Chapter 1
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9 – Here scripture gives us a great couple reasons why we should be reading it and revolving our lives even around it. First, we need to know it so we can share it’s directions. Yes, this chapter is speaking about the qualifications and responsibilities of pastors, but even if that doesn’t fit you we still need to be familiar with scripture so we can help other people know how to live for God. Second, it’s so when someone speaks falsely against scripture we can identify it and correct it. There are enough people walking without direction and being fed lies by people who don’t know what’s right. We need to be familiar with God’s Word so we can help them see the right way to go. So remember your daily habit of reading scripture is for more than just you, it’s setting you up to help others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 732
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. Titus 1:5 – Paul is writing to his coworker in the faith Titus to guide him on his role in the new church that was planted in Crete. This island church was a rough bunch of people (verse 12 says they were liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons), and they had many within their area trying to lead the church astray with false teachings. Titus’ role was to raise up pastors for the different cities in Crete that would teach scripture properly and shut up the ones teaching falsehood. While a very direct message to a particular context, we certainly can take hold of the truths laid out in this passage. Even if today your calling is not a pastor, we see here qualifications that are pleasing to the Lord in a follower of Him. We also see the role that the church should play in the “putting things in order” like Paul speaks of. The church should reject those speaking things contrary to scripture and embrace the teachings of sound doctrine. Rather than placating those in the church that are loud and seek to use their influence to sway things their way, the church should silence them and shut down such behavior. What we learn from this chapter is what God is looking for within His people. Leaders who properly teach His word and a church that is following His word. Is then your pastor teaching properly God’s word? Are you properly following God’s word? Is your church family prioritizing and following the teachings of God’s word? Let us as well make sure we are putting things in the right order so we can be faithful to our pursuit of the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2780
Chapter 2
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…Titus 2:11 – For all people. That means your spouse. That means your boss. That means your parents. That means your backstabbing friend. That means the different looking person you see on your way to work or school. That means the person that holds a different belief than you on something. That means the criminal in prison. That means the terrorist we see on the news. God’s grace has appeared and is bringing salvation to all people. So if God sees them as worthy to share His life and love to, what’s your reasoning for not doing the same? Today, rather than trying to justify our past actions of not showing love, let’s just remember God’s salvation is available to everyone and it’s our purpose for existing to share that good news. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 733
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1 – As a reminder, Titus is being left in Crete to raise up pastors that will lead the new churches there on the island. Paul directs Titus to teach the things that are properly in line with scripture. The following verses Paul outlines the specific things that Titus ought to teach certain groups, like older men and women. He is to teach how to be dignified as an older man and how to not be a slave to wine for the older women. He is to teach the older women how to teach the younger women on what it looks like to love their husbands well. He was to teach the younger men how to be self-controlled. And why was he called to teach such things? Because such things aren’t naturally our way of doing things. Being older doesn’t suddenly mean you’ll know how to be honorable. Being married doesn’t suddenly mean you’ll know how to love your spouse. Being a young believer doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly know how to be controlled with your lusts. Such things ought to be taught for such things align with sound doctrine. How then are you seeing such things being taught in your church family? Understanding which group you fit in, how are you living faithfully according to what this passage directs? How are you teaching the next generation these things? Possibly one culprit to why we see in our culture, and even our churches, less-honorable older men, irreverent older women, young women and men living out of control is because the teaching of the opposite isn’t happening like it ought to be. Let us then seek to first exhibit such holy things that are being taught in this passage within our own life, and then let us be active in teaching those who do not know yet such things. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2781
Chapter 3
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus3:1-2 – Alright, you’ve been reminded. Today rather than a longer message, reread over those couple versus and see where you can grow in today. Wherever you find yourself today, you can make it a day to grow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 734
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… Titus 3:3-5 – Paul within this closing chapter instructs Titus how to instruct the church. He was to remind them to be submissive to authorities, to speak evil of no one, and to be ready for every good work. Yet Titus, with such a rough crowd he was seeking to minister to in Crete, likely would respond back to Paul saying something like, “I’ll try Paul, but look at these people and how sinful they are!” Understanding that type of response, Paul reminds Titus to think back to their pre-Jesus days. We too were right there. Romans 5:8 says we were enemies of God, like verse 3 states. The Romans passage though continues and tells us that God, who is rich in loving kindness like we see in verses 4-5 of Titus 3, saw us in our sin and still came to our rescue. As we today seek to serve the Lord in a culture and church filled with people like verse 3, let us remember we too were “verse 3” type of people once before Jesus saved us. Let us continue the work of teaching and setting an example of faithfulness for the lost, acknowledging that it’s not our workings that will save them but only the workings of Jesus within them that will. Our role is to remind people of their call and point people to their Savior. Will you do that role today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2782
Daily DEVO 