Partakers of Christ by Obedient Trust

Hebrews 3:14-19 

14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”  16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

If we are truly of Christ, we hold that confidence of our confession and conversion till we die, knowing in whom we have believed and who has us as His precious possession now.  We remain steadfast, firm in conviction and trust in our trustworthy Savior who promised.  Therefore we do not turn against God as the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness who doubted even after miracles such as the deliverance from slavery to sin as Egypt symbolized.  No, we hear and believe as the eyes of our hearts are opened, and choose to live by that grace of faith given undeservedly to us.  We do not disbelieve and rebel as following the Law of Moses to earn salvation; we have not turned away after hearing, but have turned to God through Christ after turning from our sin to Him as repentance.  Those relying on keeping the Law by their own works fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23, James 2:10, Romans 3:19-20), and earn only death apart from trust in Christ (Romans 6:23).  The only way, truth, and life are found by belief in Christ and His work, not our works or any other door from any other belief.  These examples from long ago show us that unbelief and disobedience to God’s gospel never lead anyone to eternal life with God; they remain under God’s just anger (John 3:18-19).  We who are His are no longer under that wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). 

Faith Must Trust and Obey

Hebrews 3:7-13 

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

When we hear the gospel of Christ, do we do as the Israelites and harden our hearts?  Do we test God to prove Himself and then not believe the wondrous works He does?  The lessons from Israel wandering in the desert until they died off should be a warning to us not to ever hear God and disbelieve when we see Him work.  God was angry with that generation whom He had delivered with wonders of plagues and crossing the Red Sea, who then kept grumbling and doubting God’s deliverance and grace.  Their hearts were the issue, rebellious and faithless, so they kept wandering away from God.  Unless we have a new heart from God, a new birth, we also will wander off in disbelief and doubt that is the root of sin and source of God’s wrath on us as fallen people.  As believers, we know better, but the old man still tempts us with doubt which is disobedience.  We are to be aware of this and beware of walking away, and can help each other by daily challenging and encouraging one another.  It is easy to be hardened by sin if we lose sight of the great grace and work of God in our hearts, but doubt flees as we trust and obey. 

Hold Firmly In Hope to the Call

Hebrews 3:1-6 

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

We who are in Christ are holy in Christ and share in the heavenly calling, the calling out of the chosen by God toward heaven in His presence forever after death.  The one we trust is the messenger and one who administers the sacrifice of Himself to atone once forever for our sins, Jesus the Christ who was faithful to fulfill all the Law, to every jot and tittle, and accomplish the work for our salvation.  The comparison to Moses is made to show Christ is no mere man of promise, but the one promising and fulfilling the promise to as many as our God will call (Act 2:39).  He built the house, the temple, both that in the heavens (Hebrews 8:5) and ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:19).  God builds it all, Moses was a fellow servant in God’s house, but the Son of God and Man owns the house and all in it.  These things were prophesied and promised long ago, and God is faithful to bring all to pass in His times and seasons.  This is the house we all are part of (1 Peter 2:4-5) by this faith in which we stand, feet firmly planted on the Rock of its foundation.  Therefore we can hold firmly in confidence through all doubts and fears, looking forward to rejoicing which will one day never falter nor end. 

Saved and Sustained by Grace

Hebrews 2:14-18 

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

God in Christ shared in our humanity by becoming flesh to demonstrate His understanding of our frail state and the temptations we face.  But He lived without sinning in the face of all we face as He lived among us, and so made the perfect sacrifice for our sin as the lamb without any blemish, a holy sacrifice able to destroy death’s power over our helpless state, lost in sin with no other sacrifice able to release us from the fear of God’s judgement in wrath on our sin.  But we have been set free, saved from that wrath by Christ’s perfect atoning work up to and beyond the cross.  We are no longer slaves to sin, we who are saved by grace alone from this sentence of death, and have a certainty of eternal life that cannot be taken away.  He has destroyed the devil who held the power of death in accusations against us, for though they were true, the forgiveness in Christ has abrogated them entirely.  Therefore God has not given help to fallen angels (who are beyond help - Jude 1:6), but to the promised seed of Abraham by His promise to all nations.  This is why Christ had to be like us, a man, yet with the power as God as well.  He intercedes forever as both priest and sacrifice, paying the price to ransom us from our just end with the fallen angels.  He was tempted and suffered so that He can now help us in our temptations as well for our sanctification; His work does not end at salvation from His wrath on our sin, but adds abounding grace to finish the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). 

