⏱ 10 min read

• Day 41 of 50, and we are going strong with a powerful word from Minister James Deke. You’ll be super blessed by this! 📖🔥🤗
• Maybe you missed Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, and 1&2 Timothy, but hey, you can join in and let’s “tattoo” God’s Word in our hearts! 📖🤍
• God bless you, and looking forward to your lessons, insights, and comments.

“This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.” Titus 3:8 (NLT)

In the book of Titus, Paul writes to his son, instructing him on church leadership, wrong teachings, and how the believers in Crete should live.

Interestingly, Paul’s description of the false teachings in Crete closely resembles the situation in Ephesus: a combination of selective Jewish observances (such as being circumcised and abstaining from certain foods) and the pursuit of controversial speculations (Titus 1:10-14, 1 Tim 1:3-7).

• However, these teachings did not produce transformed lives because they were not rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• It is the messages about Jesus Christ (Christocentric) that help people to live the Christ-like life.
• It has the power to shape character, renew minds, and produce genuine godliness (Romans 1:16; Titus 2:11–12).

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ~ Titus 2:11–12

In addressing the concerns in Crete, Paul instructs Titus to insist on Christocentric teachings, so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. He made it very clear, that these teachings are good and beneficial for everyone (Titus 3:8). 

In yesterday’s write-up by Deac. Denise Oppong, she highlighted some of these teachings from Titus chapter two. Let’s briefly recap those before continuing in chapter 3. 

Recap from Titus 2:

• a. Church leaders, teach the word: emphasizing sound doctrine and integrity in teaching
• b. Older men, toughen up in the right areas: exhibiting self-control, endurance, and faith
• c. Older women, train and nurture: teaching younger women by example
• d. Young women and men, follow right: embrace purity, discipline, and godly conduct

Now in Titus 3, Paul continues by outlining additional teachings Titus must emphasize – teachings that lead to godly living, effective witness, and spiritual maturity.

1. Submission to rulers and authorities (v1)

Christian witness is not only doctrinal but civic as well. Believers must model responsible citizenship by respecting and obeying authorities, except when obedience would violate God’s commands (Acts 5:29). This prevents unnecessary opposition to the gospel and reflects God’s orderliness (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17). 

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ~ 1 Peter 2:13–17

Submission also includes honoring authority in the home (Ephesians 5:21–25), the workplace (Colossians 3:22–24), and the church (Hebrews 13:17). A Christian who respects lawful authority becomes trustworthy, influential, and responsible, a living testimony of godliness to society.

How can we reflect Christ in our civic and social responsibilities?

• Be diligent and honest at work (Colossians 3:22–24).
• Respect leaders even when you disagree, praying for them faithfully (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ~ Colossians 3:22–24

• Avoid complaining and strife (Philippians 2:14–15).
• Represent Christ in your neighbourhood, contributing to peace and order (Jeremiah 29:7).

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ~ Philippians 2:14–15

Christians should be known as the most faithful, trustworthy, respectful, and peace-loving people in any community.

2. Godly conduct towards all people (v2)

• Believers must guard their speech, avoid slander, stop unnecessary arguments, and practice gentleness and courtesy toward everyone, believers and unbelievers alike. 
• Such reflects the character of Christ who was “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), positions the Christian as a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) and to let our speech always be “gracious” (Colossians 4:6).

It is worth noting that your speech can heal or injure, courtesy can open doors for evangelism, and gentleness can defuse conflict. Often, your life is the Bible someone reads before they ever open Scripture.

How can you practice gentleness with difficult people?

Gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit in action (Galatians 5:22–23). It is not weakness, but Spirit-empowered strength under control.

• Pause before responding: A gentle tongue turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1).
• Pray for the person immediately: Prayer (even in silence) cultivates or shifts your heart (Matthew 5:44).
• Remember Christ’s example: He was gentle even with those who opposed Him (Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:23).

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you ~ Matthew 5:44

• See people through God’s eyes: Difficult behavior often comes from hidden wounds and you must respond with love (Ephesians 4:2).

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

• Practice “grace-filled speech”: Let your words be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

• Walk in the Spirit: Only the Holy Spirit helps us respond with gentleness instead of irritation (Galatians 5:16).

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Gentleness is not natural; it is supernatural. We depend on the Holy Spirit to demonstrate Christ-like meekness.

3. Rely and live by God’s grace (v 4-7)

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Eph 2:8). After receiving salvation, walking worthy of the Lord is also a walk of grace because we can’t be saved by grace and walk the Christian faith by works.

• This was Paul’s concern with the Galatians; they started in the Spirit (grace) but attempted to continue in the flesh (works) (Gal 3:1-3). 
• We must rely on the finished works of Christ to live the life He has called us to live.

Indeed, the grace of God is not a concept, but God’s power working in us (1 Cor 15:10, Gal 2:21). This means we must depend daily on the finished work of Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower godly living. The Christian life is not lived by trying harder but by yielding deeper.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me"  ~ 1 Cor 15:10

How can we live by grace daily?

• Begin each day with surrendering to the Lord: “Lord, I rely on Your grace today, not my ability.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
• Draw strength through prayer and the Word: Grace multiplies through the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:2, Isaiah 40:28-31)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5–6

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ~ 2 Peter 1:2

• Refuse self-condemnation: When you fail, run back to God and receive His grace and mercy, don’t drown in guilt and condemnation (Hebrews 4:15-16; Romans 8:1)
• Acknowledge God’s work in your life: Like Paul, say, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
• Extend grace to others: The grace that saved you is the grace that must flow through you (Colossians 3:13).

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ~ Colossians 3:13

Conclusion

The teachings Paul urged Titus to insist on are not merely doctrinal points, they are life-shaping truths designed to produce believers whose character reflects Christ.

• When believers live in submission to authority, practice godly conduct toward all, and rely fully on the grace of God, they become a living testimony of the gospel’s transforming power.
• These teachings are indeed “good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8), because they cultivate maturity, unity, and fruitfulness among God’s people.

In a world where false teachings, hostility, disorder, and self-centered living are common, the Christian who embraces these Christ-centered teachings stands out as light in darkness (Matthew 5:14–16).

• The grace that saved us also empowers us to do good works, not to earn salvation, but to express it (Ephesians 2:10).
• As we allow these truths to govern our speech, actions, and attitudes, we partner with the Holy Spirit in shaping lives, strengthening the church, and glorifying Christ.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ~ (Ephesians 2:10)

• May we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to what is good, relying not on our strength but on God’s abundant grace.
• And as we do, may our lives continually reflect Jesus in such a way that others are drawn to Him through us.

~ Minister James Deke

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