International Sunday School Lesson August 25, 2024
Text: Titus 3:3-11
Background
Today’s lesson is a continuation of our study in Titus. We are going to discuss the balance between being saved by grace and living a new life in Christ. The church has made an error in both directions over the course of its history. It is a balance. We are saved by grace. We are not working for our salvation. However, salvation brings a new life to the Christian. Christians do not continue the old life that they had before they encountered Christ.
Titus 3:3 (ESV) 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.
All of us were saved from sin. All of us were in bondage to sin. All sin is sin. There is no big sin and little sin. Your sins are as bad as everyone else’s sin. None of us should be prideful or look down upon others for what they did before they were saved. All sin is an abomination to God and worthy of death in hell.
Acts 26:15-18 (ESV) And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. [16] But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, [17] delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you [18] to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
This is Paul recounting the story of his conversion. He was on the road to Damascus and on his way to arrest Christians. He saw Jesus. These are the words that Jesus said to him that day. Paul was being separated from his old life to preach the gospel. Paul was being transformed from a wall to a messenger.
Justified by Grace
Titus 3:4-7 (ESV) 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.
We did not deserve to be saved. It is by the mercy of God that saves us. It is by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. It is not the good works that we have done nor is it the future good works that we will do. It is only by the mercy of God Almighty that we are saved.
Galatians 2:16 (ESV) yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
We are not being saved by our good works. The new birth triggers good works in us. But those good works are not the reason we are saved. It is only by the mercy of God Almighty that we are saved. That does not mean that we continue the same ungodly life that we lived before our new birth. The change in our life is an outgrowth of that new birth. Salvation is by grace. But salvation results in a changed life.
Devoted to Good Works
Titus 3:8 (ESV) 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.
Again, let’s be careful to understand that the saved children of God live a different life then they lived before their salvation. We are not working to be saved; we are working because we are saved.
1 Peter 1:20-22 (ESV) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you [21] who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. [22] Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
God the Father sent God the Son into this world to provide salvation to anyone who would accept it.
Foolish Controversy
Titus 3:9-11 (ESV) 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.
There are so many trivial questions and controversies that can be generated from the Bible. It is fine to ponder over the trivial things. Just do not argue over the trivial things. The important things in the Bible are plain. Defend the important things. Grin and smile over disagreements on the trivial things. Focus on the major things. Accept the work Christ on the cross. Love everyone. Share your faith with everyone. Be good to everyone. Honor God with everything that you do. Live a holy life. These major things are plain in the Bible. There are a thousand different trivial questions that you can argue over and lose friends over. Don’t do it. Just ponder over the trivial things. Prioritize the major things. Like the old saying goes, major on the majors and minor on the minors.
1 Timothy 1:4-7 (ESV) nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5] The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
There are times when we all must take three big deep breaths and calm down. It is so easy to get wound up. It is so easy to build yourself up in your own mind and take great offense at others for their opinions. Watch what you say on Facebook. Watch what you say in those Bible discussions at church. Make sure you differentiate between an opinion you have and a universal fundamental doctrine. Do not treat a difference of opinion the same as a heretical error. Try to have a good relationship with everyone. It is never okay to lose your temper over a trivial difference of opinion.
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