In Titus 1, Paul had addressed the character of leadership in the church and provided him with the qualities which make a leader effective in ministry. In Titus 2, Paul dealt with the character of those within the church and the importance of modeling a godly lifestyle. The church could not reach its full potential in the community until righteous behavior characterized the people. So, what makes a person live an obedient lifestyle before God and others? Paul has already alluded to the answer – proper doctrine. When a person has the right belief system, it should lead to right attitudes and actions. And when a leader is clothed with integrity and those within the church are living right, God’s will is being fulfilled. To remind them of this, Paul writes “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (2:11-12). In essence, Paul is saying that genuine salvation has the ability to change someones actions and cause them to resist the power of sin over them. New life in Christ should result in a transformed life before God and others. Paul writes in Romans 6:6-7 – “…our old man was crucified with Him [Christ], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died [with Christ] has been freed from sin.” To the Cretans, this should have been good news – they no longer had to live under the power and control of sin! Now God’s people should be able to look “for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing [the rapture and millennial kingdom] of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2:13). Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for our sin so that He could “redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (2:14). The church has been saved in order to do good. Are you characterized by good works toward God and others?
Dear God, make me zealous for good works and realize that I do not have to live under sin’s control.