Suffering to Glory

Hebrews 2:10-13 

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.” And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

Jesus pioneered the way for our salvation through suffering to refine and complete His work to pay for our sin.  Even though He made everything and everyone, even though He made all for Himself, yet He did these things to make us holy by imputing His righteousness to our account.  He did not hand over some righteousness or make us righteous, but counts His perfect righteousness on our accounts.  He did this by suffering so we would not have to as we ought, and now further works in us day by day to make us more holy as into His image.  And He does that for us corporately as a chosen people as well as individuality as His adopted children.  Therefore we declare His name to each other and praise the one we have trusted and do trust in.  We are His children and He declares His glory and name to us as it is fitting, because He brings us to His glory. 

Lower Than Angels, Yet Over All

Hebrews 2:5-9

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.  9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

The world is not run under the authority of angels, neither elect nor fallen, but under God’s Annointed One, the Son of God.  The Father has given all authority to subject everything under the rule of Jesus the Christ; He took on human flesh as the Son of Man, seemingly lower than angels, yet still God among us as the Son who is divine and over all angels and other created beings.  He has the glory due to God and the honor and power to rule.  Everything and everyone is under the rule of God the Son and His suffering to death and life has allowed Him to taste death in our place as the firstfruit of the resurrection to eternal life.  He rules and the angels bow before Him as the Sovereign King along with every one of us (Isaiah 45:22-24, Romans 14:9-11, Philippians 2:9-11).  We are in the good hands of Almighty God, ruler of heaven and earth, even of all creation, so we must heed what He says.  That is the lesson of this chapter. 

Hold Fast to the Word we Heard

Hebrews 2:1-4 

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

We celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, but often drift away from what He told us about Himself, us, sin, righteousness, and judgment by His wrath, along with deliverance from our due sentence.  We know He came into this world as the prophets of old and angels brought foreshadowing messages, and these were proven by His miraculous birth and its predestined circumstances.  He proved who He was by making the dead alive and the blind see using the dust of His created earth and word of absolute power.  Therefore we should pay attention in earnestness of soul to these words of scripture, especially as we celebrate His entrance into this world as both God and man for our salvation.  If we neglect to hear and turn from sin to Him by trusting His word as true and admitting our sinful helplessness to find justifying righteousness to reconciliation with God in Christ alone by faith and His grace alone for His glory, then we have a hollow celebration of Christmas that only has a story and trappings to entertain.  But if we have Christ Himself in truth, then we celebrate with the angels singing praise to God in the highest.  God showed Himself through Jesus in word and deed that we might believe and follow in awe of God among us and all enabling He gives His people by His choice of Will alone, undeserved grace with His Spirit in us.  We must give earnest heed to these things, especially as we remember and celebrate the King born humbly with the purpose of sacrificing Himself on a cursed tree at the end.  Ah, but the cross was the beginning as He rose from death to life to give us the same.  We heed and hold fast to these words of life and promise.

What Child is This?

Hebrews 1:10-14 

10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.  11 They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed.  But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.”  13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?  14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

