A Message of Hope

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2: 11

Our goal this week is to understand our commission to reach out to the world around us and show them the gospel of God’s salvation. The good news of a Savior who enables us to have eternal life in God’s household. In doing this, we can examine Paul’s instructions to Titus on the island of Crete. Here we find practical guidance for our lives that tells us how to influence those around us.

We remember chapter two of Titus because that is where he is told what to teach the different demographic groups in the churches. He begins with the older men, then moves on to the older women who teach the younger women, and then gives instructions on what to teach the younger men. These lessons are as applicable today as they were then in the first century in the midst of a culture that was filled with “liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)

But let’s focus on the last group Paul tells Titus to minister to. Let’s examine the words to the least people that were Christians there on Crete. In verse 9, Paul tells Titus to teach slaves how to act. Servants, people subjugated and forced to work for others. Paul’s guidance to this underclass is to be subject to their masters and please them. Don’t talk back or steal from them, he says. Slaves are to show their masters they can be fully trusted. But why?

Paul’s conclusion speaks to us. He says be good servants so that the gospel will be attractive. We have good news. People should flock to it. Paul says our actions have a direct impact on others’ response. We offer God’s salvation to the world by what we do; by our attitude; by our whole lives. Perhaps we should embrace our role as a slave to God in this world and, by our actions, offer his grace to the people around us.

Scripture: Titus 2:9 – 3:8