Titus 3:3-7

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Our Past, Present and Future Position in Christ

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God loves people, but He hates their sin.

  2. God saves people, but He rejects their works.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s love the sinner but hate the sin.

QUESTIONS

  1. In Titus 3:3, was Paul describing only the native Cretans?

  2. Compared to God’s standard of righteousness, who else is described in Titus 3:3?

  3. What is the significance of these two Greek words for love – agape and phileo?

  4. Is anyone saved by good works?

  5. What is meant by, “The package of our salvation is more than just the forgiveness of sins?”

  6. Is the washing of regeneration the same as baptism?

  7. When does the Holy Spirit begin His renewal work in our lives?

ANSWERS

  1. No. He was also describing himself in his unsaved days.

  2. All of us! See Romans 3.

  3. Agape is the highest form of love, the kind of love God has shown us when He gave Himself for us, as in John 3:16. Phileo means tender affection, as exists between members of a loving family. Phileo is the word used here in Titus 3:4, in reference to God’s love toward man. God loves us with both kinds of love, as proved by the coming of Christ.

  4. No. See Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5. It’s by God’s mercy alone that we are saved, and by His grace that we are justified or declared righteous (Titus 3:7).

  5. When we are saved we also received the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), and the reality of our future inheritance (Titus 3:7).

  6. No. Baptism does not give you new life. Washing here is a figurative expression to indicate cleansing from sin when we believe God’s Word and receive Christ as Savior. As a result we are given new life. We are more than just cleansed from sin – we are renewed by the Holy Spirit.

  7. The moment we are regenerated. This is the work of God that we call sanctification, being made more Christ-like, and this continues all our lives. See Philippians 1:6.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. We are joint-heirs with Christ. Discuss the meaning and implications of this statement.

  2. Consider God’s love for sinners and His hatred of their sins. Discuss how this was shown by Christ’s dealing with people and their sins.

CHALLENGE

  1. This week, show your love for someone who is not yet saved.

KEY VERSES

  • “When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” – Titus 3:4-5



Titus, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsTitus 3:3-7