In the beginning God founded the earth and universe by His word.  The things we see under the strongest microscope and with the most powerful telescope are all His work; they did not “just happen” out of nothing, but out of nothing God spoke them into existence.  Yet even the universe winds down in decay from our bodies to radioactive isotopes; but He is the same from before time existed and will remain so forever.  He is El Olam, the always existing One (Psalm 90:1-2, Micah 5:2) from eternity.  Micah speaks of Christ’s coming seen quoted in the New Testament (Matthew 2:6) as the one from eternity (olam), the everlasting God.  In Christ all holds together (Colossians 1:16-17) by the word of God who He is, and when He is ready He will fold up the universe and make a new creation where we live in His presence.  Yet God never ages or changes in character.  He has an absolute plan and angels do not rule with Him, but serve God until the fallen ones of all creation bow before the Almighty.  The angels then merely serve we who will inherit the grace of salvation given undeservedly to His chosen people, the sheep of His pasture who hear His voice and follow the Son of God and Man.  The birth of Jesus the Christ in Bethlehem was foretold and fulfilled as no one but God could do; the answer to the song asking what child is this is Christ the everlasting Lord, God’s word embodied as a man among us! 

We Serve This Great God and Savior

Hebrews 1:5-9 

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:
“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again:
“I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And of the angels He says:
“Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.

Jesus is infinitely more than created angels.  He is God’s Son, of God and as God, begotten and not created.  He is also the firstborn of we who will rise after Him from the dead, and Him we worship as only God can be worshipped and served.  Therefore all the created beings, including angels, bow before the King of kings and Lord of lords.  The angels are servants of Him who minister to us for His glory, and those of us who serve Him are as burning flames of fervent desire for His glory in the gospel words of life.  Oh, the Son of God is eternal, without beginning or end as typified in Melchizedek, and He reigns absolutely as Sovereign.  He is altogether holy and righteous, and filled with great joy in suffering and sacrificing Himself for us.  We serve this great God and Savior! 

Hear the Prophet, God’s Word

Hebrews 1:1-4 

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Throughout the Old Testament times we heard from God through chosen men given His words to His chosen people.  These prophets were used by Him to remind of past failures of sin, of present perils, and of future consequences to them individually and as a people.  These warnings and consolations, with rewards and punishments, were given by inspiration of His Spirit and written down for continued hearing and learning from God of His will and ongoing plans for the future He laid out.  But when the fullness of times came He sent his Son, His very word as a man, to speak to us directly as the final or consummate prophet, foretelling us, “Him you shall hear (Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, Acts 7:37).”  Jesus Christ was God speaking creation into existence, showing us God’s glory as the exact expression of our Father in His Son walking among us (Emmanuel).  Because He holds everything together as the power of God’s Word, He was able to clean away our sins (Psalm 51:7) forever by His perfect atonement.  He then rose from the grave to sit in sovereign reigning power above all creation and created beings, having the name above all names to be worshipped (Ephesians 1:21, Philippians 2:9-10, Isaiah 45:23).  His inheritance as the God-man is ours in Him, and this is why He is the final word above all prophets, yet culminating all they said as the one who gave them the words in the first place.  We therefore listen to Him through the apostles and chosen eyewitnesses who recorded the Word for us in the New Testament, knowing the Old is as valid because these words are all His (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

Fellow Prisoners of Christ

Philemon 1:23-25 

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.  25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul passed greetings to Philemon at the conclusion of the appeal for the fellow bondslave in Christ from others who were not willing prisoners of man in jail with him.  The contrast with the freed slave in Christ, Onesimus, and the free in Christ who were bound with Paul in prison chains of man shows the difference spiritual freedom makes.  It also points to setting men free as Wilberforce and Lincoln set out to do when seeing that forced servitude did not echo the freedom we are called to.  We who have been set free from sin by sheer mercy and imputed justification in place of deserved justice yearn to see all free, both in this world and the next.  The freedom in Christ makes us owned by God, not each other, and that drove Paul’s appeal to set the servant free to serve the only true Master.  We are fellow prisoners of Christ, freed from bondage to sin to willingly and joyfully serve Him!  This grace of Jesus Christ our Omnipotent Lord is a reminder to close this letter and appeal to Philemon and to us (Micah 6:8) in how we should humbly serve our God. 

