This lesson is from Titus 3:1-7. Titus 3:5 says, “he saved us.” This passage covers what we were before we were saved, what happened when we were saved, and what we should do now that we are saved.
What we were before we were saved
Titus 3:3 says, For we ourselves also were sometimes:
- Foolish – lacking God’s wisdom. Professors who deny creation may profess themselves to be wise, yet they are fools, Rom 1:22. People who don’t believe the scriptures are fools, Lk 24:25-27. Religious hypocrites are fools, Matt 23:17, 19.
- Disobedient – they disobey those in authority, including parents, teachers, governors, peace officers, judges, etc.
- Deceived – the greatest deceiver is the devil, Rev 12:9. And there are evil men and seducers, 2 Tim 3:13. So, it is easy, when you’re lost, to be deceived. When you’re deceived, you believe you can sin without consequence, America can defy God and yet prosper, the United Nations can negotiate world peace, all religions worship the same God, you can reject Jesus Christ and not go to hell, etc.
- Serving divers lusts and pleasures – when you’re lost, whatever you heart desires that your conscience allows, you do. They’re lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, 2 Tim 3:4. For some it does not matter how wicked, cruel, and evil it is.
- Living in malice and envy – malice is a desire to cause pain, injury or distress to another. You see this in theft, rape, vandalism, shootings, bullying, road rage, riots, etc. Envy and covetousness drive the world economies.
- Hateful, and hating one another – there is much talk of love. But the truth in the world is hatred. The world’s love is as fickle as Amnon’s love for Tamar, 2 Sam 13:4, 15. Our country is divided because half the people in it hate the other half.
Titus 3:4 says, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward men appeared.” He loved us while we were yet sinners, Rom 5:8. Godly love and kindness showed up when Jesus appeared, Jn 3:16. He was kind, Lk 6:35. And he showed his kindness and love to all men, 1 Tim 2:4-6.
What happened when we were saved
Titus 3:5 he saved us not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy. See Eph 2:8-9.
- He washed us – by the washing of regeneration. 1 Cor 6:11, Rev 1:5.
- He renewed us – by the renewing of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:24.
- He gave us the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:6. which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Acts 2:33. All who believe on Jesus receive the Holy Ghost, Jn 7:39.
- He justified us – Titus 3:7. That being justified by his grace. 1 Cor 6:11, Rom 5:9.
- He made us heirs – We should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Rom 8:17, Eph 1:11.
What we should do now that we are saved
Titus 3:1 says, Put them in mind:
- To be subject to principalities and powers – these are the powers of Rom 13:1-4 and 1 Pet 2:13-14
- To obey magistrates – those who are entrusted with the administration of the laws, like judges.
- To be ready to every good work – in the context, this is any good work, Gal 6:10. Prov 3:27-28.
- To speak evil of no man – Titus 3:2 i.e. not to slander, gossip, or lie about him. You can tell the truth about an evil man and warn others about him. See 2 Tim 2:17-18; 1 Tim 1:19-20; 3 Jn 9-10; etc.
- To be no brawlers – we’re not to quarrel and fight with each other.
- To be gentle – which is the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23. See 2 Tim 2:24
- To shew all meekness unto all men – Moses was very meek, Num 12:3, but he also dealt directly with Koran, Dathan and Abiram, the ten spies, those who were naked in Ex 32:25-28, etc. We deal with folks who are out of line with God in meekness, as well, 2 Tim 2:25-26.
Conclusion: now that we are saved, washed, renewed, Spirit-filled, and justified, we ought to be very different than we were before we were saved. The changes on the inside should manifest themselves thoroughly in our lives on the outside.