Thursday 18 June 2015

Words for the Wise, Who is Jesus to you ? Hebrews 1 NIV


Hebrews 1 New International Version (NIV)


God’s Final Word: His Son


1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.


The Son Superior to Angels


5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,


“You are my Son;

    today I have become your Father”[a]?


Or again,


“I will be his Father,

    and he will be my Son”[b]?


6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,


“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]


7 In speaking of the angels he says,


“He makes his angels spirits,

    and his servants flames of fire.”[d]


8 But about the Son he says,



“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.


9

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]


10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.


11

They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.


12

You will roll them up like a robe;

    like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.”[f]


13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

    until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet”[g]?


14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?


Who is Jesus?,  from Elim Missions


 Hebrews 1


 Here are 10 things regarding who Jesus is. Meditate on one of these today ...

 God, v3,8

 Purifier, v3

 Relational, v5

 Worshipped, v6

 Eternal, v8,11

 Joyful, v9

 Creator, v10

 Unchanging, v12

 Rest, v13

 Victorious, v13


Matthew Henry's Commentary


Verses 1-3


Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates from the different way and manner of God’s communicating himself and his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe,


I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under the Old Testament. We have here an account, 1. Of the persons by whom God delivered his mind under the Old Testament; they were the prophets, that is, persons chosen of God, and qualified by him, for that office of revealing the will of God to men. No man takes this honour to himself, unless called; and whoever are called of God are qualified by him. 2. The persons to whom God spoke by the prophets: To the fathers, to all the Old-Testament saints who were under that dispensation. God favoured and honoured them with much clearer light than that of nature, under which the rest of the world were left. 3. The order in which God spoke to men in those times that went before the gospel, those past times: he spoke to his ancient people at sundry times and in divers manners. (1.) At sundry times, or by several parts, as the word signifies, which may refer either to the several ages of the Old-Testament dispensation—the patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the prophetic; or to the several gradual openings of his mind concerning the Redeemer: to Adam, that the Messiah should come of the seed of the woman,—to Abraham, that he should spring from his loins,—to Jacob, that he should be of the tribe of Judah,—to David, that he should be of his house,—to Micah, that he should be born at Bethlehem,—to Isaiah, that he should be born of a virgin. (2.) In divers manners, according to the different ways in which God though fit to communicate his mind to his prophets; sometimes by the illapses of his Spirit, sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by an audible voice, sometimes by legible characters under his own hand, as when he wrote the ten commandments on tables of stone. Of some of these different ways God himself gave an account in Num. 12:6-8, If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses: with him I will speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches.


II. God’s method of communicating his mind and will under the New-Testament dispensation, these last days as they are called, that is, either towards the end of the world, or the end of the Jewish state. The times of the gospel are the last times, the gospel revelation is the last we are to expect from God. There was first the natural revelation; then the patriarchal, by dreams, visions, and voices; then the Mosaic, in the law given forth and written down; then the prophetic, in explaining the law, and giving clearer discoveries of Christ: but now we must expect no new revelation, but only more of the Spirit of Christ to help us better to understand what is already revealed. Now the excellency of the gospel revelation above the former consists in two things:—


1. It is the final, the finishing revelation, given forth in the last days of divine revelation, to which nothing is to be added, but the canon of scripture is to be settled and sealed: so that now the minds of men are no longer kept in suspense by the expectation of new discoveries, but they rejoice in a complete revelation of the will of God, both preceptive and providential, so far as is necessary for them to know in order to their direction and comfort. For the gospel includes a discovery of the great events that shall befal the church of God to the end of the world.


2. It is a revelation which God has made by his Son, the most excellent messenger that was ever sent into the world, far superior to all the ancient patriarchs and prophets, by whom God communicated his will to his people in former times. And here we have an excellent account of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


(1.) The glory of his office, and that in three respects:—[1.] God hath appointed him to be heir of all things. As God, he was equal to the Father; but, as God-man and Mediator, he was appointed by the Father to be the heir of all things, the sovereign Lord of all, the absolute disposer, director, and governor of all persons and of all things, Ps. 2:6, 7. All power in heaven and earth is given to him; all judgment is committed to him, Matt. 28:18; John 5:22. [2.] By him God made the worlds, both visible and invisible, the heavens and the earth; not as an instrumental cause, but as his essential word and wisdom. By him he made the old creation, by him he makes the new creature, and by him he rules and governs both. [3.] He upholds all things by the word of his power: he keeps the world from dissolving. By him all things consist. The weight of the whole creation is laid upon Christ: he supports the whole and all the parts. When, upon the apostasy, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, bound it up again, and established it by his almighty power and goodness. None of the ancient prophets sustained such an office as this, none was sufficient for it.