Servant-Slaves of the Gospel

Philemon 1:17-22 

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.  21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Paul appealed to Philemon to accept him as a κοινωνός, koinōnos, one sharing or fellowshipping with him in the work of Christ.  Because of this, he begged him to accept the runaway slave back with forgiveness and an open heart as a brother in Christ.  Going further, Paul also offered to pay for any damages or loss Onesimus might have incurred, being a peacemaker and showing grace as Christ has to him and to us.  Paul reminded him that he was personally writing this letter (not by a scribe), and that Philemon owed Paul his life (at least eternally).  He longed for a gracious response to bring joy and rest from concern in this matter of the free man who was still a slave.  The confidence of Philemon’s obedience to do the right thing inspired Paul to boldly assert this as the response, to do all in light of Christ’s work in and through Onesimus.  He ends with a request to make a room ready for him to come visit if he is released from prison, asking for prayer that God would allow this.  The focus of this entire situation is on our behalf to see beyond the issue of slavery to the freedom in Christ which impels is to give all as His servant-slaves for the souls of men and the glory of God in Christ. 

Now a Slave of Christ

Philemon 1:12-16 

12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.  15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Paul was returning the slave to his master, but as a freeman in the Lord now after hearing the gospel and being reborn.  Paul sent him back as affection from his heart because Onesimus was now a brother in Christ, even as he wanted him to stay and help in the gospel and with Paul’s needs while locked up.  But to be fair to the laws of the land and to Philemon, he asked permission before doing these things.  He wanted Philemon to respond with his heart by faith to answer this request for the service of God over that of man.  He reminded Philemon that God allowed Onesimus to leave and be with Paul that he would be saved, and so would return as more than a slave to man and to sin; he pointed out that as a brother in Christ, Onesimus is a beloved member of God’s family and that was the greatest value - not as property. 

Slaves of Christ, Setting Others Free

Philemon 1:8-11 

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

Paul could have begged boldly with his friend and brother in Christ for the slave Onesimus, asking Philemon to consider doing the right thing.  Instead he pleaded in love as an old man and prisoner for Christ’s sake that Philemon would consider what Paul was asking.  He saw Onesimus as a son, converted under his ministry of the gospel while Paul was in jail.  He saw this man who was a slave as free in Christ, as one of value to the gospel work and to Paul.  And so he implied that this slave was valuable to his master because he had great worth to their Master.  Thus begins the appeal for the one set free in Christ to find freedom in this life also.  We are all slaves to Christ, and must use that freedom as slaves to the gospel while not binding others to us, but to Christ alone. 

Active Love and Faith

Philemon 1:4-7

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

We should rejoice greatly as Paul did with the ones who kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12).  He prayed for Philemon even more when hearing his walk of sanctification in grace by faith.  Paul heard of the love and faith shown both to Jesus Christ as Lord and others as brethren.  He heard of that faith exercised in love through the gospel, sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross.  This active faith believed and acted by proclaiming the most excellent news, the words of life eternal in our Savior!  Therefore he prayed for effectiveness in the sharing of this gift of faith given freely, and the resulting fruit of good things coming from the faith lived out willingly and freely.  There is deep joy and satisfying consolation in the love of the saints, especially when we see the hearts encouraged and refreshed in the heavenly places in the sight of myriad elect angels.  We can learn much on both sides of this here, both on the side of faithful Philemon and on the side of praying Paul.  We love actively and rejoice in others when they live for Christ.  

Greetings to The One Who Kisses

Philemon 1:1-3

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:  3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon means "one who kisses,” an appropriate name for one loved by Paul.  He lived in Colossae and was apparently a convert of Paul, who was a prisoner in Rome for the gospel of Jesus Christ while writing to Philemon (with Timothy alongside) and indirectly to the church of the Colossians.  Paul addresses Philemon as a loved friend and a co-laborer in the gospel, but also speaks to Apphia and Archippus.  Some believe Apphia was Philemon’s wife, and Archippus may have been an elder of the Colossian church (Col. 4:17).  But Paul also included greetings to the church there in Philemon’s house as part of the Colossians assemblies.  This makes this letter personal and corporate, as many of these epistles are, showing that they are applicable to all the church then and now, even as he wrote on specific issues on a personal level.  Therefore we also are greeted with the grace of God the Father in Jesus Christ by the Spirit in all who are His throughout time, and can learn much by exhortation and example from this short letter of love.  

