Attitude towards authorities and general public: (chap.3)
Paul urges Titus to teach the Cretan believers to develop an attitude for the respect of civil, governmental authorities and people in general. The people of Crete were very sensitive of their civil liberties and ready to run into any insurrection if their liberties are infringed.
Remember to live obedient and kind lives: (3:1-2):
As believers we must first obey our Saviour. It is the primary and our first choice. Obeying our authorities and civil law is our responsibility provided they do not infringe on our faith and allegiance towards God. Paul has reiterated this subject even in his letter to Romans (Rom.13:1-7). The Cretans are known for such acts. The Cretans should show respect to the authorities and be kind to the general public. In (1 Tim.2:1-3), Paul says that we must pray for our rulers. We must not simply be subject to the rulers, but also do what we can to be good citizen. We must be willing to participate in good works for the general public. A Christian cannot be slanderous but lovable, peaceable, considerate and show true humility towards all men. We must be a good citizen paying our taxes in time and live unblemished life in the society so that people may see our good works and praise the Lord. Our behaviour and actions are non-verbal communication which are more effective to being a person to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The work of God: (3:3-7):
There was a time when we too were foolish. We did not obey. We did not know the truth. We were slaves to many kinds of evil desires and feelings. “we were dead in our transgressions and sins” (Eph.2:1). We spent our lives hurting other people. We were jealous of them. People hated us, and we also hated them. The people in Crete too had such past lives. Paul gives emphasis on 3-persons of Trinity that God our Saviour appeared to us. The redemption work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of the Father and sending the Holy Spirit in our midst to guide and lead us in this world.
He saved us not because we had done good things but because of His mercy. He is kind and He loves people. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new spiritual life. Just as the wages of sin is death, the benefit of the Spirit is New life in Christ. When the Trinity has performed the acts in human life, the result is that God’s kindness, His love, mercy and grace are richly showered upon us. We can draw His richness and share His wealth and His Kingdom forever. this calls for Godly life and we must be careful to maintain with Godly works too.
When we ask for forgiveness and repent of our sins, He gives us new life. Our old things will pass away and day-by-day as we feed on His word, our life gets refined. “Therefore is any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor.5:17). He did this because He loves us. He did this because He is kind to us. We are now God’s children. Therefore, in this present world we have the right to enjoy a new relationship with Jesus Christ. And when our bodies die, our spirit will live with Christ forever.
The good works do not necessarily mean some religious works viz, working and doing service inside the church, choir singing, keeping the church clean and hygiene or holding an official position in the church etc. It also means doing good to all those needy believers and needy neighbours so that through our goodness we can even bring the heathen. Further apostle calls for good works through all his letters, the summary is given (thoughts taken from Adam Clarke commentary):
- Telling about the ruined state of man both in soul and body.
- Telling about the infinite goodness of god who brought the greatest salvation for the humanity.
- God’s manifestation of goodness through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
- The justification from the sins for all those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Submitting to the Holy Spirit for the edification and purification of the heart.
- The greatest hope for the believers of the resurrection of the body and the soul and the final glorification.
- The complete obedience to the will of God and walking worthy of the calling of the Lord.
So every believer may be careful to devote himself to doing what is good (i.e. the above points) which are excellent and profitable to everyone.