For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)

In Paul’s letter to Titus, this is a section of reminders. Paul wanted Titus to remind the Christians under his teaching and leadership of how to live the Christian life (Titus 3:1-2). But he also wanted Titus to remind them of how they used to live, what they used to be.

It’s as if God tells us, “Don’t ever forget how I have changed your life.” As Paul wrote, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived.” When in verses 1 and 2 we learned how to live, we learn in verse 3 why it is sometime such a struggle. We didn’t used to live in a godly way, and we have bad habits of thinking and doing to overcome.

Notice that Paul used the word “we” in this sentence. He included himself, and it was quite a list to include one’s self in: foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

For the Christian, all that should belong to the old life. Jesus gives us something new. Remembering this work of God builds four things in us.

First, gratitude  for how God changed us. When we think of what we used to be, we can be so thankful that God has done a work in our life and is still doing that work. We often think that we are not yet what we should be (and that is true); but thank God, we are not what we used to be.

Second, humilityas we see that it was His work that changed us. This was not our own self-improvement program; it was the work of the living God within us. Of course, it involved our will and effort; but even our will and effort were the work of God in us. We have nothing to be proud about.

Third, kindness to others in the same place. Sometimes we are quite judgmental towards those caught in the web of sin, forgetting that we also once were in similar traps. Remembering the changes God has done in our life should make us compassionate towards those who need a similar work of God.

Finally, faith that God can change those who are still in that place. It’s easy to despair when we long to see God work in the lives of others. Sometimes we give up hope. The next time you feel like that, ask Him for the grace to remember that if God changed you, He can change others as well.

Remember what you used to be, and have faith that the God who has begun a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

Click here for David’s commentary on Titus 3

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. (Titus 2:15)

These words from the Apostle Paul come at the end of a long section where he told Titus how to lead the churches on the island of Crete. Titus chapter 2 is filled with practical guidance for the pastor and the church leader, and the chapter ends with this interesting statement. Paul told Titus, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

The first thing is to speak these things. Titus, and every one of God’s messengers of grace are directed to speak the things of God’s Word. What Paul wrote to Titus (these things) was and is God-inspired Scripture.

We could have an interesting discussion over the question, “Did Paul knowwhat he wrote was Scripture?” But it really doesn’t matter if Paul was aware of it or not. God guided Paul and the other human authors of Scripture, enabling them to write His inspired Word through their own human personality.

These things were to be the focus of what Titus taught. The preacher must always stay centered on God’s Word.

Next, Paul told Titus to exhort and rebuke– and to do it with all authority. God’s messengers are to remember that they are messengers from a King, holding the word that brings life and turns back hell. The preacher needs to speak forth God’s Word, exalting it high above human opinion and speculation. When the preacher speaks, sometimes it will be encouraging (exhort) sometimes correcting (rebuke).

Finally, Paul told Titus, “let no one despise you.” This didn’t happen by Titus making a rule saying that Christians weren’t allowed to despise him. It happened because Titus lived a life of love and integrity. If Titus spoke with all authority, he had to back it up with his life. Titus had to live in such a way so that no one could rightfully despise him or his message.

One commentator points out that it was common for these letters from Paul to be read in the churches. Therefore, this remark, “let no one despise you,” was also something for the Christians and Crete to hear. When they saw Titus living an honorable and godly life, they had to step up and respect him and his message, even when it was a rebuke.

I’m sure that at some point this week God will have a word to encourage you (exhort) or to correct you (rebuke). Be ready to receive either word and to respond to it.

Click here for David’s commentary on Titus 2

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)

In the previous verse, Paul told Titus what grace teaches: that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live righteous lives. Titus 2:13 carries on the same thought, adding to what grace teaches us.

Said plainly, grace teaches us to look for the second coming of Jesus Christ. In continuing the thought of what grace teaches, Paul wrote that we should be looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

In other words, grace teaches us to expect and prepare for our blessed hope. That hope is not heaven or glory, but Jesus Himself, face to face, closer than ever.

Yet we don’t just wait for the coming of Jesus; we live in active expectation of the return of Jesus. We are looking for it. The return of Jesus Christ should be precious for Christians to consider.

Jesus came the first time to save the soul of man; He will come a second time to resurrect the body.

Jesus came the first time to save the individual; He will come a second time to save society.

Jesus came the first time to a crucifixion; He will come a second time to a coronation.

Jesus came the first time to a cross; He will come a second time to a throne.