(2.) Hence the apostle passes to the glory of the person of Christ, who was able to execute such an office: He was the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, Heb. 1:3. This is a high and lofty description of the glorious Redeemer, this is an account of his personal excellency. [1.] He is, in person, the Son of God, the only-begotten Son of God, and as such he must have the same nature. This personal distinction always supposes one and the same nature. Every son of man is man; were not the nature the same, the generation would be monstrous. [2.] The person of the Son is the glory of the Father, shining forth with a truly divine splendour. As the beams are effulgent emanations of the sun, the father and fountain of light, Jesus Christ in his person is God manifest in the flesh, he is light of light, the true Shechinah. [3.] The person of the Son is the true image and character of the person of the Father; being of the same nature, he must bear the same image and likeness. In beholding the power, wisdom, and goodness, of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom, and goodness, of the Father; for he hath the nature and perfections of God in him. He that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father; that is, he hath seen the same Being. He that hath known the Son hath known the Father, John 14:7-9. For the Son is in the Father, and the Father in the Son; the personal distinction is no other than will consist with essential union. This is the glory of the person of Christ; the fulness of the Godhead dwells, not typically, but really, in him.


(3.) From the glory of the person of Christ he proceeds to mention the glory of his grace; his condescension itself was truly glorious. The sufferings of Christ had this great honour in them, to be a full satisfaction for the sins of his people: By himself he purged away our sins, that is, by the proper innate merit of his death and bloodshed, by their infinite intrinsic value; as they were the sufferings of himself, he has made atonement for sin. Himself, the glory of his person and nature, gave to his sufferings such merit as was a sufficient reparation of honour to God, who had suffered an infinite injury and affront by the sins of men.


(4.) From the glory of his sufferings we are at length led to consider the glory of his exaltation: When by himself he had purged away our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, at his Father’s right hand. As Mediator and Redeemer, he is invested with the highest honour, authority, and activity, for the good of his people; the Father now does all things by him, and receives all the services of his people from him. Having assumed our nature, and suffered in it on earth, he has taken it up with him to heaven, and there it has the high honour to be next to God, and this was the reward of his humiliation.


Now it was by no less a person than this that God in these last days spoke to men; and, since the dignity of the messenger gives authority and excellency to the message, the dispensations of the gospel must therefore exceed, very far exceed, the dispensation of the law.


When Jesus walked through his homeland, he asked His disciples who do people say who I am ?  then he asked them  but who do you say I am ?


To many the name Jesus is a swear word,  to the Muslim’s Jesus is a less superior  prophet than Mohammed ,  to many he is a good man,  to some he is a historical teacher, to some he is an anathema,   we can answer this question many, many times,   but the most important to us as Believers is who is Jesus to us?


Can we answer this question in the same way, Peter answered ?

Matthew 16:13-20New International Version (NIV)


Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah


13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”


14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”


15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”


16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”


17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.


The Bible Panorama


Hebrews 1


V 1–4: RADIANT REVELATION God has revealed Himself by prophets in the past. Now He has revealed Himself by His eternal Son, Jesus Christ, who, being God, radiates deity just as the sun’s rays radiate the sun. The key word in Hebrews is ‘better’. Jesus, as Creator, Sustainer and risen Saviour, is better than the angels.


V 5: SUPERNATURAL SON From eternity, Jesus is the supernatural, begotten Son of God. Thus He is both the Son of God and God the Son.


 V 6–7: WILLING WORSHIP Only God can be worshipped, according to the Bible. As the very angels of heaven are told to worship Jesus, clearly He is God.


V 8–9: GREAT GOD The Father addresses Him as ‘O God’, and yet Jesus has an eternal filial relationship within the Trinity with God the Father. This mystery is unfathomable by the mere human mind without the illuminating teaching of God’s revelation in Scripture.


V 10–12: CREATION’S CLOAK Jesus, within the Trinity, created the world, and one day will fold it up like a cloak.


V 13–14: MIGHTY MONARCH The Father’s will is that the Son should reign from the right of the throne. Compare this with the angels who are simply there to minister to those who will become


Can you join me in saying these words ?


That’s My King, Rev S M Lockridge


The Bible says

 He’s the King of the Jews

 He’s the King of Israel

 He’s the King of Righteousness

 He’s the King of the Ages

 He’s the King of Heaven

 He’s the King of Glory

 He’s the King of Kings

 and He is the Lord of Lords


Now that’s my King!

