25 Oct. The right way to behave
"Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace and to be gentle and polite to all people."
"In the past we were also foolish. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous. People hated us and we hated each other."
"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour was shown, he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit."
"God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Being made right with God by his grace, we could have the hope of receiving the life that never ends..."
"But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the [Jewish] law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone."
"After a first and second warning, avoid someone who causes arguments. You can know that such people are evil and sinful; their own sins prove them wrong."
"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, try hard to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to stay there this winter. Do all you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey so that they have everything they need."
"Our people must learn to use their lives for doing good deeds to provide what is necessary so that their lives will not be useless."
"All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all."
(Titus 3:1-15)
At the end of his letter to Titus in Crete, Paul gives some advice on Christian conduct. Believers should submit to the rule of the civil authorities; they should not speak evil of anyone, but should be friendly and gentle towards everyone. After all, the believers themselves once behaved foolishly – before God gave them a ‘new birth’ and a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
On the other hand, believers shouldn’t waste too much time arguing with those who base their reputation before God on long lists of ancestors or quarrel about the minutiae of the Jewish law.
Paul gives some final instructions to Titus, who is asked to join Paul at Nicopolis (on the south west coast of Greece – where Paul has decided to spend the winter) as soon as one of Paul’s fellow-workers – Artemas or Tychicus – arrives in Crete.
Paul commends Zenas and Apollos (who have brought this letter) and asks Titus to supply them with all they need in order to continue their journey.
Paul finishes his letter by reminding Titus that believers should spend their time doing good deeds “so that their lives will not be useless” (Titus 3:14).
He then sends his greetings and closes with a benediction. “Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15).
The photo shows Dikti Mountain in Crete (by Lathiot).
You can read the whole of Paul's Letter to Titus @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/pauls-letter-to-titus-in…/