Since Adam and Eve fell into sin, the world has been full of worldly appetites. People do what they want with only one God in mind – the God of self. They make themselves their own God and proclaim themselves sovereign over all they influence. People have been doing this since the beginning, and only a few will change this selfish nonsense and give themselves over to the Lord's leadership. I genuinely believe that when the rapture happens, more people will be left behind than can be imagined. Professing or confessing your Christianity is not enough. Christians must not conform to worldly appetites; instead, they should obey our Lord by obeying what is written in the Bible.
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Titus the Evangelist
Titus was not a Jew but a gentile that Paul converted to Christianity. Titus accompanied Paul on several evangelistic endeavors. Paul and Titus went to the Mediterranean island of Crete to share Christ with the people. Then Paul left Titus in charge of spreading the Gospel and planting churches with the people of Crete. Then, once these churches were established, Paul sent Titus to Dalmatia to do the same works of evangelism and church planting. Dalmatia is part of modern-day Croatia across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and North of Greece. Currently, much of Dalmatia still hold to the teachings of Christianity through the Eastern Orthodox Church. So, Titus did a great job leading people to Christ and solidifying Christianity in Croatia (Dalmatia).
Paul's Instructions to Titus
Titus was to ensure converts to Christianity obeyed those in power (kings, magistrates, etc.) This instruction is a recurring theme in Paul's doctrine because if you are a good person who obeys the law, you are a good citizen and an excellent example of a Christian. This good example can help lead others to Christ.
Paul also encouraged Titus to speak evil of no man, to be no brawler, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. In other words, be strong in the Lord and maintain obedience to God while being good, kind, and gentle to the people you encounter. Paul goes on to reiterate that both he and Titus were sinners in the past, but after the Gospel of Christ called them into repentance, they now reflect the love and kindness of Christ. Yet, not through their righteousness but through the grace and mercy of Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Without being born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit, you cannot repent and follow Christ in obedience to our almighty and all-wise God.
All born-again Christians are justified, pronounced not guilty by God by His grace and not by anything we have done. We become heirs with Christ of heaven and eternal life. Therefore, because of this gift of grace, we should willingly obey scripture and do good works as a form of worship. This compliance is not only good for you but for all those around you too.
Paul then gave a list of things for Titus to avoid. He told Titus to avoid foolish questions. In other words, don't engage in stupid disputes or arguments. If the debate or disagreement upholds Biblical truth, please engage, and share the truth. But if the argument benefits no one, disengage from the dispute. For example, if you think one football team is better than another, arguing with someone who disagrees is a stupid waste of time and energy.
Paul urged Titus not to argue about genealogies and debates concerning the Law. Lineages were important to the Jews, and sometimes to Gentiles, but in reality, they were useless arguments that had no bearing on the Gospel or Christianity. Paul wanted Titus to focus on what was eternally significant, not those things that were irrelevant, temporal, and fleeting.
Paul then addressed church discipline. If a church member sins and is instructed twice to discontinue that sin, they are to be excommunicated on their third act of unrepentant sin. In other words, they should be required to leave the church due to their unrepentant sin. And, when I say leave the church, I don't mean the local church; I mean the universal church. If they can live unrepentantly and deliberately continue sinning, they are not Christians in the first place. Church is for people seeking Christ, and seeking a better life through obedience to scripture, who eventually accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, then live in a manner that would honor Christ.
Christians Must Not Conform to Worldly Appetites
Christians are to be peculiar people. Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9. In other words, we are to be sanctified or set aside in service to our Lord, not conforming to this world's thoughts, ideas, and actions. We are to live according to God's will, clearly defined by God's Holy Word – the Bible. If the Bible calls it a sin, we are to utterly reject that sin. If our society says something is good and right, we should review the Bible. If it reconciles with the Bible, we can agree with our society, but if it disagrees with the Bible, we should wholeheartedly reject it. Our society says that wildlife sanctuaries are good and right. As a Christian, I agree because the Bible says that we have dominion over the Earth and should be good stewards of what God has given us. Our society says that homosexuality is good and a human right. As a Christian, I must disagree because God called homosexuality an abomination.
"Love is love" is a grotesque misnomer. There are appropriate forms of love and things called love that are not loving at all. Who you love and how you love them is essential. If any type of "love" is not permitted by Biblical scripture, then it is sinful and is to be avoided at all costs. God's moral laws are eternal and unchangeable. Christians Must Not Conform to Worldly Appetites because they are immoral.
So, if you are in unrepentant sin, repent! If you have separated yourself from this world's mindset and choose to live by Biblical scripture, you are a Christian and my brother or sister in Christ. I pray that God blesses you abundantly!
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