free, Paul gives instructions to this entire group. As to this latter group, the servants, the dignity and spir itual freedom experienced in the church could not blind them to the fact that Christianity didn’t relieve them of their obligations due to their status in society. In verses 11-14, we see the grace of God as the motivating power for every believer’s life. Christian con duct must be grounded in and moti vated by the power of God’s revealed truth. We read that “the grace of God hath appeared” (v. 11). Paul searches the historical revelation of the Lord’s grace which is the source of our salvation. We know that God’s revelation of His grace began with th virgin birth of Jesus Christ, and continues through His holy life, sub stitutionary death, and glorious res urrection. The entire broad scope of the grace of God was revealed in Christ in every sense of the word. There is eternal salvation available in no other. No nation, no tongue, no class or groups of people were ex cluded from this glorious eternal life in Jesus Christ. The atonement of Christ on the cross rendered all men savable. This doesn’t mean in any sense that all men will be saved. It takes believing personal faith to com plete the transaction. Notice then the message of verse 12, “the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” Paul then points out how we’re to live in the world. We are rightly told to train up a child in the way he should go. This process, as every parent knows, also requires rebuke and chastening at times (Heb. 12:6). Paul is telling us that the grace of God takes the believer into its school. The present tense here indicates that this is a continuing process. No one ever graduates from the classroom of God’s grace. The aim of this edu cative process is stated both nega tively and positively which will be the theme of our next study.
verses 7 and 8 we have the personal example of Titus himself. In doctrine he is to show himself incorruptible, with sound speech which cannot be condemned. Titus is continually to set a personal example before the people. It’s not enough for the min ister merely to set the ideal before the people. He must embody it in his own life. A congregation has the right to expect that its minister will exemplify in daily life that what he is urging upon them. He must set the pattern. The example is very comprehensive, and is to be in all things. Sincerity is to be evident in all things. He will be a teacher of healthy doctrine, so that what he teaches will be the truth of the Word of God. C hapter T en T he E pistle of Titus is filled with much spiritual truth for the New Testament Church. As individuals who profess to know Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, we find much here to challenge our hearts and lives. Notice how these things are underscored in the first ten verses of chapter two. False teachers had crept into the Christian church on the island of Crete. The starting point, as we saw in the first chapter, was a need to silence these who would pervert the truth. We see the practicality of the mes sage as we look at verse six and the instructions to the younger men. They were to be increasingly careful about their own experience and tes timony. The two verses that follow point up Titus’ own need to be an example for the Lord. He was to have the oversight as pastor of the church. Because of this, his life was to be an open book. People were to see in him everything that Christ could and would do for those who place their faith in Him. Servants are in view in the verses which fol low. They were to be in subjection to their own masters. So, from young and old, male and female, bond and 12
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