GOD REVEALED – A New Testament Journey (PART 6)Sample

Titus – Double Grip

How do we balance the powerful secular influences constantly battering our minds with our spiritual calling leading us in a different direction? Paul encourages Titus, a partner, to get a good “double grip” – a good grip on himself and a good grip on the message (1:8-9).

The adage “actions speak louder than words” applies to spiritual lives. In his greeting Paul talks of the “knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness” (1:1).

Fundamentally, as our lives increase in godliness, so does our knowledge of God. On the flip side, there are those in the church that deny Jesus by their deeds (1:11, 16).

Christ saved us “not on the basis of deeds” (1:5). However, the result should be “that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds” (1:8).

Christ is working in us “to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (2:11, 14).

Paul’s advice addresses all kinds of people.

Rouse the Responsible

Specific advice to:
- Leaders (1:6-9) to be strong in the Bible, first invest in the lives of their family having children who believe, be good stewards, not quick-tempered or after material gain
- Older men (2:2) to be temperate and persevering
- Older women (3:3) to be good teachers and reverent in behavior
- Younger women (2:4, 5) to love and submit to their husbands, be pure and hardworking
- Young men (2:6) to be self-controlled
- Employees (2:9) to align with bosses and be pleasant and honest

Reprove the Reactive

There are always those who are falling away. We often don’t want to interfere; to let the holy spirit or pastor deal with it. But we have a responsibility to talk to them firmly so that they come back to the faith (1:13, 2:15).

Reject the Rebels

We live in the age of tolerance. Virtually everything is being accepted. However, in the church, those who are disintegrating and disrupting it have to be dealt so severely. Discern those involved in:
- Dishonest gain (1:10-11)
- Deception by deviation (1:14)
- Denial by deeds (1:16)
- Defiance by disputes (3:9-11)

Are we struggling to achieve godliness? What “good deeds” do we need to personally focus on? How can we gain this “double grip” of the word and works?