Better Together, Known by Name

Titus 3:12-15    
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.  15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all. Amen.

Paul’s final words to Titus are personal and specific to the situations at the time, yet we can still learn much from them.  First of all, he mentioned two by name, one of which he was sending to Titus.  They evidently were then to bring Titus to meet Paul in Nicopolis where He was going for the winter.  We see here that we need help and involve others personally in God’s work.  Everyone is important and plays a role in the gospel.  Then Paul asks Titus to send Zenas and Apollos quickly and to ensure their needs are met in the work.  Again, men are mentioned by name and with concern for both the gospel mission and their resulting needs.  Finally, Titus is reminded to remind the believers who are the church there to continue to do good and to meet needs like these and others.  This is how they and we also are fruitful in Christ as we work better together.  The letter closes with greetings to all in Christ who love His people, along with prayers for His grace.  Amen!

Good Works and Legalism

Titus 3:8-11 

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.  9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

It is a faithful saying that we who believe in Christ need to watch carefully how we live, that we should put constant thought and effort into doing the good we are called and enabled by God to do (Ephesians 2:10).  We do not work to earn status with God, but our status in Christ compels is to live for His glory and pleasure.  Not only is this good and beneficial for us, it is the good we are called to.  What we must avoid are the sidetracks of legalistic wrangling over the letter of ritualistic rules, while not refuting the Law in our heart followed sincerely out of loving and willing obedience.  We do not argue uselessly to no good, but exhort and correct in love.  We do not count infractions but come alongside others to comfort and encourage until we are conformed to Christ.  Those who only wish constantly to argue and divide the church are to be corrected, but if unwilling to change must be rejected from the fellowship until they confess and repent of the divisiveness.  This discipline is essential, but may not yield the results we wish for; there are some who continue to sin because they are warped and condemned already (John 3:18, Titus 1:15-16).

Subject to Authority and Submission

Titus 3:1-7    
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We who are called to Christ are called to obey not only Him, but the rulers He puts over us.  Ultimately we answer to God in Christ above all, but submission to authorities is as unto God as long as it does not contradict God’s law.  This includes not speaking evil of our leaders or others, being peacemakers in gentleness and humility.  This therefore does not give us the right to verbally assail those we disagree with, which is neither godly nor peaceful nor humble.  Before conversion, our unregenerate nature was bent on disobedient foolishness, hating and angry at some or all.  We were deceived into hating and ill will as we ran after satisfying our misguided desires.  We were disobedient to God and man, contrary to the two greatest commandments.  This should change if we have been changed into new creatures; now we have experienced the merciful love of God our Savior who was kind and good to us when He had every right to continue hating us for our disobedience of sin against Himself.  But He poured out grace in mercy by His righteousness alone, not requiring our holiness of obedience to salvation, yet calling us to respond with obedience because of that merciful deliverance from answering to justice in our own right, and calling us to show obedience and mercy in love to those around and over us.  He regenerated us, gave us new life, by His Holy Spirit who was over flowingly poured into us to make us new to do these good works willingly in response.  We are heirs to eternity in a living hope in Christ our Savior, justified by God’s unearned goodness, so we must follow in willing obedience to all things He commands, including this obedience to authority without railing against those He has put over us.

Live for This Great Grace and Hope

 Titus 2:11-15

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.  15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Salvation is solely by God’s goodness gifted to us (grace).  This good news, this gospel, has been shown to all that some will be delivered from the due wrath of God and unending punishment for our sin.  This grace teaches us to flee from doing evil as defined by God in His word, and teaches us instead to live in ways pleasing to His standards of righteousness from the heart into actions (Colossians 2:6-7).  We are called to live with clear thinking toward righteousness in godliness, not for our own fleeting pleasure as if still under condemnation.  We look to His glory as He returns to judge the world in righteousness, full of hope in this certainty in which we stand by grace of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His righteousness alone.  Jesus laid down His life to pay our sin’s dues that He might buy us back from sin’s captivity and cleanse us so that we, as His people, are driven by the desire to please Him and not earn the pleasing of Him for salvation.  We are bought at such a price which we could never pay, and this grace in which we stand motivates us to live for Him now, not our own sinful and self pleasing desires.  These things we are to clearly speak, holding nothing back, to stir each other up to follow as Christ’s disciples, and correct those not following rightly that they may be restored to living in and for this great grace. 