 David says

 The Heavens declare the glory of God

 And the firmament showeth His handiwork

 No means of measure can define His limitless love

 No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply

 No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing


He’s enduringly strong

 He’s entirely sincere

 He’s eternally steadfast

 He’s immortally graceful

 He’s imperially powerful

 He’s impartially merciful


That’s my King!

 He’s God’s Son

 He’s the sinners’ Saviour

 He’s the centrepiece of civilisation

 He stands alone in Himself

 He’s august

 He’s unique

 He’s unparalleled

 He’s unprecedented

 He’s supreme

 He’s pre-eminent

 He’s the loftiest idea in literature

 He’s the highest personality in philosophy

 He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism

 He’s the fundamental doctrine in true theology

 He’s the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion


That’s my King!

 He’s the miracle of the age

 He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him

 He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously

 He supplies strength for the weak

 He’s available for the tempted and the tried

 He sympathises and He saves

 He guards and He guides

 He heals the sick

 He cleansed the lepers

 He forgives sinners

 He discharges debtors

 He delivers the captives

 He defends the feeble

 He blesses the young

 He serves the unfortunate

 He regards the aged

 He rewards the diligent

 And He beautifies the meek


Do you know Him?

 My King is the key of knowledge

 He’s the wellspring of wisdom

 He’s the doorway of deliverance

 He’s the pathway of peace

 He’s the roadway of righteousness

 He’s the highway of holiness

 He’s the gateway of glory

 He’s the master of the mighty

 He’s the captain of the conquerors

 He’s the head of the heroes

 He’s the leader of the legislators

 He’s the overseer of the overcomers

 He’s the governor of governors

 He’s the prince of princes

 He’s the King of Kings

 And He’s the Lord of Lords


That’s my King

 That’s my King!

 My King

 His office is manifold

 His promise is sure

 His life is matchless

 His goodness is limitless

 His mercy is everlasting

 His love never changes

 His word is enough

 His grace is sufficient

 His reign is righteous

 His yoke is easy

 and His burden is light

 I wish I could describe Him to you

 He’s indescribable

 He’s indescribable

 He’s incomprehensible

 He’s invincible

 He’s irresistible

 I’m trying to tell you

 The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him

 Let alone a man explain Him

 You can’t get Him out of your mind

 You can’t get Him off of your hands

 You can’t outlive Him

 And you can’t live without Him

 The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him

 but they found out they couldn’t stop Him

 Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him

 The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree

 And Herod couldn’t kill Him

 Death couldn’t handle Him

 And the grave couldn’t hold Him


That’s my King!

 He always has been

 And He always will be

 I’m talking about

 He had no predecessor

 and He’ll have no successor

 There was nobody before Him

 and there’ll be nobody after Him

 You can’t impeach Him

 and He’s not going to resign


That’s my King!

 Praise the Lord

 That’s my King

 Thine is the Kingdom

 And the power

 And the glory

 The glory is all His

 Thine is the Kingdom

 And the power

 And the glory

 For ever

 And ever

 And ever

 And when you get through with all of the forevers

 Then

 Amen



My King



The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He’s the King of Israel. He’s the King of Righteousness. He’s the King of the Ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of Glory. He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.



I wonder, do you know Him?


My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.



Do you know Him?


He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.



I wonder if you know Him today?


He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek.



I wonder if you know Him?


He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory.



Do you know Him? Well…


His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy. And His burden is light.



I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes…


He’s indescribable! He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.



Yeah! That’s my King, that’s my King.



Amen!


Seven Way King


My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him? Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You cant impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

Friday 12 June 2015

Belgian GP's murdering Patients, Daily Mail

Belgian GPs 'killing patients who have not asked to die' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3120835/Belgian-GPs-killing-patients-not-asked-die-Report-says-thousands-killed-despite-not-asking-doctor.html @MailOnline

Thursday 4 June 2015

Words for the Wise, Godly Living and Good Works, Titus 3 Nasb



 

Titus 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Godly Living

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Saviour and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Personal Concerns

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 Our people must also learn to engage in good [b]deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.


The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
The Church in the World (3:1-8)

Biblical Christians are by definition in a predicament. Christians must live in this world, but they are not of this world. As the Father sent Christ into this world to minister, so he sends believers to be ministers in the world (Jn 17:14-18).

