GREETINGS AND COMMENDATIONS OF HOW GOD EXPECTS HIS FOLLOWERS AND BELIEVERS IN JESUS TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A LIFE OF HOLINESS

(Titus 1:1-3 NKJV)  “Paul, a servant of Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.”

(Titus 3:1-11)  “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour towards man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable to men.

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”

(Acts 17:30)  “Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.”

(Titus 2:11-14)  “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, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Contrary to beliefs of false doctrines that Paul did not preach the obedience to the Law of Moses, which includes the Ten Commandments, is misunderstood to his true teachings: about, “Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.” (Titus 1:14).

Paul’s teaching on the Law of Moses including the Ten Commandments:  Paul writes, “The Law is holy, and the Commandment holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12), and. “I had not known sin, but by the Law:  for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7).

From the Old Testament Law people learned that much of what before was not considered sinful, was in fact sin.  The Law opened man’s eyes even wider to his wretched moral state; it roused him to repentance, to an awareness of his weakness in accomplishing good deeds by his own strength.  As a result people recognized the imperative need for a Saviour.

Sin: is missing the mark, and loving oneself more than loving God Almighty.  For we are told in the first Psalm, “Blessed is the man whose will is in the Law of the Lord and who meditates in His Law day and night.”.

Therefore, through (Acts 20:24) Paul speaks of the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus, “To testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God.”  The word “Gospel” means “Good News,” and “Grace” means unmerited favour; so Paul was given the ministry to proclaim the Good News that God has provided a way of salvation for sinners, through His Son Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and that He had done this without requiring merit on the part of sinners.

Paul concludes with this affirmation, “I thank God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:7), “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-3).

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin to conform us to Jesus’ likeness.  Sin becomes more apparent in our lives (Galatians 5:16, 18).  This allows us to repent and seek change in Christ, so that we can become more like Jesus.

If you’re a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you.  Open yourself up to the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is a good friend.  Jesus calls Him the Helper for good reason.  It’s certainly to our advantage that He is in our lives, but ultimately to glorify Jesus was why He was sent to us (John 15:26).”