Daily Scripture Reading Titus 2:6 - 3:15
We live in a society with an abundance of material possessions, home decorations, gadgets, games, movies, music, and other entertainment options. Many people around us are addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography, food, television, and video games. Unfortunately, those addictions do not exist merely outside the church, they are also very prevalent amongst those who are part of Christian circles.
In the second chapter of Timothy, Paul drew a contrast between life before becoming a believer and what it should be after people become Christians. Paul made it clear that those who are servants of Jesus should leave behind the desires of the world.
In the first few verses of chapter 2, Paul gave instructions to older men, older women, and younger women. Older men are to be temperate. Older women are to be reverent and teach the younger women.
Titus 2:6 ¶ Likewise urge the younger men to be sensible;
Titus 2:7 in all things show yourself to be a model of good works, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
Paul commanded Titus to set an example of how a Christian should behave.
Titus 2:8 sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
The opponents of Christianity should not have an opportunity to say anything bad about Christians.
Titus 2:9 ¶ Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not contradicting,
Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything.
Look at the word “adorn”. Being a loyal and cooperative slave is a way to adorn the doctrine of God.
Titus 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
Titus 2:12 instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
The pronouns “us” and “we” referred to Paul and all believers. That means the teaching in this verse applies to you and me as well.
Look at the word “denying”. We should deny ungodliness and worldly desires. This is an area where modern Christianity is failing. We do not deny worldly desires. The world desires wealth, pleasure, happiness, instant gratification, emotional highs, and non-stop entertainment. Many Christians pursue those same goals. Christians are enamored with secular movies, secular television shows, secular music, and the possession of worldly goods just as much as non-Christians.
If Christians truly want to have a positive impact on our world, we need to prioritize Godliness over entertainment, and slavery to God over the accumulation of things.
Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Christians should look forward to the future. Our outlook should be positive because someday we will go to heaven to be with Christ.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.
Look at the word “zealous”. Christians should have a desire and zeal to do good works.
Titus 2:15 ¶ These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 3:1 ¶ Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men.
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another.
This verse describes those who are not believers. This is a list of things we should avoid. Note the condemnation of being “enslaved to various lusts and pleasures”. Too many Christians are enslaved to pornography, alcohol, drugs, entertainment, sports, television, food, and leisure.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and affection of God our Savior appeared,
Notice the word “but”. The unwritten implication is that after Christ we should put aside the items listed in verse 3.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:7 so that having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy saying. And concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be intent to lead in good works. These things are good and profitable for men.
Don’t miss the words “be intent” and “lead”. Christians should not only do good works, we should desire to lead in good works.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
This is another statement about what Christians should avoid. Notice the word “foolish”. Some people argue over foolish, worthless things that are not worth arguing about.
Titus 3:10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,
Many Christians have the mentality that unity is the most important goal as Christians. However, this verse tells us to reject those who are factious.
Titus 3:11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Titus 3:12 ¶ When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
Titus 3:13 Diligently help send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.
Titus 3:14 And our people must also learn to lead in good works to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
The term “our people” refers to Christians. Once again, notice the word “lead”. Paul instructed Christians to lead in good works. We should not act after the world acts, we should address problems before the world takes notice of them.
Titus 3:15 ¶ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. ¶ Grace be with you all.
Many people around us are consumed with entertainment, possessions, and addictions. Unfortunately, that also describes many who are part of Christian circles.
Paul wrote that “denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age”. Christians should be different than the world.
What are signs in your church that those who attend your fellowship have not denied ungodliness and worldly desires?
What are some worldly desires that still entice you?
What do you need to do differently in your life in order to deny ungodliness and “live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age”?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”