Titus 3 Lesson

MATURING IN THE FAITH

Today in Titus Chapter 3, we will be discussing the importance of maturing in our faith, or as the Apostle, Paul put it:

• “Putting away childish things.” – (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Our focus verse for today’s lesson isTitus 3:3-7 :

• “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His gracewe would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:3-7.

As we grow in our faith and knowledge of God’s Word, we should not be making the same mistakes that we made in our youth. 

For many of us, this will require giving up bad habits and replacing them with better, more righteous things.

Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians:

• “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11.

GIVING UP SINFUL BEHAVIORS

Part of the maturation process for any Christian is turning away from the mistakes of their youth and not repeating them. 

There are a lot of things that we did in our youth that simply are not in accordance with God’s will. 

Once we realize that, we have a choice to make:

• Do we continue to live in sin, or do we repent, and make the changes that are necessary to get right with God?

The more that we read God’s word, the more aware of our sins we will become.

And as we become more aware of our sins, it is up to us to make better, wiser decisions going forward.  

The first step is to identify the childish things in our lives that are not in accordance with God’s will, or His commandments.  

Once we do that, we can begin removing those things from our lives, one at a time.

This can often be a difficult process, at least on the surface. But when we think about the eternal consequences of our actions, what we need to do becomes clear.

Being a Christian involves work and sacrifice!

It also involves hope and eternal blessings for those who remain faithful until the end (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS

It will be easier to give up our sinful behaviors if we have something positive to replace them with.

Maybe we can attend Bible classes?

Or visit somebody who is lonely or going through a rough time.

The point is that we are to become more like Jesus!

And like Jesus, we are to be about two things:

• Glorifying God,
• Serving others.

Being a Christian is not about being selfish, it is about being selfless. 

Just as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.

• “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” - Mathew 20:28.

According to an article published on womanofnoblecharacter.com:

• “Becoming like Jesus takes time and discipline. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t act like you should. Humble yourself before The Lord and ask for help. Even if you fail today, get yourself back up, and keep your eyes on Jesus. Study Him, treasure His words in your heart, and follow His example and every day you will be more like Christ.” (womanofnoblecharacter.com

CONCLUSION 

Becoming more like Jesus means giving up the childish things that we did in our past, and identifying better, more righteous things to do with our time.  

That means that we no longer live for ourselves, and that we wake up every day with two goals:

1. To glorify God,
2. To serve others.

If we read the Bible, apply what we have learned, and strive to be more like Jesus every day, we will someday be able to repeat these words spoken by the Apostle Paul:

• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:7-8.