Titus 2:1—3:8 is concerned with living in this world. The previous passage stresses engagement in the world, by enforcing Christian respectability in a way that shows sensitivity to accepted social rules and relationships. At this point the question of the Christian's general attitude toward all people and political institutions is raised. What is the Christian's obligation in relation to the world—that is, to its unbelieving inhabitants and its political structure? The early church had to deal with this question (1) because it was compelled by Christ's missionary mandate to reach the world with the gospel, a task that requires interaction, and (2) because the political system was generally opposed to the exclusive claims of Christianity.

What Paul has to say in Titus 3 is not new, but reflects agreement with both his own earlier thinking and that of 1 Peter 2:13-17. The instruction in 3:1-8 divides into three parts: verses 1-2 give the instructions; verses 3-7 give the theological foundation for the behaviour that is prescribed; and verse 8 adds a missionary motive.


The Motive of Christian Living in the World (3:8)

While many versions of the Bible view verse 8, with its "faithful saying" formula, as beginning a new paragraph, it is important to see its relation to the preceding teaching. Here Paul attaches a strong motive for living the life described in verses 1-2, the possibility of which verses 3-7 subsequently demonstrate.

Rather than creating a division, the assertion this is a trustworthy statement, which refers back to at least verses 4-7 (so Knight 1979:95), bonds verse 8 to the preceding discussion. As in its other occurrences (1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11), this formula calls the readers to a fresh acknowledgment of what has been their common confession. The reason for doing so in this case, as in the others, is to encourage the readers to live the life that the theological statement declares to be a possibility. Verse 8 is a succinct conclusion to the whole of the teaching on the Christian life given in Titus. In it Paul drives home three points that we must not miss.

First, the Christian life is a life of active performance. We must not mistake this emphasis as evidence that Christian morality or ethics boils down simply to doing the best that is humanly possible. This instruction is for those who have trusted in God, and therefore the role of the Spirit and faith is assumed (Rom 8:4-17; Gal 5:16). Yet at the same time we must not misconstrue Christianity as a gift from God that operates independently of the one who has received it. The truth is, the reality of the new life in the Spirit is discovered only by those who dare to be actors instead of audience. This comes through clearly in the purpose given for Titus's emphasis on these things (Christian living, vv. 1-2, and especially its theological basis, vv. 3-7): so that believers may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. Here concentration of the mind is combined with effort. A decision to perform is integral to the Christian life.

Second, as it is performed this life will have visible results. Paul describes this performance with the term "good deeds." This is Christian life viewed from its visible outworking (2:7; 2:14; 3:1; see notes on 1 Tim 2:10). The nearest practical application of the term is to be found in the Christ-like lifestyle outlined back in 3:1 and ahead in 3:14. Performed in this way, the genuine Christian life contradicts the claims of the false teachers, who ultimately denied God with their lifestyle completely devoid of good deeds (1:16).

Third, the living out of this life will benefit everyone. Herein lies the motive. In this new sentence Paul brings this qualitatively new life (the second these things good deeds) to bear on the lives of others. It is because this life of faith is inherently and manifestly good (NIV excellent) that it is able to be of benefit to everyone. But of what benefit? For several reasons it is likely that Paul is speaking from a missionary concern for those outside the faith. First, the unambiguous reference to believers in the first half of verse 8 suggests that the reference to everyone at the end is primarily to unbelievers (the same contrast appears in 3:1-2). Then, as in 2:5, 7-8, 10-11 and 3:2, so also in this case: the importance of the visible attractiveness of the Christian life is that it might point others to belief in God. Paul's thought is that since God's love in Christ has transformed the lives of those who have believed (3:3-7), the manifestation of that love in their lives (3:1-2, 8) should have similar results in the lives of others. Mission is one of the primary reasons for the performance of the Christian life in the world.

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Titus 3

V 1–2: ACCEPT AUTHORITY Church members are to be told to accept lawful authority and to be ready to do good works. They must live peaceably and gently, speaking no evil and showing humility to all men.

V 3–8: CONVERSION CONDUCT Paul reminds Titus of the shameful and wicked ways that he and they lived before coming to know Christ. But God’s kindness and love in Christ have changed that, through His mercy, His cleansing and the work of His Holy Spirit in response to faith in Jesus Christ. Because of God’s grace, which has justified repentant sinners, they should now maintain good works, and Titus must teach this because it is good and profitable for them all.

V 9–11: DAMAGING DIVISIONS Foolish disputes and unprofitable discussions which are going nowhere, and lead to strife, are to be avoided. A person causing division is to be warned twice only. If he still continues in his selfishness and sin, he is then to be rejected. The implication is that church discipline should then exclude him until repentance and faith are manifested.

