AM Oct 22nd Titus 3

October 22^nd      Titus 3              D. Church Influence       God’s Mercy

1: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2: To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3: For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5: 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; 6: Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7: That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

In this final chapter Paul tells Titus to remind the believers to submit to the authority that God has placed in the World. It is the most high that rules in the kingdoms of men and he appoints over men whosoever he will. Therefore believers are to submit to the authority of kings and their ministers as unto the Lord. They are to obey the law makers and to be ready to do every law abiding work. In civil affairs believers are to never speak evil of any man, they are not to be argumentative, But they are to be gentlemen showing restraint to all men. Because we were at one time foolish, rebellious, deceived, living as slaves to the lusts of the flesh, having a vengeful and jealous mind, full of hate. But when the grace and love of God our Saviour appeared, it was not based on works of righteousness which we have done, but based on his mercy that he saved us. In our new birth we were made clean in Gods sight by the Holy Spirit who made us new. This new birth was made abundantly effective through Jesus Christ our Saviour. And we were declared righteous by his grace so that we would inherit the assurance of future glory in the kingdom.