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Sound Teaching: Titus is told by the Apostle Paul to show a clear contrast to the false teachers in Crete with regards to his teaching, beliefs and behaviour. He must “teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1) and “promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching” (Tit. 2:1b ESV).
Sound Faith, Love and Endurance: The mature Christian should be well established in what they believe and why they believe with full trust and confidence in God. This is the result of continued trust in God through the years as they had experienced God’s daily provision and deliverance. Their love is never allowed to grow cold. Instead, this love constrains them to warn, to rebuke and to exhort fellow Christians whom they see to be in spiritual danger. It is to be a love that embraces all and a love that is directed to God above all else. They are to be examples of perseverance and examples to others of what it means to overcome. They remain faithful to God, to His Word, to His people and faithful up to the very end.
Sound Speech: Titus must present sound teaching both in formal and informal settings – all the time. In this way, the enemy (satan) will not be able to find an occasion to criticise him. In Jas. 3:1, there is the reminder that those “who teach will be judged more strictly.”
Sound Judgment: Self-control is mentioned five times in the book of Titus. This is the only characteristic that Paul asks for from all the Christians in Crete. He asks for it in leadership (Tit. 1:8). He asks for it in older men (Tit. 2:2). He asks older women to teach it to younger women (Tit. 2:5). The younger men are to develop it (Tit. 2:6). Self-control means being of sound judgment, thinking sensibly, curbing one’s desires and impulses. This virtue in the Christian will certainly be reflected in his life, his speech, his behaviour, the decisions that he takes, the counsel that he gives and the responses that he makes in the various challenging situations in life.
The Apostle Paul tells Titus, his son in the faith, in Titus 2:11, 12: “For 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”. This sound teaching comes to us today in BKC.
