How To Live

Paul wrote this letter to a Gentile believer whose name was Titus, who Paul left in Crete at the time.  The letter, or book, is called Titus and in it Paul instructs Titus on different subjects, one being how to live in response to God’s grace.  Paul starts out by saying this, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”  This is a reference to the incarnation, Christ’s first appearing.  

Then Paul instructs Titus to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.  They were not to have overpowering passions for the things of the world.  In other words love not the things of this world but love and seek the things of God’s kingdom.  

They were also not to have fellowship with sinning brethren.  This reminds me of what it says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 where the Corinthians were instructed to separate themselves from all evil and demonstrate Christ’s likeness in the world in all manner of word and deed.  It says in verses 17-18, “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord, ‘and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  They were in the world but were not to conform to it.  

Then Paul goes on to say this to Titus in Titus 2:13-14, “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”  Jesus redeemed us from all lawlessness and delivered us from the bondage of sin.  Paul went on in Titus 2:15 saying, “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”  These things were very important to Paul and he wanted Titus to teach these principles.  As believers we need to implement these things in our lives and live them out also in our day.  

Paul spoke about this subject to the Roman church in Romans 12 and many other places in the Word of God.  I want you to read verses 1 and 2 of chapter 12, it says this, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  If we, being believers, conform to the standards of this world what would our testimony look like?  It would not only hinder our personal lives and our walk with the Lord but if we were just like everyone else then why would non-believers want to change?  

But if we present our bodies as a living sacrifice we will live godly lives and non-believers will be drawn to the Lord because they want what we have, in their lives.  I said earlier there are many other things that are said in the Word about the way a believer should live and it is up to us to seek them out and to live them accordingly.  We will not only spark the interest of the non-believer but we will be honoring the Lord also and He will be pleased with us.  

So if you are struggling to live a godly life, pray and ask the Lord to help you and seek out the many verses in the Bible that talk about living a godly life and strive to live them, and with the Lord’s help you will be able to.  Have a great day and may God bless you and yours!!