TITUS

Titus Chapter 2

• Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Truth, sound doctrine, holiness, godliness, goodness, and things that come from the Holy Spirit are what we should be teaching and living. Our hope of salvation is not by outward rituals and observances. This is the difference between religion that is outward and true faith. True salvation comes from a change in the inner person. It is by God's spirit as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ. 

This is a real experience a real change that comes about by the spirit of God. We obtain this not by works of religious acts but by faith in Jesus, True faith brings us to repentance from dead or sinful works and we become new creatures in Christ created to do good works. We are made free from sin and created anew to begin living for God. 

• Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Be wise, sober minded, not quick to lose one's temper, not easily persuaded to follow every wind of doctrine. My heart goes out to the elderly men and women in today's church. They are often made fun of, criticized and taken lightly for not going along with new ideas and changes. Let us consider though how they must see things. 

The bible warns them of the danger of falling away, following false doctrines and to be careful not to believe every spirit. They are warned that in the latter days many shall depart from the faith and yet when the new music comes in and new methods, we belittle them for resisting the new ways and clinging to their old ways. With all the warning in the bible for them to remain steadfast and unmovable, how can they just drop everything old and adopt the new just like that? A little more respect, appreciation and love is needed on both sides of these issues.

Charity is love but the love that comes by the spirit of God is not what most think is love. If we truly loved one another, we would have respect and not make fun of those that hold onto older ways. Those clinging to older ways need also to show love and patience with those that come up with new ideas since some of the new ways may just be by the spirit of God. 

• Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

When women become of full age and they are living for God, they have such a wonderful opportunity to be an example of holiness. We don't have to be "holier than thou", given to gossip and think ourselves above others but we can be a godly, loving example of holiness. Many of us who have grown up in the way of holiness lose our desire for the things of this world as we grow older. We can use this for good or evil.

We can get a bitter spirit against those who have not yet matured in their Christian walk to walk in what we think is holiness. A better way is to just love them and set the example, not by compromising and being like the world ourselves, but by gently setting a good example in our own lives. God has taken away our desire for things and worldliness and that is something we should cherish but we have to realize that not everyone is going to live the way we live until the Holy Spirit brings them to the place where they begin to lose their love for this world and concentrate their love for the things of God.

Compromise is never the answer because it will not produce fruit and save souls. It waters down real true conversion. It's like adding too much water to a cup of coffee. The world expects us to be different.

Being critical and judgmental over minor differences is not the answer because it gets us off the main issues of the gospel which is the only message that will win the lost. Setting a godly example is the answer and will always work. Holiness is a good message but it is not our foundation. Our foundation is Jesus Christ and only through daily yielding to Him and obeying His word can we have the right kind of holiness. 

• Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

We need the elderly ladies to renew this in today's world. It is a shame that we have to teach young women to love their children and husbands but in this day of me first and others last, get ahead, live your own life, selfishness, me, my and mine, that is exactly what is needed.

Women need so much to return to the home if they still have children at home. This is unpopular to say but much of the unruliness among the youth is caused by no stability in the home. Mother is gone doing her own thing and no one is at home when they come home from school. I realize that men do not always work and support their families and then the women have to do it. Also the cost of living is so high that women have to work to make ends meet; but isn't the price of the souls of children worth a little sacrifice at least where it is possible. I'm not making my own commandment here but just giving a suggestion that where possible children need their mothers at home or have a loving grandma around. Stability, love and godly upbringing though is the main emphasis I'm making.

• Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

To be a keeper at home is not to be looked down upon. In today's society everyone is expected to have a career and make high salaries. The government also benefits with more taxes coming in. Unfortunately the children suffer. They have the latest video games that money can buy but do they have God in their lives? We give them the best education, fine homes, clothes and many things but do they know God? Are the children being saved from sin? Are the children ready if Jesus should come back now? Are they out running around and trying out drugs and alcohol or are they in church? Is God our priority or is it education, high paying jobs and sports?

All these things may be good but they pass away. At the point of death these things are no more. What is the state of our souls and the souls of our children? Is sending your child to a good college of greater priority then getting them to receive Jesus Christ as savior?

• Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

One thing I love to see is a young man who loves the Lord with all his heart. God has allowed me to have two sons that love God. What a joy it is to see them going to church, not because I prompt them but because they want to go and they are not ashamed to carry a bible under their arms. Praise God. I give Him all the glory. Young men do not have to go out, get drunk and live ungodly. God is exciting and wonderful. We need to encourage young men to turn to God. I said that because the verse mentions young men, not to slight my wonderful daughters who love God too. 

• Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

We do not hear too much of this teaching anymore but good works, sound doctrine and holiness is in the bible, is a necessity and should still be taught in church. The bible even goes on to say that if we don't have holiness we shall not even see the Lord.

• Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Some teach that God doesn't see our lives after the blood of Jesus covers our sins and that He only sees Jesus. I don't know where they are getting this teaching. Yes, the blood of Jesus covers our sins but if we return to sin after Jesus saves us and do not repent and confess that sin, then we are living in sin again and are not living in holiness. What did Jesus save us from if we continue in sin?

Why did Jesus die for our sins just for us to return to them? How can we say that Jesus came to save us from our sins if we still are living in sin? It doesn't make sense.

We cannot earn our salvation by being a good person and just living a good life apart from Jesus Christ. That is what is meant by the message that we are saved by grace and not works. We cannot do anything to earn that grace that forgives our sin and cleanses from all unrighteousness. When we are saved though the old things pass away and all things become new. We now have a responsibility to give ourselves over to good works and holiness. God never takes away our freewill but He does give us His Holy Spirit to help us make the right choices. He takes the desire to do evil out of our hearts but we still can override the Holy Spirit any time and go back to the sin we were saved from but we have a helper to convict us of sin and turn us back to a close fellowship with our Lord.

• Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Keeping our speech sound and free from strife will bring shame upon those that falsely accuse us.

• Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

This is not teaching that slavery is okay but just teaching that if a believer finds himself in the position of a servant or slave, he must be obedient and not rebellious.

• Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

These things make our righteousness shine before others and we do not bring reproach upon the name of Jesus Christ by claiming Christ and living ungodly. Purloining is taking away something for oneself that is not ours to take. Fidelity is being faithful, someone others can trust.

• Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
• 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
• 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Here we see the true teaching of grace. The grace of God that brings salvation also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The grace of God that saves our souls also teaches us to live righteous and godly. The bible says this, not me. We are to live holy and always look for the appearing of Jesus Christ.

• Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We are redeemed by the blood of Christ, cleansed from iniquity in order that we become people that do good works. DC

• Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Titus chapter 3