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.

Water and the Word

Titus 3:3-7

Who knew baptism was such a controversial topic?  Well, lots of people, but I figured baptism is baptism, no matter when, where or how.  I've come to learn that the means and meaning of baptism have embroiled the church since the 16^th Century.  

My own baptism story is a little different.  In the Catholic church, a baby is typically baptized within a few months of birth.  I, on the other hand, can remember my baptism because I was several years old.  I don’t recall consciously deciding to say “Yes” to God, but I did know something special was happening inside St. Mary's that day.

As I got older, I learned I had taken part in a sacred sacrament that washed away sin and offered salvation.  Then in the 8^th grade, during my Confirmation, I renewed my baptismal promises, this time wholly acknowledging what I was saying “Yes” to. 

Fast forward to my children’s baptism.  Again, things happened a little bit different because my son was eight and my daughter, five.  They too have vivid memories of the day the benefits of baptism were bestowed upon them.

Preparation for today’s reading lead me to do some digging and learning about the history of baptism.  It also pointed me to Luther’s Small Catechism, which I didn’t have growing up.  Luther uses Titus to answer the question, How can water do such great things?

…For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)

For me, the bottom line is… through baptism we are saved, “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (v.5).  And whether we’re six weeks or 60 years, when water and the word combine, we are renewed in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the blessings of baptism!

      

Local Leaders - Titus 3:9-15

As we end our time this week in the Book of Titus, and as we apply the words found there to our lives now, it is noteworthy to acknowledge how practical this book is today.  Everything written here and recorded as a message of encouragement and instruction from Paul to Titus could be viewed as a how-to for us in the 21st century.

Three of the lessons Paul left his friend Titus with were:

• Avoid - Steer clear of petty arguments, but emphasize the truth's Jesus taught  "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels..." (Titus3:9a)

• Warn - Caution the person whose intent is to divide; work with him a bit and if he continues with his behavior, move on, having nothing more to do with him "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them." (Titus 3:10)

• Devote - Teach the people how to desire to do good and live productive and profitable lives "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives." (Titus 3:14)

Words to live by today, don't you think?

Read the Titus 3:9-15 text here.  Listen to the text here.

A Trustworthy Saying - Titus 3:1-8

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good," (Titus 3:1)

What is good?  Who is good?  Where is good? If I were someone who sat around contemplating my naval, I could take this question to the limit.  Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent, virtuous, of high quality, well-behaved; and the list goes on.

Quite a few years ago I was working with a man who considered himself to be good.  He told me on a number of occasion he thought he would be going to Heaven when he died because he was good.  I would ask him if he ever went to church and he would respond with, "No, but I am a good person, I don't hurt others, I don't steal or cheat.  Wouldn't you say I am a good person?"

"Yes, I would," was my response to him, "You are a good person."  I think of my co-worker often, and wonder if he ever really got it.  I was so new to the Christian faith that I understood what he was asking me and I knew he wanted me to confirm his salvation, but unfortunately I was still struggling with my own and had no clue how to help him.  Now I pray for him and will have to wait to see if we meet in Heaven.

So, back to the question, "What is good?" If I were asked now I could tell him with confidence that no one is good, no one is good enough to get to Heaven by what they have done.  It is only by what Jesus has done that I will be invited into eternal life.

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." (Titus 3:4-5)

Read the Titus 3:1-8 text here.  Listen to the text here.