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The Cretan society in Titus’ days according to a Cretan prophet was: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith (Tit. 1:12, 13). What a horrible pronouncement by their prophet on Cretan society! This is like a key Singapore religious leader saying: “Singaporeans are kiasu, kiasi, kaypoh”. In this Cretan society the Christian Church was started by Apostle Paul and his missionary team. Titus has so much Bible teaching to do to remould the Christians in this self-seeking society to one of love of God and love of people. The Cretan Christians has much character training and behaviour changes in makeover in order that they will impact their society to believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation.
Titus has to teach the Cretan Church: “The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Tit. 2:11-14). The Christians has received salvation from God and are now waiting for the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile they must“live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” in Crete and be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” in a highly self-seeking society.
A key character trait that Titus must train the Cretans Christians in is “self-control” – a very challenging makeover behaviour from people who were self-seeking before their salvation in Jesus Christ. This teaching is given in the following verses: “Teach the older men to be… self-controlled. Urge the younger women… to be self-controlled and pure. Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Teaches us… to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (Tit. 2:2, 4-6, 12). The Christian’s response to “Singaporeans are kiasu, kiasi, kaypoh” can be for us like the Cretan Christians “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives“. We must “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15).
