IN THE FAITH. Titus 3:15 A tender, loving bond among those in "the faith" has a lasting impact and should be clearly expressed so that readers will remain faithful. The last letters from a person to us are valuable and can be greatly beneficial to those who follow. The pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus address many topics in a caring, practical manner.
These are not heavy theological doctrinal theses, but come from a warm-hearted older brother to two equally warm-hearted younger brothers who are responsible for carrying on the Lord's work. These three epistles serve as a practical example for those leading God's people. They teach how to conduct oneself, how to train and teach others for leadership, and how to handle and resolve issues among the Lord's followers.
The guidelines for church practice, personal behavior, and overcoming challenges are shared here by presenting principles that are effective because they originate from God Himself through His servant, Paul. Paul lived out what he learned from the Lord. He shared these teachings with others, who then passed them on. Now, they have reached us. We are responsible for passing on what we have learned from others and through our own experience to the next generation. It is true that we all have access to the Bible and can discover God's truth ourselves. However, the example and experience of mature believers make these truths concrete and personal when we see them in the lives of those who came before us. Therefore, it is crucial for us to study and apply the principles found in these pastoral epistles.
I can imagine how Titus felt when he first read this letter from Paul. He likely felt a bit overwhelmed because the people he had to confront were his fellow countrymen, and "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country."
For him to be responsible for "set in order things that are wanting" would have challenged his authority among the leadership already in Crete. Then, teaching people of different ages how to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things" would have put him on the spot himself. "To maintain good works" would have been pretty clear to him. But all of this together must have made him turn to God often for the strength and wisdom needed. I, too, would like to have the wisdom, grace, patience, and strength required to do the Lord’s work in the way it deserves. I ask the Father in heaven to be for me all that I need to do His will.