Attitudes and Actions

Titus 2:6-10    

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.   9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

The preceding verses dealt with older men, now the younger are confronted and challenged separately.  The younger (in the faith) are to work at thinking things through clearly, while living as examples or patterns of doing right in order to demonstrate their growing sanctification in conformity to Christ.  In their teaching and learning they are to have integrity, doing and thinking rightly even with nobody around to see or hear, as unto Christ.  The teaching must also have a reverent attitude, the doctrine must be solidly scriptural, and their words of instruction need to be sound enough to dissuade accusations.  Then those set against these cannot accuse with true faults unless it is to their own shame when the accusations are seen to be lies.  For servants, they are to be obedient and do what is good and right, respectful and honest, and with moral character which glorifies God whom we all serve in the same manner.  This applies also to employees toward their employers in our present time, as well as those hired as actual servants.  Above all, we serve Christ and are to emulate these attitudes and actions. 

Sound Doctrine for Living

Titus 2:1-5    
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Sound doctrine requires sound application.  The commands and examples in God’s word are to conform us to Christ in holiness and love for both God and our fellow man; this is crucial within the flock of God.  The older men and women should be taught so that they develop an even keel of righteousness in thinking by God’s standards, that they become self controlled, have faith founded securely on the Rock, and learn love and patience in word and actions.  This means a holy demeanor with no slandering or drunkenness, instead living and teaching others after them the good and right ways to live and conduct themselves as God’s house.  Worship begins in the temples of our bodies, then in the larger group.  Therefore we see here how older women must disciple the younger in their roles by Christ’s direction and not society’s, loving their families and setting good examples of character in following Him.  Why?  To avoid God’s word being blasphemed by doing otherwise and having others see that ungodly behavior as if it were condoned or set in place by God.  We reflect Christ and His kingdom, and so must live accordingly. 

Sound Teaching and Rebuke

Titus 1:10-16    
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

False teachers of all kinds have reared their subversive heads from the beginning, just as the serpent in Eden began the deception in mankind.  Many still speak empty words devoid of life which bind people to works as if God’s grace could be earned or deserved; these deceivers even start religions as they stray from the truth of God’s words.  Titus is told to stop these teachings of those out for their own gain, false prophets and legalists who know neither the grace of Christ nor the Son of God Himself.  We must also be aware and wage the good fight of faith, not in the flesh, against the deceivers without and within, teaching the sound truth of the scriptures and revealing the fairytales of destruction.  Strong rebuke may be called for as seen here that sound faith may result.  The heart of the matter is the heart of each one; purity comes from God’s Holy Spirit working in His chosen people, while those who are not His sheep see everything as defiled as they themselves are inside.  When the thinking and moral conscience are unclean, the eyes only see what they are in everything and everyone around them.  These say they are Christians or spiritual, but the lives reflect the debase hearts and thoughts opposed to God and His Christ.  By denying the power (2 Timothy 3:5), they deny Him in word and deed, and are seen by the lifestyle and actions behind deceptive words. We are to convince, rebuke, and exhort (2 Timothy 4:2) by God’s authority as valiant for the truth and desiring repentance to faith where sovereignty calls. 