V 12–14: SUPPORTING SAINTS Paul looks forward to a visit from Titus soon, and briefs him on the itineraries of some of his co-labourers in the gospel. He urges Titus to make sure that God’s saints are supported in their needs, lacking nothing. The church people must also maintain good works to meet their needs, and thus be fruitful.

V 15: GRACIOUS GREETINGS Again, Paul ends one of his letters by sending the greetings of all with him and asking Titus to greet all who love him in the faith. They need what he wants for them, namely God’s grace.

Dictionary of Bible Themes
4018 life, spiritual

Life embraces more than physical existence; it includes humanity’s relationship with God. Human beings come to life spiritually only through faith in the redeeming work of God in Jesus Christ. This spiritual life is a foretaste of the life which believers will finally enjoy to the full in the new heaven and earth. Life in the Spirit means keeping in step with the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and always being open to his gifts and empowerment.
The nature of spiritual life

It is new life Ac 5:20 See also Ac 11:18; 2Pe 1:3; 1Jn 3:14

It is true life 1Ti 6:19

It is eternal life Ro 5:21 See also Da 12:2; Mt 19:29; Jn 6:27; 1Jn 5:11,20

It is abundant life Ps 16:11; Jer 17:8 See also Ps 1:3; Jn 10:10
The origins and nature of spiritual life

Spiritual life is the work of the Holy Spirit Jn 3:6,8 See also Eze 36:26; Jn 3:3,5-7; Ro 8:11; Tit 3:5-7

Spiritual life unites believers to Jesus Christ Eph 2:4-5 See also Ro 6:3-5; Ro 8:10; 1Co 12:13; Col 2:13; 1Jn 5:12

Spiritual life makes believers the children of God Jn 1:12-13 See also Dt 30:20; Mt 6:9; Ro 8:15; Jas 1:18; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 5:1

Spiritual life brings people to know God Jn 17:3 See also Mt 11:27

Spiritual life brings about faith Jn 3:15; Jn 20:31 See also Jn 3:16,36; Jn 5:24; Jn 6:40; Jn 11:25
Keeping in step with the Spirit

A new way of life is made possible Gal 5:25 See also Ro 8:5-6,9-16; Gal 5:16-18,22-24

Bondage to the written law is ended Ro 2:29 See also Ro 7:6; Ro 8:2; 2Co 3:6; Gal 5:17-18

Obedience to God is made possible Ro 8:4 See also Eze 36:27; Ro 8:13; Gal 5:16; 1Th 4:7-8

Deepening unity is encouraged Eph 4:3 See also Col 2:13; Php 2:1-4

Strength and encouragement are received Ac 9:31
Gifts for those living in the Spirit

Gifts are given for building up the church 1Co 12:4-11 See also Ro 12:6-8; 1Co 12:27-30

Visions are given Ac 2:17; Joel 2:28; Rev 1:10,12-13; Rev 4:2; Rev 17:3; Rev 21:10

Miracles are worked Mt 12:28 See also Ac 10:38; Ro 15:19; Gal 3:5

Ministry is enhanced 2Co 3:6 See also 2Co 3:7-9
Those living in the Spirit receive revelation and guidance

God is revealed as Father Gal 4:6 See also Ro 8:14-16

God’s purposes are revealed 1Co 2:9-10 See also Ro 15:13; 2Co 5:2-5; Gal 5:5; Eph 1:17-18

Guidance is given to believers Ac 8:29 See also Ac 10:19; Ac 11:12; Ac 13:2; Ac 16:6-7; Ac 20:22-23

Help is given to pray Ro 8:26-27; Eph 6:18; Jude 20
The Holy Spirit sanctifies those in whom he lives

Through the Spirit, Jesus Christ lives in believers Eph 3:16-17

The Spirit transforms believers 2Co 3:18 See also Ro 15:16; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2

The fruit of the Spirit is seen in believers’ lives Ac 13:52; Ro 5:5; Ro 8:6; Ro 14:17; Ro 15:30; Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:8; 1Th 1:6
Examples of life in the Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ Mt 4:1 pp Mk 1:12 pp Lk 4:1; Mt 12:18,28; Lk 4:14,18; Lk 10:21; Ac 10:38

Simeon Lk 2:25-27

Peter Ac 4:8; Ac 10:19,44

Stephen Ac 6:5,10; Ac 7:55

The first Christians Ac 4:31; Ac 6:3-5; Ac 11:24,27-29; Ac 13:1-3; Ac 15:28

Yours by His Grace

Blair Humphreys

Southport,  Merseyside,  United Kingdom

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