The letter to Titus (Part 9)

Paul’s letter to Titus touched on very important and basic truths that aid in believers growth. Paul also dealt with the need to rid the church of renegades leadership who infiltrate the church with their own teachings that go contrary to the doctrines of the church. Paul then takes the time to instruct Titus on the instructions relevant for the different categories of people in the church. All these important discussions are relevant for church growth and for individual growth of the members. Titus, a young leader, was also admonished to let his life be an example to the believers. In this letter, Paul also wrote on the grace of God that has appeared to all men.

Paul wrote that:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
‭(Titus 2:11-14).
Paul, the apostle who is well noted for the several times he used the word grace in the New Testament, ended this letter with a reminder that it is the grace of God that offers salvation to all people. This is a reminder that “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (‭Ephesians 2:8). Paul also reminds Titus that grace is not a license for lawlessness but “it teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” In another place in the New Testament,  Paul cautions the church this: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” (‭Romans 6:15).
Paul reminds us that we need to live self-controlled and godly lives “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Paul concludes this section by admonishing Titus the following: “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (‭Titus 2:15). As a young man, Titus stood the risk of being despised by the older people. Paul encouraged Titus to rebuke with all authority and not to allow anyone look down on him because of his age. Many of us stand the risk of looking down on leadership especially when we are older and more mature than those who have authority over us. In this letter,  Paul reminds us that the shepherds set over us deserve  our respect. Once again, we need to be reminded that we have been saved by God’s grace. However, we should never consider this grace as license for misbehavior in the church.