Hold Fast to the Faithful Word

Titus 1:5-9    
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Paul put Titus over the church in Crete to complete the work he started there, going around to the local churches in the cities and appointive elders in each one.  There was to be a spiritual hierarchy for order and discipleship, and this required godly men appointed by God to be identified by their lives and prayerfully put in place to serve and guide the local churches of the universal church in each city.  Sound doctrine, godly discipline, and following the patterns of scripture as shown to the apostles all had to be passed on.  Disciples were being made as the church multiplied, and the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and baptism along with teaching all things (Matthew 28:19-20) had to be grounded in the organized church.  The qualifications, therefore, for these leaders and under shepherds are set high for this great responsibility.  Being a blameless steward of the things of God meant they were men who took seriously the charge to follow Christ and to be holy because and after the example of Christ.  They must be driven by God’s will and not their own interests, slow to anger, not drunkards, not violent, caring for others in contentment and not for personal gain, and able to think clearly.  Elders are also to be fair with mercy, putting into practice all they have learned in Christ to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2), both to inspire following Christ and to correct those sinning or arguing against sound teaching.  They hold tight to the faithful word of God above all.

Titus: Slaves to Truth by Grace and Faith

Titus 1:1-4    
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;  4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Paul again identifies himself as a willing slave of Christ, serving joyfully, as well as a called special messenger to bring God’s word as an apostle.  This is due to the faith given to all God calls out, those who assent to His truth that is holy and never without godliness in a changed life.  The foundation of this life is the certain hope of eternal life through and beyond death to the resurrection of the body, the hope promised by God Himself before He created time and the universe contained within it.  He revealed these hidden truths throughout the Old Testament scriptures until Christ came to uncover the depths of them in His teachings and through the apostles like Paul.  God committed these truths though preaching the gospel, the good words of eternal life, to Paul and the other eyewitness apostles by our Savior God’s will and command.  These things Paul first reminds Titus and us before moving to the actual words given by God to him.  Titus is a real son in the faith of Jesus Christ which we all share who are Christ’s.  Here is grace, mercy, and peace given by God through His Son our Savior to is all. 

How We Should Live Together

2 Timothy 4:19-22    
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.  21 Do your utmost to come before winter.  Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.  22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The letter as usual, ends personally.  These epistles were written to a person or group of people, but were also meant to be read to other churches (Colossians 4:16), for they are God’s word to us all.  Here leaders of a church (1 Corinthians 16:19) and another faithful brother are greeted, along with news of other co-laborers mentioned.  Greetings were also passed from others to Timothy and those who would hear or read this letter.  We should always greet and acknowledge each other in the Lord as the example is set; too often today believers hold grudges, form sinful cliques (James 2:9), or refuse to forgive instead of fellowshipping in love and acceptance apart from dealing with sin.  It is our Lord Jesus Christ who we all serve together in His grace.  This is how we should let it be so.  Amen. 

Grace and Peace in the Fight

2 Timothy 4:16-18    
16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

When Paul was persecuted for the gospel, those around him acted as the apostles did when Jesus was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane.  They all left him out of fear, both for their lives and possibly for their standing in the community.  But Paul did not want this held against them, choosing to follow Christ’s example by forgiveness in their faults and fears.  This is how he persisted in bringing the gospel to the nations in spite of opposition and lack of support in God’s calling in these times.  He knew deliverance from the evil set against him for the gospel’s and Christ’s sake, acknowledging the preserving grace of God.  He also looked to future deliverance based on God’s past and present faithfulness, all for the heavenly kingdom’s work to bring in the sheaves and gather the sheep.  This is how he could write of glory to be ascribed to this almighty and sovereign Lord of all.  This is why we must look to his example in ministry of the gospel and hope in eternity.  We need to lean on Him when others run from us and leave us to fight the good fight alone, forgiving as Jesus did on the cross in knowing they really do not comprehend what they are doing.  Grace and peace for the fight. 

