Titus 3:1-8

Titus 3:1-8

It would’ve been easy for the Christians on Crete to develop a superiority complex, especially in view of the Cretans’ self-identification as “liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons”. Anytime a Christian community rises above the behavior of the surrounding community, which should always be the case, we face the temptation of developing, in various ways, feelings of superiority. The inevitable result of this kind of pride is a surly disposition and a bad attitude toward others, especially those who are not part of the Church Universal, or even our congregation. Paul forbids both the behavior and the underlying pride. In Titus 3:1-2, Paul calls for Christians to express the kind of life that is radically different from our natural inclinations, especially as it relates to human interaction. It is sad to see that many Christians have become so swept up in their own political, social, ideological, or personal preferences that we are more than willing to speak evil about, fight with, be harsh toward, and be inconsiderate of those who hold a different conviction. These are the very behaviors that Paul prohibits. Paul doesn’t deny the evil of the world’s thinking. What he commands is consideration or humility toward all men, regardless.

Paul articulates why humility is our required course of action in the verses that follow. First, we all are or were, Paul includes himself, just as bad as any of the people we hold with disdain. Second, it is because of the kindness of God and not our own wisdom or goodness that our lives have been changed. God is the actor in the drama; we are the passive and helpless recipients of the cleaning up and forgiveness of the wicked mess in our lives. We are now expected to formulate the character that is consistent with our forgiven position. It is worth noting that in verses 5–6 Paul mentions all three persons of the Trinity. God saves us by the washing of regeneration, renewing us by the Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus. Note, we are not mentioned actively; we didn’t do any of it.

There is no doubt that the disciple is, or at least ought to be, in a superior position than their non-Christian neighbors in regard to behavior, but that is because God has lifted them up and placed them in that superior position. Our response to those in the inferior position is one of humble identification, not arrogant superiority. To speak ill or degradingly of any lost person or a person of a different political ideology is indicative of something deeply wrong in the heart of the disciple. What is the correct response to the wicked world? We are to be proactively engaged in good deeds that are helpful not just for the church but for all men. The witness of the superiority-minded Christian drives people away from God, while the witness of the love and good deeds of Christians draws men to Him.

“Lord, help to love humbly those who do not know You. AMEN