Titus 3:1-8a.  Paul is the champion of salvation by grace, apart from works.  He teaches that in this text when he says that God “saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (5).  Yet Paul had taught Titus that his role as supervising missionary in Crete was to teach and model sound doctrine, and that the result should be a community transformed by grace with works that appropriately “adorn the doctrine” (2:10).  So, Titus had the responsibility to get the church “ready for every good work” (1).  It was not enough for the church to simply promote belief in God.  Titus had to insist that they “devote themselves to good works (8,14). 

The reason is that the same God who has justified us by his grace is also washing and renewing us by the influence of his Holy Spirit (5).  The justification by faith ensures that we will inherit eternal life when Christ comes back for us (7).  Regeneration and renewal (what elsewhere is called sanctification) ensures that we will draw others from our context to this same Savior, so that they can have the same hope.  A community of believers who are being washed and renewed…

1. … is not disobedient, but submits to and obeys authorities,
2. … is not enslaved to passions and pleasures, but is ready for every good work,
3. … is not ruled by malice and envy toward each other, but is gentle and courteous.

This is the kind of community that is going to make a difference.

LORD, help us to draw people to yourself.  By our changed lives, may we adorn the doctrine so that those who are watching us know that it is the truth.