Abandonment and Faithfulness

2 Timothy 4:9-15

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.   14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

In the end, Paul was abandoned by his co-laborers.  Demas went back to the world, living for his present desires and running from the good fight of faith for the gospel’s sake.  We see this even now when some hear Jesus say that we should give all away and follow him; our riches or comfort, even the desire to avoid suffering for Christ’s name sake, these all cause many to forsake following the Lord.  Others here left Paul for other destinations, but we don’t know if they were continuing to minister or not.  It seems to imply that they followed the example of Demas, but that is not absolutely certain, just probable due to the way they are described in the same breath.  Many do turn to the world when the heat of the day begins to burn and they wither back to the earth.  Then we see the Mark who disputed with Paul before (Acts 15:39) was now a desirable laborer.  Redemption from forgiveness can restore relationships and enable the higher work for the gospel to continue.  Tychicus was sent where he was needed, and he went.  Alexander was fighting against the gospel and was to be avoided for his attacks.  Since Paul was aging and weary, he asked Timothy to bring his coat and study books, presumably the scriptures mainly, that he could continue to study to show himself approved to God and useful in ministry; we should never stop learning that we might use all God shows to teach the disciples we make. 

Example for Longing, Running, and Desiring

2 Timothy 4:6-8    
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The letter to Timothy begins by summing up the life of Paul’s example (Philippians 3:17) with his living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and race for Christ and the gospel’s sake (Philippians 3:13-14, Acts 20:24).  He knows the beginning is near as the end looms before him, and knows that the fight was completely worth all the suffering and anguish because of the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2) as the Lord gave the example.  Paul gave the example for us as well to pursue Christ and God’s service to our dying breath, never wavering in this grace of faith.  Our resurrection will lead to  Christ’s righteousness as our crowning before the King of Glory, for our Judge has declared us righteousness solely because of Christ’s work and grace to us.  He is the righteous Judge in dealing with sin Himself that we might have the Son’s righteousness seen on our account at the final judgement.  We are assured that this sentence of grace and mercy will be given as we long for and greatly desire to see His coming and the final days when all is made new (Revelation 21:5). 

Gospel Charge of Truth and Suffering

2 Timothy 4:1-5    
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

What was Timothy charged to do?  To exercise the gifts and calling of the gospel.  We also are charged with bearing witness to these words of life which are of Christ’s person and work for sinners such as you and I.  Since we know there will be a judgment at the end of time for all, and that this sentence for each of us will be final and irrevocable, we must be pointing all to the release of the absolute sentence found only in Christ who is our righteousness and advocate to release us.  This is why we listen as Timothy and preach this word whenever we can, always being prepared to speak of Him and the hope offered that out of the many God may save some.  We must convince by scripture, correct the sinning brethren, and suffer long at the task in teaching sound truths given by God and not man’s philosophy.  Many even now refuse to hear these truths and find other teachers who say only what they desire to hear, especially when accountability to God and exclusivity to Christ and the Bible are heard by them.  Because these turn from the truth of God’s word, they listen to stories as if we are, were, or could become gods ourselves.  This is why we need to be people immersed in the book to know sound teaching, why we suffer in presenting truth to an apostate world, and why we do not give up in serving Christ and others  gospel. 

Continue in the Words of Life

2 Timothy 3:14-17    
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.   16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Unlike spiritual masqueraders who do not pursue knowing and following Christ, we are commanded along with Timothy here to hold fast to the faith and facts of the scriptures we have learned.  The certainty of the truth of the gospel has come to us by God’s word through faithful men down through the ages, and some of us may even have grown up hearing these.  We know the scriptures give wisdom to bring us to God’s work of faith to salvation in Christ alone and not our own efforts and accomplishments (2 Timothy 1:9).  Knowing we are undeserving sinners saved by grace alone humbles us, but also points us to what we cannot let go of, so we continue in the things we have learned that bring salvation from sin and our just due.  These scriptures from Genesis to the Revelation all are the words breathed out by God; just as He breathed life into the first man Adam, so this breath gave us new life as if recreated or reborn.  All God’s words are breaths of life recorded in the Bible, and are living and powerful to change and sustain.  The words of God give great gain in teaching us for conformity to Christ, they alert us to error and put us back on course, and they teach us constantly how to righteously live the Law placed into our hearts and guarded by the Holy Spirit.  These all make us mature and give us everything that we need to do the good works prepared for us  (Ephesians 2:10) before we were conceived (Psalm 139:16, Ephesians 1:4-5).