Titus 3:1-2
1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
This is Paul's letter to Titus. If we go back up to Titus 3:1 it says Remind them when in the Greek text means to "Go on reminding" Titus was to constantly remind the Christians under his care to show proper respect and humility towards all people.
I want to talk to you about the words that you say about others. We often times will say things about someone that can hurt not only them, but others around us.
Have you ever been around someone that starts talking bad about someone else and before you know it they have spread it to several people. Then later when you meet that person they are not as bad as what you thought.
We must be careful about what we say about someone. We may be destroying that person or their ministry.
I want to also throw in the word "Jealousy" This is another thing that maybe Titus wasn't dealing with but some people here might deal with.
Do you remember when Solomon was ruling and the two women got into an argument over a baby that was switched by the mother because hers had died?
Titus 3:3
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
This shows why Titus should remind them of the things mentioned in Titus 3:1-2.
We need to remember that we ourselves are not perfect. We talk about someone else and how bad they are when we have been there or still there doing wrong.
Remembering this work of God builds four things in us.
- Gratitude for how God changed us.
- Humility as we see that it was His work that changed us.
- Kindness to others in the same place.
- Faith that God can change those who are still in that place.
Titus 3:4-8
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.
We need to remember that it is the love of God that saved us. We cannot make it in to Heaven by our works or what we do that is good. We will only make it in to Heaven through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
We must completely turn ourselves around.