Titus Chapter 3

Paul, an expressive and faithful worker of God, wrote letters not only to the churches, but also to three individuals – Philemon, Titus and Timothy.

Paul gave useful pointers to Titus whom he left in the island of Crete to build the believers up in the faith. He mentioned ‘good works’ three times in this chapter alone:

• “… to obey, to be ready for every good work” (v1)
• “… that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works…” (v8)
• “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (v14)

Broadly, there are 3 types of good work we can pursue as Christians. The first being God’s commission for us to preach His word (2 Tim 4:2) and the various ministries we serve in.

We are stewards of God’s word and His talents (Matt 25:14-30) and we use these to do good work. The second, our secular work (Eph 6:5-7). The third, to render help to weaker members in church or in our local communities (1 Tim 6:18).

From Paul’s letters and from accounts of his own experience, we learn of mindsets and behaviours which are worth pursuing whilst doing good works:

A worker of God has a goal, that his work is pleasing to God whom he serves.

Stewards of God’s word must handle the truth diligently and accurately (2 Tim 2:15). If God approves of us, all the time, labour, and efforts we have put into the work will pay off. If not, all our fervour and diligence amount to nothing.

Paul knew this best. He had been unrelenting and industrious in his persecution of the Christians, thinking he was doing a good work. In his zeal for the law, he worked tirelessly with the authorities and achieved much success in capturing the followers of Jesus and putting them in jail. His work attitude and achievements were commendable, but because he did not know God and His ways, Paul’s work had the opposite effect of turning people away from Christ, instead of leading them toward Christ.

After he believed, Paul saw himself as being the chief sinner (1 Tim 1:15). As workers of God, do our work please Him? In church and outside, it is easy to elevate ourselves with visible, good works. This is especially so when we have done our work well, and people recognise and associate our names with these good works.

But as Christians, we want our good works to align with God’s intent, and point our brethren, family and friends to our Saviour instead, to know Him and to glorify Him.

A worker of God must be spiritually mature.

We have a carnal nature (v3, v9-11). This carnal nature prevents us from receiving the things of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14). In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he cited ‘envy, strife, and divisions’ being present where carnal men were (1 Cor 3:3).

Given our predisposition to sin, we need to nurture our faith well, so as not to give way to such self-serving actions. Sure, we may feel good after ranting at length about a misgiving, we may even have acted on a revenge toward someone who offended us previously.

We may also feel exceptionally happy after receiving praise for an assignment done well. But in these situations, where is God while we are on cloud nine basking in praise? Where is God as I watch with relish while my enemy suffers a setback? These are moments which are devoid of God and where sin lurks.

We must not engage or indulge in them. The precious Holy Spirit and the word of God give us the much needed renewal in our knowledge of God (Col 3:10). When we have become spiritually mature, we will be able to receive and speak the wisdom of God (1 Cor 2:6-7).

A worker of God cooperates with his co-workers to build up the church to the stature of Christ.

Hymn 89 reminds us that God’s grace abounds. “We ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another…. but according to His mercy He saved us” (v3,5).

When we reflect upon our own Christian journeys, we can use the same kindness and love on our fellow brethren, and build each other up, so that the church may be edified, and God’s name lifted. Our brethren in the same ministries are not our competitors, rather we encourage one another and meet each other’s needs, so that no one lacks anything (v13-14).

May we submit to God’s guidance.

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