Titus 3
Titus 3:1-15 (NKJV)
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
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.
8 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.
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.
14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Though there is nothing we can do to gain what only the blood provides, once we have accessed its free gift of life in Christ, it is what we do that causes it to be fruitful. The abundance that has been poured out on us finds its greatest worth, not in its residence in us alone, but in His goodness that finds its way to someone through us. The great treasure of revelation and understanding that we receive by the Spirit is never for the purpose of winning arguments or becoming judgmental of others. As we have received it in the middle of our error, so it is to be shared with others, peaceably and without contention. As much as we may be drawn into the details and fine elements of the scriptures and their right application, the debate of these things is of no worth at all, especially if it is only producing strife and division. The process is never the destination, but rather the goodness and blessing that is provided to those in need when its truth is followed. Nothing at all is accomplished by being right on a point if that point isn’t producing the love of God in demonstration.
There is a continual discovery of truth in the Word and by the Spirit, but until it is applied to the sharing of God’s goodness without contention, it will be all in vain, never having accomplished its intended purpose.