Titus (3)
Notes
Transcript
Behavioural Standards
Behavioural Standards
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Continuing to exhort Titus to teach the Church (members).
Paul requests Titus to REMIND the people. Word REMIND here is a present tense imperative VERB that means to “KEEP REMINDING.”
What this may suggest is that PAUL had already taught the Cretans concerning the obligations and standards of behaviour for Christians in pagan/secular CULTURE.
Specifics on the behavioural standards of the believers in Crete
To be subject to rulers and authorities
To be obedient
To be ready to do whatever is good
To slander no one
To be peaceable and considerate
To be gentle toward everyone always
Will divide the specific instructions in to two parts.
To be subject to rulers and authorities
To be obedient
To be ready to do whatever is good
To slander no one
To be peaceable and considerate
To be gentle toward everyone always
Teachings Part 1
Teachings Part 1
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
Rulers and authorities mentioned here are referred to secular or governmental authorities. However, elsewhere in the NT, the meaning is expanded to include SPIRITUAL leaders.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Instruction for Christians to be subject to the orders of the rulers and authorities and they are part of God’s overall order for God’s creations, specifically human society. Christians are not exempt from obligatory obedience, and submission towards the governmental authorities.
Reasons for such instructions could be due to increasing hostility towards government. Possibly some Christians may have wrongly interpreted their allegiance to Christ as being contrary to the state.
It’s like many of us who work in workforce, who are paying taxes to government. As our tax brackets go up we try to find ways to either bring down tax bracket or to avoid paying taxes.
Instruction for the Cretans as well as for us is to obey the rulers and authorities. Obey it joyfully, obey it diligently, for this will also bring benefit to you.
Teachings Part 2
Teachings Part 2
2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Now in the second part, Paul shifts from the civil authorities to the people in society in general.
First of its instructions is not to be slanderous. The word SLANDER is from Greek word from “BLASPHEMEIN” where the word BLASPHEMY is derived from. And essentially, the word BLASPHEMY is the verbal expression of EVIL and MALICIOUS thoughts directed towards a person whom they DISRESPECT, OR CONTEMPT.
The worst of slanderous mind and act, the absolute seriousness of blasphemy is towards TRIUNE GOD.
Therefore, what this is really saying is that Christians should be careful not to speak evil or verbally abuse others who are created in God’s own image and are object of his SAVING GRACE.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Furthermore, believers are to be peaceable, not contentious or quarrelsome. This does not mean you cannot have different VIEW or opinions in ways of doing things, but if at any time that is going to break the peace of the HOUSE/CHURCH of GOD, one need to remember that GOD’s instruction for us is to ALWAYS be CONSIDERATE of other and BE GENTLE. Or more familiar word, to be HUMBLE.
And what is important is for us to KNOW the very reason why we are instructed to live such way.
WHY?
WHY?
(Theological basis for such Behaviour)
Verses 3 to 8 provides us with FULL description on WHY we should, we are called to LIVE such way.
Kindness and Love: Appeared through Christ
Saved the SINFUL all because of:
His mercy
His grace
His love
His justness
His righteousness
His holiness
NOT BECAUSE of:
Our righteousness
Our works
God not only displayed and gifted us with is LOVE and BLESSINGS, but he did so GENEROUSLY, and ABUNDANTLY.
Our Reward for being JUSTIFIED by GRACE:
Become Co-Heirs having the HOPE of Eternal LIFE
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Great display of eloquent theological summary by PAUL.
Where his THEOLOGY is the greatest MOTIVATION and is the PROFITABLE GOOD WORKS, THEOLOGY directly translated in to heart and actions.
WHAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND here is that THEOLOGY for PAUL is:
NOT a degree
NOT intellectual knowledge
But
is KNOWLEDGE of GOD
is his RELATIONSHIP with GOG
is HIS LIFE in HIS PRESENCE
is PURPOSE, JOY and MOTIVATION for his works.
LAST ENCOURAGEMENT & Warning
LAST ENCOURAGEMENT & Warning
DEVOTE to DOING what is GOOD
Because it is GOOD, EXCELLENT and PROFITABLE for EVERYONE
Titus 3:9–11 (NIV)
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
AVOID
Foolish controversies, genealogies, argument and quarrels RELATED to law because they’re unprofitable and useless.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Warn a DIVISIVE PERSON ONCE, and the then SECOND TIME.
If they still don’t turn away from their sinfulness, have NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.
For they are WARPED, TWISTED, DISTORTED, DEFORMED, MALFORMED
This warning is second time Paul has instructed to Titus to teach, warn and rebuke.
But there is subtle difference between the FIRST warning in chapter 1:10-16 compared to 3:9-11.
Conclusion is the same that both are trying to have that quarrelsome, divisive and ungodly person turn away from such act, but the approach is different.
In chapter 1, Paul simply instructs to REBUKE THEM SHARPLY
In chapter 3, Paul instructs to RESTORE THEM TO SOUND DOCTRINE.
In accomplishing this, Titus is instructed to AVOID divisive discussions or debates. He was to have nothing to do with them when he has failed to RESTORE them in his second attempt.
Rebuking, now teaching and restoring them is utter most important ministry to PAUL and GOD, as God is God of unity and does not tolerate division in the Church loves, he dwells.
And practically speaking:
What is IMPORTANT in the mind and heart of God, in which Paul is instructing Titus with same mind and heart, is that there are LONG TERM DAMAGE and DIVISION in the Church.
1, 2 Timothy, Titus 3. Final Warning concerning False Teaching and Division (3:9–11)
Divisions within the church result in believers who are confused, frustrated, angry, and hurt. They become ineffective in ministering to one another and to a lost world in desperate need of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the “good works” characteristic of genuine Christians.
DUE to ON-GOING conflict and division in the Church, in the past and present, is the very reason why the CHRISTIANS have become the outsiders, the marginalised, the minority in the society. Gospel we preach, Jesus we trust IS NOT ATTRACTIVE to those who do not know CHRIST. Not the ONLY REASON, but DIVISION in the Church is one of greatest reason. DIVISION caused by PEOPLE in the Church.
Where we should be investing our time, energy, heart and mind in, GODLY, HOLY, GOOD WORKS, we are WASTING IT ALL ON TRYING TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICTS IN THE CHURCH.
Theologian named by Hiebert summed up this very instruction as follows:
1, 2 Timothy, Titus 3. Final Warning concerning False Teaching and Division (3:9–11)
“Further efforts would not be a good stewardship of his time and energies and would give the offender an undeserved sense of importance.”
When the Church cannot agree on the core essentials of our DOCTRINE, and is characterised by CONFLICT and DIVISIONS, it not only becomes INEFFECTIVE in the WORLD that is in great need of the gospel, it also is GREATLY DISPLEASING TO GOD.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
SOUND DOCTRINE, SOUND THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING SHOULD BE THE MOTIVATION and HEART that MOTIVATES all BELIEVERS to do GOOD WORKS. That is to live a life where your understanding of GOD and HIS words are TRANSLATED IN OUR OWN LIVES, DISPLAYED THROUGH OUR ACTIONS.
Such lives will make the gospel “ATTRACTIVE” to the lost world.