Jesus came the first time in humility; He will come a second time in glory.

Jesus came the first time and stood before Pilate; He will come a second time and Pilate will stand before Him.

Jesus came the first time and was judged by men; He will come a second time to judge all men.

Finally, notice whom Paul says will return: our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. From time to time, some people try to say that Paul and other early Christians didn’t really believe Jesus was God. This shows that not only did Paul know Jesus was God, but that He was and is the great God and Savior.

That same Jesus came once – and He will return just as He promised. Let grace teach you to keep looking for His return and be ready for that great day.

Click here for David’s commentary on Titus 2

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11)

This brief statement of the apostle Paul in his letter to Titus introduces a new thought, but even this starting line has a wonderful truth for us to consider.

Paul begins speaking of the grace of God. We remember the greatness of God’s grace, the undeserved favor and acceptance that God gives to those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Here Paul considered that the grace of God actually does something: it brings salvation. That’s how great the favor and acceptance of God is. It changes the past, present, and future of the man or woman who receives it. In this sense, salvation isn’t just a ticket to heaven. It means God’s active power and life in the here and now, not just in the eternal future.

Notice also that grace brings salvation. You don’t go out and “get” salvation; it comes to you in the grace of God and you have the opportunity to receive it by faith. That’s one a fundamental difference between Christianity and every other religion or faith system on earth. Many religions tell how to find God and get something from Him. Biblical Christianity is the message of how God, by His grace, brought salvation to us.

There is something else wonderful in this short verse. Paul says that this grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. I see at least two beautiful things here. First, there is one gospel of grace for all men. God doesn’t have a gospel of grace for some and a gospel of law or self-justification for others. All men (and all women) find salvation by the grace of God.

The other beautiful thing here is the phrase translated has appeared. According to Adam Clarke, it is the ancient Greek word epiphaino and it means, “has shined out.” Clarke believe this was a picture taken from the shining of the sun. Just as the sun rises in the east and makes its way across the entire globe, so the wonderful grace of God in Jesus Christ started in Jerusalem and began to shine over the entire human race.

Just as with the grace of God, the light and warmth of the sun is for the whole earth; but it does not shine upon the earth all at the same time, nor in the same intensity from place to place. God shines forth His grace according to His wisdom and plan; but we know that He always shines forth His grace through the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ (Malachi 4:2). Seek Jesus, trust Jesus, and let His grace shine on you today.

Click here for David’s commentary on Titus 2

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8)

Paul told Titus how to speak to the different groups of people in the church, and he told Timothy to tell the young men “to be sober-minded” (Titus 2:6). Then Paul explained to Titus the importance of being a good example himself.

This is what Paul wrote: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” Titus had to be more than a teacher, he also had to be an example, a pattern. His guidance to others could not be taken seriously if he himself was not walking after God’s truth. This is a powerful, basic principle that is often neglected. If the preacher or teacher does not live what he teaches, why should anyone else?

This doesn’t mean that leaders in the church must be perfect. Like anyone else, they will have their weaknesses and failings. Leaders can’t be examples of perfection, but they certainly can be examples of humility and repentance.

There’s a specific way that Titus had to be an example: “In doctrine showing integrity.” Titus had to be an example in doctrinal stability and integrity. If he wasn’t comfortably settled in his understanding of the Scriptures, he wasn’t ready to lead.

Titus also had to be an example of reverence, of incorruptibility, and of sound speech. Titus had to teach the older men (Titus 2:2) and the older women (Titus 2:3) to be reverent, but he had to be an example of reverence first. Titus had to teach the older men to be sound in faith (Titus 2:2), but his faith had to be incorruptible.

When God’s leaders live this way, it gives those who oppose God’s work no excuse to accuse and reject the truth. Paul put it this way: “That one who is an opponent may be ashamed.” Of course, Jesus lived this better than anyone. Jesus could say to an angry mob, “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46) and no one could say anything.

I’m sure there are people that you really want to see come to faith and a real relationship with Jesus Christ. There are probably many others you know who already love Jesus but need to be taught in some important areas of the Christian life. With both groups, remember that your example means so much.

If we fail to be good examples of the Christian life, what we teach others is of little effect. If we fail to be good examples of the Christian life, we give others the opportunity to excuse their unbelief.

We can humbly ask Jesus to forgive us for all the times we have failed in being good examples, and then ask Him for the ongoing strength to represent God and His people by our good example.

Click here for David’s commentary on Titus 2