Living the Christian Life – Titus 3

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #203.  Today we’ll read Titus chapter 3 together:  Paul examines living the Christian life among outsiders and, of course, he leaves some final instructions for Titus.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

I received an email this week from The Bible Project and I was excited to share it with you.  It introduced a new series called Bible Basics.  Cool!  I was all ready to dig in cuz we all like to go back-to-basics, right?  I clicked the link and it took me, not to their website, but to YouTube.  And there wasn’t one video but three!  I asked myself, “Did I blink?”  How did they get three videos done without my being notified?  

Then, at closer examination, each of the videos is only about a minute long.  What?  But it was true.  Each video is this quick dunk into three different mini-subjects…a small dose that can be consumed on the run.  I love it!  

You’ll get one minute of the History of Bible Translations, another minute on Choosing a Bible Translation, and a special minute called Who is Jesus?  Excellent question!  I’ll put the link in the Show Notes of this episode but in case you don’t have access to that for whatever reason, you can go to YouTube and in the search bar type The Bible Project Bible Basics.  I did that and located all three of the videos.

Gosh, I hope they do more of these.  Commit to the whole three minutes and tell me what you think at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Oh, and by the way…did I say Congratulations?  You know why, right?  That’s correct.  You’re finishing another book today.  Look at you go!

Titus Chapter 3

Christian Living among Outsiders

Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us —not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy.

I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.

Final Instructions and Closing

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.

Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

Closing Thoughts

Chapter 3 follows suit with the other two.  Straightforward, practical, soft-spoken – at least in the first four verses.  There is humility there; Paul remembering – and reminding – that we were all once separated from God.  He then goes on to point out that nothing happened because of anything we did.  This is a common theme in Paul’s letters as we’ve read several times before.  No, our Union with God is only thru His grace and mercy.  He poured out His Spirit on us thru Christ – justified – so that we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

What a beautiful picture.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Father, thank You.  Without Your plan of redemption, we would have no hope.  I pray that I – we – will be as grateful always as we are right now at this moment.  Help us who believe to stay devoted to good works so that we will not be unfruitful.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.