How to Live in This World

Titus 3:1–8 (NKJV)

After instructing Titus to teach the people in Crete about the greatness of God’s grace and the expected behavior in response to that grace, Paul begins to give specific instructions on how the people of God should relate to each other and to the world around them. He speaks to the Christian’s responsibility to rulers and to all men.

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Titus 3:1-3

Paul tells Titus specifically to be subject to those who rule over them, whether in the church or in the world. While Christians may live under a regime whose policies and laws are not congruent with Biblical teaching, there is still a responsibility to obey those laws as long as they do not require you to sin. Be ready for every good work and do not speak evil of anyone. Christians should live peaceable lives, being gentle and exhibiting humility in every situation and to all men. Why should we bear with those with whom we may not agree? Because we were once just as they are. We were once foolish, rebellious, deceived in our thinking, following our own desires and lustful pleasures. Sinners, past and present, lived with malice toward others and envied the successful and powerful. We were—at least a times—full of hate toward one another. This attitude brought displeasure to God, but he extended to us mercy and grace, and we were saved. We should extend the same toward those who still live in their sin, for we received grace while still in our sin.

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Titus 3:4-8

In the spirit of magnanimity, Christians should remember the wonderful kindness and love of God our Savior. We should not take for granted the powerful gift given to us in spite of our sin. We did not deserve our salvation, we did not earn it with works of righteousness, but by His mercy we were saved. He washed us and made us new by the power of the Holy Spirit. He poured out His Spirit abundantly through Jesus Christ, justifying us by His great grace. He made us part of His family, grafting us into the bloodline of Christ. We are heirs of eternal life in God. This saying, says Paul, is faithful and worthy to be affirmed over and over. Titus is to constantly remind the Christians in Crete of the grace they have received, so that they will continually believe in God and maintain good works in their everyday lives. This lifestyle will be beneficial to them and everyone around them. Good works are the outgrowth of a life redeemed by grace.

This teaching is pivotal for not only the acquisition of eternal life, but also for the maintenance of a saved life. If someone cannot distinguish between the lost and the saved, then one of them is not truly exhibiting the lifestyle their soul‘s condition portends. Be sure that, as much as it is in your control, that you represent Christ in all that you do. You may have once been a sinner, lost in your trespasses and sins, but the regenerated soul should exhibit the grateful grace that came one’s way at the moment of salvation. Be different, be saved, be holy, for the greatest gift has come to you, grace from the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord!