Titus

In Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, he frequently used the Greek word 'hugiaino' which is often translated - 'sound' (2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:8-9).  The word really means to become 'healthy', 'whole' or 'wholesome'.  Although it is often used as an adjective ('sound doctrine'), it is really intended as a verb ('to become sound in doctrine' or 'to be sound in doctrine').  As the church was being molested by many false teachers (Titus 1:10), Paul urged Titus and Timothy only to teach truth from God which would build up people’s faith and lifestyle.  In that way, the chu

The Apostle Paul was quite direct to Titus about making disciples of all the people who had believed in Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).  Having spoken about the older men (Titus 2:2), Paul addressed issues relating to the older women (culturally, both would normally have considered themselves above such instruction).  He knew that godly mothers and grandmothers would have a profoundly good influence on the church, the younger women, their children and husbands (1 Timothy 1:5).

Many young men have a reputation for being rebellious.  As they grow into manhood their natural desire is to push past the boundaries set by their parents as they test their strength.  They move from being controlled by parents to an authority-vacuum in which many believe they can do as they like.  Self-control is not natural. However, when a person accepts God's authority they learn to become self-controlled, because that is one of the evidences that they welcome the Holy Spirit's powerful presence in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

The New Testament was written at a time when slavery was normal, although many of the servants were treated well and became respected as part of the household.  That does not make slavery right, any more than any oppressive servitude today.  But the gospel did not recommend social disobedience movements but submission to the wisdom of God’s Word, as Jesus demonstrated.  Before society’s conscience could change, the servant-hearted nature of Jesus who was unfairly and cruelly treated, was the example for every person who suffered under the heel of others (1 Peter 2:20-25).

Many people assume that if you are born in a particular country or particular area or, indeed, have a particular name, then that dictates your religion and who you should worship.  However, God did not send the Lord Jesus Christ to the Christians because when He came there were no Christians!  It was only after His death, resurrection and ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit that His church was formed.  And on that first Pentecost Sunday people from many different nationalities believed in Jesus for the first time (Acts 2:9-11) from a huge array of ethnic, religious an

Despite the reputation of the people in 1st Century Crete (Titus 1:12), and their undisciplined social behaviour (Titus 2:1-8), the Apostle Paul was confident that the gospel would transform their lives.  Although it is possible for people to alter their behaviour for a while (and all of us try), a lasting transformation of lifestyle is impossible unless the heart is motivated to live differently.

Paul had set Titus a difficult task: to teach the gospel and disciple new converts into a very different lifestyle - one which pleased the Lord Jesus (Titus 1:10-16).  But he knew that human nature is always resistant to change, especially when wrong behaviour patterns had been part of their lives for so long, even embedded in national characteristics and condoned by the contemporary society.  Nevertheless, the only way to establish churches in Christ is to teach people what pleases the Lord, and encourage them to change from ungodly ways (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

The vast majority of people who believe in Jesus, spend most of their life outside of the church.  They are working for their living, serving their families and participating in the local community.  Although we must meet regularly to worship (learning from scripture, praying, singing and submitting to God's work amongst us – Hebrews 10:25), that time is also intended to prepare us to be 'salt' and 'light in the world' (Matthew 5:13-36).  It is easy to become engrossed with 'church-ianity' and forget that we are called to represent Christ wherever we live and work.

While it is right to be concerned, sad or even sickened by the destructive depravity or wickedness around us, it is also important to realise that in our own natures we are no better.  Foolishness, disobedience, deception and enslavement were our natural moral condition until we came to Christ.  Our relationships were seeded with malice and envy which were expressed in different kinds of hatred (Ephesians 2:1-5).  So, whenever we are tempted to be proud about moral or spiritual success, we should remember that we have only been saved from our old way of life because of God's

Salvation is not a business deal where we bargain with God for His favour on the basis of our good deeds and what we promise to offer Him.  Salvation is God’s idea, literally executed by Him, in which Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price … so that we could be given mercy and grace we do not deserve (Ephesians 2:8-9).