Monday, March 31, 2014

Paul Writes to Titus

Paul writes to another pastor by the name of Titus. His letter is brief but clear. It contains practical instructive principles of how to live.   We tend to forget that they did not have the book we now call the New Testament, but studied the Old Testament.

So there was a need to explain the scriptures as they applied to their culture, much as we need to discuss it today.  Jesus said "Do not think I came to abolish the law  or the prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.  Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19).

We know he is not  saying animal sacrifices for sins should continue, because he came to fulfill that, as he is the only sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:1-4; Romans 10:4).  But the principles and the commands of how to live remain.

Paul begins his letter, "Paul, a bond servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness".