Straightening Out the Self-Centered Church: The Message of Titus
Overview
Many Christians are uneasily aware that there is a gap between their conscious commitment to the Lord Jesus and their practical, day-to-day living. This does not always arise from conscious disobedience to the Lord. Often sincere Christians find that this gap is opening up in their lives and they are rather bewildered by it. Something is happening which they do not quite understand, and they are not sure what to do about it.
This dichotomy between belief and behavior is the central theme of Paul's letter to Titus and the epistle has much to say to our generation of Christians today. As Paul writes to Titus, he is well aware of the problem. But he has a sure and firm answer. The apostle provides us with spiritual dynamite to blast a way out of the prison of subjectivism and self-centered living into the freedom and integrity which are ours in Christ.
Titus is not just a book for trainee pastors, elders, and Christian leaders. It is a book which has an urgent message for us all.
Top Highlights
“The cross is the grand proof of God’s righteous and ferocious antipathy to sin and therefore we must not fool ourselves into thinking that sin does not matter.” (Page 129)
“Self-control refers to our relationship to ourselves and our behaviour. Uprightness refers to loving honesty in all our dealings with other people. Godliness refers to a humble, reverent and obedient walk with God who is at the centre of our lives.” (Page 128)
“We are to let that sink in. He died for us. When it does sink in, it touches our hearts. His love for us moves us to love him. God’s grace educates our hearts. It touches our affections.” (Page 135)
“The grace of God, therefore, educates us and gives us the rationale for love rather than selfishness. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and ‘Yes’ to Christlike living.” (Page 130)
“The cross demonstrates that God is love—real love that sacrifices itself, and gives itself for others, even for the unlovely and undeserving.” (Page 130)
- Title: Straightening Out the Self-Centered Church: The Message of Titus
- Author: John Benton
- Publisher: Evangelical Press
- Series: Welwyn Commentary Series
- Publication Date: 1997
- Pages: 192
Reviews
1 rating
Dennis Schaffer
10/18/2023
This is a great look through the context of Titus and the churches on Crete at our own modern situation. The end of the book leaves the best key for helping God's churches and His people as we share the Gospel.