fatal distractions

Titus 3:7-9 esv

Fatal Distractions

Titus 3:7–9 ESV

7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Since God has saved us for good works; do good and  avoid distractions!

so-At this point in the letter, Paul resumes the household code style of teaching, as he turns to the traditional concern of the church as a community with responsibilities in the larger society. The way in which the instruction opens out from consideration for rulers and authorities to a wider concern for “all people” is paralleled in the tradition as it appears in Rom 13:1–7 and 1 Pet 2:13–17. As in the last section, a theological statement (vv. 3–7) provides backing for the ethical instruction of vv. 1–2, by explaining the theological realities that make possible the kind of behavior Paul enjoins.

verse 7 discusses Christ as the reason all of our good work is possible. the Christ event is viewed primarily through the lens of the work of the Spirit in applying salvation to God’s people.

The primary reason for our text is to show how our Good Works are expressions of what has done for us in the grace of Salvation.

Salvation was accomplished in Christ and Christ Alone.

All God’s work- v7

what? Salvation

Christ is the author of our salvation, not my works, not my goodness, not my nice smile, not my intellect. . Its all a work of God.

Paul reminds us of our state prior to the impact of the saving work of Christ in our lives.

verse 3 says: remember you were disobedient, foolish, full of malice

titu 3:3 “3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.”

that’s were you insert yourselves. . . we were spiritually messed up.

we tend to forget how far God has brought us. . we think we have arrived all by ourselves; that’s why we must NEVER forget!

The saints of old would say Jesus i’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. . . i’ll never forget how you set me free. . . how you brought me out. . I’ll never forget no Never.

we need to remember it was all God.

I too tend to forget:

Illustration of James Mitchell

The Letters to Timothy and Titus 2. The Theology that Generates This Life (3:3–7)

The statement is very Pauline in thought and language. It denies the role of human effort in salvation, describing it rather as God’s work, mediated by the Holy Spirit, producing a justification grounded in his grace

Always Devoted to Good -v8

so we have been justified by His Grace- which is the redemption accomplished by Christ

so now we are saved

and also, Heirs- we have an inheritance

God’s favor and blessing is resting upon us- Anybody glad about the goodness and the favor of God. . .

gives some examples

we have God’s blessings now and later; Inheritance speaks to Eternal Life

knowing this- we are encouraged to be devoted to good works.

everyday goodness

ready to do good

a lifestyle of good

Avoid foolishness -v9

silly myths-he is to “avoid” the ways and teachings of the opponents. The language of the command and the description of things to be avoided belong

Paul gives 4 things to avoid:

Foolish controversies- labels the theological enquiries as frivolous and incompetent, apparently because they produced no worthwhile results

genealogies-that the term indicates some dispute about the genealogy of Christ, the more likely reference is to a Jewish type of interpretation based on OT and extra-canonical stories of the biblical heroes and speculation based on family trees

dissensions- Arguments

quarrels about the law-“Quarrels about the law” alludes to heated arguments about Torah (cf. 1 Tim 1:7). The nature of the quarrels is not completely clear. We may reasonably surmise that the “talmudic” sifting of Scriptures and traditions was applied in support of excessive views about ritual purity

Why avoid this?

tit 3:9 “9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”