Title in NIV: Concluding instructions and greetings.
It is a great comfort to fellowship with people of like mind. Paul wanted people around him that loved Christ and lived their lives by faith in the Lord . Let us take Paul's example and continually encourage people to stay the course of faith. Let us love one another unconditionally. Let us consider these examples and use them in our own lives:
- Acts 4:32: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
- 1 Corinthians 6:4-6 Therefore, if you have a dispute... appoint as judges even men of little account in the church.... Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another-- and this in front of unbelievers
- 1 Timothy 4:12 ...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
- 1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Titus is a small book and only has 3 chapters, but there is a theme in Titus that is mentioned seven times: do what is good. Read Titus 1:8, 2:3, 2:7, 2:14, 3:1, 3:8, 3:14.
Titus 1:8 says, "love what is good". Titus 2:7, 2:14, 3:1, 3:8, 3:14 says, "do what is good". Titus 2:3 says, "teach what is good".
Titus 3:8 and 3:14 add the word 'devote'. Just like I am devoted to my husband--all the time, just like I am devoted to my kids--all the time, I need to be devoted to doing what is good-- all the time.
Doing what is good should be 'who we are'. It should be the fabric we are made of. It should be the first thing we think of in a situation not the after thought. I am still practicing doing good--all the time. Let us do good to those around us and allow our example to rub off.
Thank you for reading. Next week I will start 1 Peter.........Enjoy!
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