Sunday Jan. 23, 2011...Scripture: Titus: 3

Sneak Preview Class

Paul's message to Titus was to remind the followers of Christ who they were and what Christ had done by His sacrifice and grace.  We need to remember that we are saved by His blood and not by our righteousness.  This chapter also sends a strong message of how we are to confront those who don't share in our faith...vs.2:  "to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone."   This led to a discussion about slander, speaking evil of others, and how we, as Christians, are not to do it.  In 2nd Peter 2: 11, Peter points out that even the angels do not speak slanderously of the unrighteous in the presence of the Lord. 

Paul knows that we can only be effective witnesses by being obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.  As we talked about it, we came to the conclusion that we must "walk the talk and not just talk the talk".  Paul is frequently pointing out the example that he is and his encouragement in his letters is that we need to be examples to those who are not saved.  Confrontations, quarrels, dissension are described by Paul as unprofitable and worthless.

The Holy Spirit will lead us in love and to be lovers of all....to see people as worthy of our respect, our love, our generosity, our care, just as Jesus loved us when we were yet sinners and unrighteous.