What do you think of these verses (Titus 3:1-11)?

Question

Titus 3:1-11

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 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. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 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, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds.

Thoughts?

Heh - I think the authority part means to obey the law. Within in our laws we are allowed to criticize the pres. for making bad mistakes and well within the law to vote for someone new.

Interesting, I was thinking that is shows how these letters seem to be based on the love principle. All the ideas that these books are based on seem to stem from love. If we act in love then these things will be done naturally. Hmm...

Answer 1

I think that is wise truthful teaching on how we as Christians should live. Where's the controversy?

Answer 2

Verse 2 would have been good if it were in the 10 commandments. but it seems that such ideas were not available to God at that time, or perhaps Moses forgot to put them down. Or, should that be pick them up, as God provided the tablets at the top of the mountain.
v3 Never have understood the early christians resentment of God given pleasures.
v5 seems to obviate the need for the request in the first few verses.
mmm. More mumbo-jumbo methinks.

Answer 3

After you accept Jesus Christ as your savior you are regenerated buy the Holy Spirit. These things, and actions you should strive to perfect in Christ. These are a gift from the Holy Spirit. As Christians we try our best, but we are not perfect.

Answer 4

VERSE 5 IS VERY IMPORTANT. We can totally obey Matthew 28; 19,20 and still not 'earn' a place in God's new system.
We get there because it is GRANTED to us.

We must constantly ask ourselves...Just what do we have to do to please God and NOT be classed as wicked?

God does love the righteous but he does not love UNCONDITIONALLY.

There are just too many Bible examples of God's punishments

Answer 5

It's instructions for Christians on how to behave. I guess the first part means we have to be obedient and supportive of President Bush and not criticize him. Since his approval rating is about 30%, 70% of us are sinning.

Answer 6

I always temper them with these verses from Chapter 1...

"10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, "

agapefromnc

Answer 7

Sounds like the gospel in a nutshell.

Answer 8

"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,..." -- Sounds like slavery.

Answer 9

Predates religion, hijacked mostly, boring and not useful to my life or philosophy since I'm ahead of the goat herders who wrote it.

Answer 10

What do I think? I think: AMEN! to all the Bible. :)