Purity Through Humility
Titus 3:1-11, 14
Introduction.
This passage does not specifically mention purity, but makes call backs throughout the rest of the book.
Good works were mentioned in 1:16 & 2:14; and later in 3:1, 8, 14.
This does not include the specific good works that are mentioned throughout.
Then there is an interesting negative in 3:5 which we’ll get to.
Abominable and disobedient works disqualifies us from every good work (1:16).
Yet, He has purified us to be His own special people zealous for good works (2:14).
This can be achieved through humility (if I can’t preach on a subject I need to work on, I won’t be a very good preacher).
In this lesson, we will learn:
Show Humility (3:1-2).
Reasons to be Humble (3:3-8).
Lack Humility? (3:9-11).
Body.
Showing Humility (3:1-2).
All the traits listed here stem from humility.
The opposite of humility is pride.
Pride tells people they can go their own way, that they know what’s best for themselves.
This causes them to go up against those who are in authority.
“I know better than the elders,” “Or I know better than God!”
Saul felt like he knew better than the prophet Samuel as well as God.
And maybe you do know better than the elders, but that’s not the point—they have that authority.
“I know better than government!”
– well, you probably do, but again, that’s not the point.
Humility will urge us to do good.
That includes not speaking evil of people.
John Maxwell has suggested finding a way to compliment someone in the first 30 seconds of a conversation with them – not always easy.
Archangel Michael was not even willing to make a reviling accusation against the devil (Jude 9).
Being peaceable and gentle stems from this as well.
Humility helps us to recognize we are not better than others, so we will naturally be kinder.
We are to show this humility to all men.
Reasons to be Humble (3:3-8).
Because we were once there (3:3).
One thing the world often hates is a “holier than thou” attitude.
To be honest, wouldn’t you hate it if someone thought he was better than you and acted like it?
This is especially true for those who knew you before you became a Christian, or before you repented of a particular sin.
“You didn’t have any problem getting drunk with us those years ago!”
Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (Matt 13:57).
This is one reason to stay away from such behaviors even while young, to help your influence.
But all is not lost if you had—in that case you know how to repent and can show others the way.
If you have sinned, it is good to repent; but it is better not to have sinned.
Because we did not earn our salvation (3:4-7).
We are saved by His kindness and His love, called His grace in (2:11).
Recall this grace taught us to live right (2:12).
But it is not by this right living that we are saved (3:5).
This verse is used as a proof-text to show that baptism is not necessary for salvation—funny, I use it to show that it is—KEEP READING!
He saves us according to His mercy—something never earned or deserved.
But He does this through two things: washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
That washing of regeneration is a washing in the blood of Christ at baptism! (Rom. 6:3-4).
That washing of regeneration is being born again in water in John 3:5!
That washing of regeneration is the water, one of the witnesses here on earth in 1 John 5:8.
That washing of regeneration is the washing of water by the word in Ephesians 5:26.
That washing of regeneration is the one baptism in Ephesians 4:5!
We also see that the Spirit plays a role in our salvation.
We are “washed, … sanctified, … [and] justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).
We are baptized into one body by one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).
This is because the Spirit revealed the gospel, having given of Himself abundantly, that which we also obey.
The reward is salvation, justification, and the hope of eternal life (3:5, 7).
We are exhorted to repeat these things often (3:8).
We are forgetful creatures.
Consider the forgetfulness of the Israelites in the wilderness.
We need to have these important doctrines taught to us often!
This will help us to keep doing good works.
Recall Heb. 10:24-25 (“Consider one another to stir up love and good works”).
Lacking Humility (3:9-11).
Things to avoid (3:9).
Foolish disputes – which implies there are necessary disputes.
Genealogies – important for determining priesthood and Messiah, useless today.
Contentions – Infighting.
Strivings about the law – a law that is not our law today.
Things that are unprofitable and useless – what do you get if you “win”? What do you lose if you don’t?
We are often engaged in such things due to a lack of humility, i.e. pride.
The divisive man (3:10-11).
He is to be rejected after the first and second admonition.
An admonition is a warning.
Jesus talks about such admonitions in Matt. 18:15-17.
His pride warps him into thinking he is okay, justifying himself.
He is like a piece of lumber that is warped—useless for doing anything.
As a natural result of his pride, he is in sin and will not humble himself (James 4:10).
In this way he condemns himself—just like the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia when they contradicted and blasphemed, opposing what Paul spoke (Acts 13:46).
Conclusion.
When we study the Bible, it shouldn’t be about winning arguments, but about getting to the truth!
Humility will keep a church together; pride splits churches.
Even when it’s a doctrinal matter, pride is involved.
That individual thinks he knows better than God.
When we come together, we are to stir up love and good works, producing much fruit (3:14).
That fruit is what comes about from the good that is done.
Let us maintain good works, meet urgent needs, and be fruitful!