Titus 3: Are You Ready For Good Works?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
1. Works (V1-3)
V2 “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Though we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not of our good works, yet after we are saved, we must be ready to perform good works as evidence of our salvation. The good works are namely to obey the law of the land, and to be loving, humble and gentle.
V3 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
2. Washing (V4-11)
V4 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”
Indeed, God loved the world including you and me that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, from glorious heaven to this lowly earth so that He could live and subsequently died and shed His precious blood to wash away the sins of whoever believes in His name. Since we are washed by the precious blood of Christ, we should then live our lives in pursuit His holiness and righteousness, and in every good work.
V5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
3. Winter (V12-15)
V12 “When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.”
Paul instructed Titus to meet him at Nicopolis before winter (as it was dangerous to travel during winter time) so that Paul could hand over his ministry to him, while Titus would then hand over his own ministry to Artemas. Paul also instructed Titus to take care of the preachers of God, the likes of Zena the lawyer and Apollos, and even other preachers of the gospel. Paul knew that his life was at stake, and he had chosen Titus as well as Timothy to succeed him. Paul was indeed a man who truly excelled in good works!
V13 “Bring Zena the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be always ready for good works.
