As was true with Timothy in Ephesus, so it was also true in Crete, that false teachers had arisen and were wreaking havoc on the churches. These false teachers downplayed what it meant to be a Christian. They were suggesting by their lives and teaching with their words that you could be a Christian and continue to live sinful, self-centered lives. So, Paul writes this letter to Titus to correct this erroneous teaching and begins by emphasizing that the faith that saves arises from truth that results in transformed lives. This is simply a fact. It is a spiritual reality. Listen to the way Paul puts it at the end of v. 1 — "their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness.” There is truth that corresponds to, or gives rise to godliness. In other words, saving truth transforms. The faith that saves you also works to sanctify you. The message that you believe in order to make you right with God also puts you on a pathway to grow in godliness.
This reality, that the gospel message that saves also transforms, governs everything that Paul says in the first 4 verses of the letter.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Tom Ascol
Message 20 Life in the Household of God Grace Baptist Church
