Titus 3:1–11 “Love and Holiness”

Titus 3:1-11 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• The Stand – Hillsong
• Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
• At the Cross (Love Ran Red) – Chris Tomlin

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Jesus Loves Everyone | God’s Story – Lesson for Kids
• Good in Every Way | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Everybody, Everywhere – Song for Kids
• Thanks God | Scuba VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The Apostle continues to give guidance on how Christians should live among those who do not believe, or in the broader society. Since Christians were a very small minority at that time, it was important that they be recognized as good and beneficial people in the wider community. To do so, they had to faithfully carry out their duties as citizens (“to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient,” v. 1) and be good neighbors to all people (v. 2). The Apostle reminds them how unjust and wicked their lives were before they came to know Jesus Christ (v. 3). The phrase “we ourselves also were once” is a rhetorical strategy. Even though the Apostle himself had lived righteously as a scholar of the Law before his conversion, he identifies himself with his readers.

It was only in such a condition that salvation became possible “when God our Savior revealed His kindness and love” (v. 4). It was not because we had any qualifications, but entirely because of God’s “mercy” (v. 5). By that grace, we received “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” God poured out the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior to bring about salvation (v. 6), and we “were justified by His grace so that we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (v. 7).

The Apostle urges Titus to boldly proclaim and teach this truth of salvation, so that “those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good” (v. 8). He then adds, “these things are excellent and profitable for everyone” (v. 8). On the other hand, “foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law” (v. 9) are disgraceful and harmful. Therefore, “warn a divisive person once, and then a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them” (v. 10). Such a person is already warped and sinful and has gone astray beyond recovery (v. 11).

Meditation:

The church is a community that practices the love of the cross. The love of the cross means unconditional and unlimited acceptance and embrace of others, regardless of their conditions or attitudes. This is because we believe in the power of love. A person who has truly experienced the power of love within God’s grace cannot remain the same as before (2:12). Because we believe this, the church must extend love to everyone—without condition and without limit.

At the same time, the church is not only a “community of love” but also a “community of holiness.” It must cultivate and display a high level of virtue that cannot be found in the world. Only then can the church shine like “a city on a hill” (Matt. 5:14). To achieve such holiness, the church must nurture its members with “sound teaching” (2:1), while also correcting and restoring those who have strayed.

Restoring someone who has gone astray is difficult. This is why Jesus taught us to deal with such matters in three steps (Matt. 18:15–17). We must do our best to bring them back, but there comes a point where the process must stop. The Apostle Paul also gives a realistic prescription for this issue. If someone has gone down a false path and starts dividing the community by drawing others along, then that person must be removed from the community. In such a case, “a break in love” can actually become an act of love.

Prayer:

Lord, when we gather as the church and pursue a higher holiness, we sometimes become legalistic. When we pursue the love of the cross, holiness can become blurred. It is difficult to discern when we should continue to embrace ourselves and when we should stop. That is why we depend on You more. Teach us to learn and practice the love of the cross so that we may also achieve true holiness. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God calls the church to love everyone without limits and to remain holy and faithful to His truth.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What do you think it means to “love someone no matter what”? Can you give an example?
  • Why do you think Jesus wants the church to shine like a “city on a hill”?
  • How can you show both love and holiness when you are with your friends?
    
• Youth
  • Why is it sometimes hard to balance love and holiness in the church?
  • How does unconditional love reflect God’s grace in your own life?
  • What can our youth group do to shine like a “city on a hill” in Fairfax County?