Titus - 12

A Study Of The Book Of Titus.

Lesson 12 Chapter 2:1 – 3

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 1 “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
1. “Put them in mind…” of whom they are; they are Christians and church members, and these people hold a different mind set toward things. As Christians we often need to be reminded of whom we are and what we are supposed to be doing. As Pastors we are credited by the Lord for doing so. 1 Timothy 4:6 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."
2. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers…” We had this in our Romans studies. Romans 13:1-2 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2.) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

a. If God has ordained the powers that be; whether good or bad then we must obey them.

b. Obeying the powers that be will not separate us from the Lord. Romans 8:38 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,”

3. “…to obey magistrates…” – this means - to be persuaded by a ruler – to do as they command unless it conflicts with God. See we must all understand that God knows what is going to happen therefore he is ever so watchful over all things. We are to go along with them trusting God.

a. Ecclesiastes 8:2 - 5 "I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. (3.) Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. (4.) Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? (5.) Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment."

b. 1 Peter 2:13 - 17 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; (14.) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (15.) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (16.) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (17.) Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

4. Life Application Bible Commentary: "As Christians, our first allegiance is to Jesus as Lord, but we must obey our government and its leaders as well. Christians are not above the law. Obeying the civil law is only the beginning of our Christian responsibility; we must do what we can to be good citizens. In a democracy, this means being willing to serve. We should promote the welfare of the community, not just stand apart or stand in judgment. The church should be a testimony for its constructive spirit.
   
   Are there times when we should not submit to the government? We should never allow government to force us to disobey God. Jesus and his apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reasons; when they disobeyed, it was in order to follow their higher loyalty to God. Their disobedience was not cheap: They were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, and executed for their convictions. Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences."
1. Verse 2 “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
1. “To speak evil of no man…” The idea is that we are not to slander, revile, or defame anyone. We are not to say anything to anyone, or of anyone, which will do him injury.
2. We are never to utter anything which we know to be false about him or to give such a coloring to his words or conduct as to do him wrong in any way. Proverbs 6:16 - 19 "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17.) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18.) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19.) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
3. 2 Timothy 2:24 - 26 "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25.) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26.) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
4. “…shewing all meekness unto all men.” Not just to other Christians but to all men. Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
5. 1 Peter 2:23 “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
2. Verse 3 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
1. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish…” let us never forget what we were before salvation and then put ourselves in their place because we certainly all can.
2. But now that Christ has came to us we are to rid ourselves of these things, they are simply a reminder. 1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10.) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (11.) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
3. This remembrance of whom and what we were should allow us to better deal with the lost in this world.