December 5, 2014
Titus
Paul’s letter to Titus is a letter to a man who was a considerable help to Paul in the ministry of the gospel in Jerusalem, Ephesus, Corinth, and, according to this letter, Crete. Paul writes to Titus to encourage Titus’ pastoral ministry in that difficult setting. After all, Paul quotes an old saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)
Paul gives Titus specific directions on what must be taught to various groups of people within the church. By the end of this short letter, he has provided Titus with one of the grandest statements of the good news in Scripture. Here it is:
“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying!” (Titus 3:4-8a)
This weekend is Philemon!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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