Titus was a gentile convert who had responded to the preaching of Paul. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas and was left in charge of the new church on the island of Crete. Somewhere along Paul’s travels he wrote to Titus. There are a few verses that seem to be a simple summary of Romans and Galatians put together and simplified for us.
Enjoy this from chapter 3, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 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, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
There is the entire Gospel in a nutshell. If you have difficulty with some of Paul’s work in Romans, Peter admitted to struggling to understand Paul (II Peter 3:16), all you need to read is Titus 3. If you understand this you get it. It contains all the elements. 1. We didn’t do the righteous deeds. 2. It is all mercy. 3. We are justified (declared sinless) by grace. 4. We are heirs of eternal life. 5. We are generously filled with the Holy Spirit.
I like things when they are made simple. I used to tell my ministerial students, “The mark of an educated person is not one who makes simple things complicated but one who can make complicated things simple.” Paul was a master of the latter while also being able to challenge the brightest minds.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 5, 2013
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org