUAL PURITY. A.V. DAUGHERTY