The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (CL)

Titus 3:1-15

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 

¹⁵ All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. 

Grace be with you all. 

St Paul is teaching Titus what is necessary to teach. He began chapter 2 by telling him to teach "sound doctrine." Now he reminds him to teach people to be obedient to every authority over them, which would include pastoral authority and governmental authority. There needs to be teachers in the church ready to speak the truth.

These teachers need to remind people they have been saved. They have not been saved by any work of righteousness they have done. They have been saved by the washing of regeneration, or Baptism. They have been saved by Jesus Christ. People are justified by grace alone, not their works.

But St Paul is not going to leave us to be lazy and gluttons. St Paul tells us to be devoted to good works. You are supposed to be busy with doing good for other people. Not because your knowledge, wisdom, or actions will bring you closer to God, or save you. But because these are all done in service to the LORD. Those who would desire to cause divisions based on works, or improper teaching are condemning themselves.

It is still necessary to teach sound doctrine. It is necessary for us to be taught that Christ has redeemed us. He has made us heirs of the promise. He has washed us and regenerated us in the Holy Spirit. And so we should devote ourselves to good works, which all part of St Paul's final instructions for Titus.