Saved in Order to Do Good

DAILY READING

Titus 3

REFLECTION

Christian Cretans

 by Dan Kidd

The letter from Paul to Titus, is a true gift to the Church. To begin with, it is remarkable to see that even in a place like Crete, the gospel—through the power of the Holy Spirit—can take root. On the first page of his letter, Paul quotes the Cretan poet Epimenides, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” So infamous was their dishonesty that the Greek world called a liar a kretismos (one who behaves like a Cretan). But Paul knew full well and firsthand how profoundly the Lord can transform his people. 

Nevertheless, at the time Paul penned this letter, the Cretan church was not doing so well. In true Cretan fashion, “rebellious people” were making fallacious, dishonest demands of the community regarding rule-following and circumcision. Many in the community—impure and corrupted—were living lives that looked nothing like Christ and a lot like the worst parts of the world around them. 

What guidance does this prolific pastor and church planter offer? Titus was to instruct the church to follow in step with the Spirit by living Christlike, redeemed lives as they lived alongside everyone else. They were not to cloister away in holy huddles, nor participate in the worst parts of the culture around them. Instead, they were to embrace what Christ had saved them into: honesty, wisdom, obedience, sobriety and liberation, contentment and thanksgiving, receiving and distributing love. They were to do this among one another and practice this in the public square. 

And take notice of Paul’s particular warning about divisive, argumentative, persnickety people. Those who are persistently so are wayward and full of sin—they are poison in the well. 

 

As we listen in to Paul’s instructions for Titus, I imagine we might find a number of ways we could apply his wisdom to our current contexts. Certainly, living lives that embrace what we have been saved into—the character being grown in us by God’s Spirit—would be something the watching world would notice. I suspect it’s also worth noticing that these Christians were Cretans by heritage. They were inside of, born of, and surrounded by a culture that wore sinfulness comfortably. Even still, this community’s first allegiance was meant to be to the Kingdom of Heaven, they were something like resident aliens and expats returned home all at once. They were liberated and healed from the sins they inherited. It was time for them to live like it.

Perhaps there are ways we can continue, or begin now, to live as resident aliens—peaceful, trustworthy, wise, obedient, and loving—such that God is noticed and honored by everyone around us? Reveal those ways to us, Lord, and continue the good work you have begun in us. 

  

Prayer Practice

Prayer Journal – Grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Consider using the ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. Writing this in a place where you can return to it will allow you to track and remember how you have come to God and how God has met you.