As noted last week, during the course of Paul’s ministry throughout the Roman Empire, he wrote a total of 13 letters addressed to specific churches (like Corinth) or regions (like Galatia), and to specific individuals (like Timothy). These letters are usually referred to as “The “Pauline Epistles.” However, three of these letters are further identified as Paul’s “Pastoral Epistles.” His letters to Timothy are two of them, and his letter to Titus in the third.

Although Titus is not mentioned in the Book of Acts, Paul makes references to him in his epistles, and from these references, it is clear that he became one of Paul’s closest and trusted companions. He is mentioned several times in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, and it is likely that Titus traveled with him during his Third Missionary Journey. In this letter, he refers to Titus as “my true child in our common faith” (Titus 1: 4).

Because of the presence of false teachers and others of questionable character, Titus was given the assignment of overseeing the established churches on the Island of Crete by appointing elders, men of proven character in their personal lives and businesses, in every church on the island (Titus 1:5). Throughout this letter, Paul stressed the importance of godly living in every aspect of their lives, and this exhortation extended to both elders as well as individual members of their churches.

As the churches looked forward to the Second Coming of Christ, Paul exhorted them to look forward to,

“…the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:13).

In the midst of the persecution that the church was facing, Paul felt that having hope in the return of Christ was vital for the entire church. He reminded them that Jesus’ death on the cross provided our redemption from every lawless deed, and he emphasized the importance of God’s desire to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, a people “zealous for good deeds.” We must understand the fact that those who are “in Christ,” are indeed “His possession,” that is, He calls us His own children, and calls us to be men and women who “get excited” about doing good works.

And then there is one of my favorite verses in all of the Bible,

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6).

Paul reminded Titus, and reminds us as well, that our salvation is not based upon “good works,” but it is given according to God’s mercy as God refuses to give us what we deserve, but instead, gives us what we don’t deserve, which is grace. As a result, we experience the new birth, called “regeneration,” when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives at the moment of our conversion. This Spirit, which has been poured out upon the church through Jesus Christ, is available to all who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The Bible gives each one of us an opportunity to repent and to make things right with God. He is just waiting for us to receive this gift of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.

We pray that you have a wonderful day. Peggy and I send our love and blessings to you.