The Challenges Are Great, but so Are the Opportunities
Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present.
—Alexander MacLaren—
Key point: Just as Christ made a profound difference when He was here on earth, He wants to use His followers to make a profound difference here and now. As believers, we can do this as we cooperate with God’s Spirit and allow Him to use us to uphold biblical truth in a world that doesn’t recognize what truth is. The truth still liberates!
This week I want to follow up on last week’s article by looking at one more passage of Scripture that highlights the message of Christmas beautifully, even though we tend not to think of Christmas when we read it.
I highlight this passage for another reason as well. As we stand on the cusp of a new year with all its challenges and opportunities, we do well to be reminded of
- where we once were,
- where we are now, and
- how we arrived at the place we now occupy.
For believers in Christ, Titus 3:3-7 highlights these very things. When we are mindful of these realities, we are in a much better position to make the most of the opportunities that lay before us, for Christ’s sake.
In what we know know as Titus 3:3-7, the apostle Paul wrote the following to Titus, a Greek convert to Christianity and a pastor who was providing leadership to churches in Crete,
Titus 3:3 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.
Where We Were—And Where Many Others Now Are
Verse 3 tells us where we once were, and it does so in ominous terms.1 Note that even though we may have considered ourselves liberated and free, we actually were “serving various lusts and pleasures.” The English Standard Version says we were slaves! A slave who believes himself to be free obviously is “foolish” and “deceived.” Did we really live with “envy,” “malice,” and “hatred” toward others? Without Christ, even the actions and attitudes of “good” and “moral” people aren’t really all that good or moral, according to God’s standard. Verse 3 describes
the brutish existence of people apart from God. While a veneer of civilization often obscures the bleak truth, the slightest crack in the surface of society reveals the reality behind the facade. the painful truth is that apart from God people degenerate into little more than animals wrangling over bones.2
Sadly, we are seeing more of this kind of behavior in our country as our nation’s foundation takes on an increasing number of fissures and, consequently, as societal stability unravels. We have a foundation problem! (Also go here.) People are so blinded they no longer can recognize obvious realities, and many people who do recognize them are afraid to affirm them publicly. It is difficult to think of a time in our nation’s history when a clear warning and a change of direction were more sorely needed. This underscores the critical need, not merely for Christians who believe all the Bible teaches, but for Christians
- who believe the Bible reflects reality as it is,
- who interpret all of life through the lens of Biblical teaching, and
- who align their lives accordingly.
Christians like this are willing to uphold the truth, despite almost certain ridicule and any other risks involved.
These are worldview Christians.
Where We, by God’s Grace, Now Are
Who can point the way? Those who, by God’s grace, have found it and who are consistently traveling where it leads! This ought to mean you and me! Here’s what has happened to us.
Titus 3:5 He saved us,… 7 that…we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Our having been saved changes everything, so much so that our lives ought to be advertisements showcasing the positive changes that God brings to people dedicated to Him, and to cultures who acknowledge His existence and authority.
Will people be offended? Will they think we are arrogant? Some will, but we must remember that the gospel of Christ is inherently offensive. Moreover, of all people, we should realize we can take no credit for the transformations Christ has wrought in our lives, or the change in our perspectives on life and eternity.
How We Came to Occupy the Territory of Grace Where We Now Stand
The bold text below conveys how it all came to pass. It was
Titus 3:5 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 are like a turtle on a fencepost. We know we didn’t get where we are on our own.
To use a primitive illustration, we are like a turtle on a fencepost. We know we didn’t get where we are on our own. Now, since we have a right standing in our relationship with God, we plead with others to come to Him on His conditions as well. As Paul wrote,
[W]e are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21).
As we have indicated, however, being Christ’s representative is about more than evangelism. It’s also about cultural renewal. While it’s true that ultimately, the only hope for our nation is in changing one heart at a time by pointing people to Christ, we also must understand that ideas that align with reality promote a stability in society that makes liberty possible. By contrast, ideas that conflict with reality create confusion and disrupt societal cohesiveness. This hinders liberty and freedom.
We’ll discuss these matters in greater detail in the the weeks ahead, but for now, look again at some of the obvious realities people no longer recognize. Not only are these realities self-evident, but also is the devastating effect of people’s failure to see them as obvious truths.
Also, take to heart the next verse Paul wrote in Titus 3. In Titus 3:8 the apostle said, “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.”
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.
—the apostle Paul in Titus 3:8—
Our “good works” should include both upholding the truth of the gospel and upholding truths that foster societal cohesiveness and liberty. Do not let people deter you from either of these necessary undertakings.
A Biblical Foundation
Earlier, we made this statement.
Our having been saved changes everything, so much so that our lives ought to be advertisements showcasing the positive changes that God brings to lives dedicated to Him, and to cultures who acknowledge His existence and authority.
The link provided with the word showcasing will send you to a page containing seven Bible passages that will help you prepare your heart and mind to present God’s truth to a world duped by falsehoods, and to shine His light in an otherwise very dark culture.
I encourage you to read and study these Scriptures, and to take them to heart. Ask God to empower you to apply them to your life every day.
Determined and Steadfast
Today, on one of the days immediately following Christmas and as New Year’s Day moves ever closer, the words to the hymn “I Am Resolved” by Plamer Hartsough come to mind. The music is by James H. Fillmore.3
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
Refrain:
I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.
I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.
I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.
I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay;
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.
Are you so resolved?
Let us all look to 2019 with a determination to uphold God’s truth lovingly, faithfully, and consistently.
The world is watching and waiting!
Copyright © 2018 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All Rights Reserved.
Notes:
1While Alexander MacLaren said believers can safely forget the past (see the quote at the top), there still exist a healthy remembrance of it. We see this in Titus 3:3. I believe MacLaren was advocating a perspective that refuses to let the past dictate our outlook for the future and our diligence in the present.
2A. Duane Litfin, “Titus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament Edition, ed. by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983), 766.
3The instrumental recording (4 stanzas) comes from this page. Here is the printed score from Hymnary.org.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages have been taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
One Scripture citation in this article is from the English Standard Version (ESV). The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV® Text Edition: 2011. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
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