Seeming Inconsistency Within the Book of Titus

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12-NIV)

But when the kindness and love of God our Savoir appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4-5-NIV)

The first passage (above) informs us that Divine grace teaches us to live an upright, godly life. The second passage tells us that God has not saved us according to the righteous things we have done but by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

The battle is joined right here. Our understanding of salvation is defined right here.

Which of these passages is the more important?

You might say, "Neither, because they are both the inspired Word of God." You would be absolutely correct.

Are they reconciled in that we are saved apart from righteous behaviour but we ought to try to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions?

What do you think?

If one were to visit Christian churches he might hear the second passage repeated again and again. He might never hear the first passage. If he did it would be accompanied by repeated assurances that we stand in grace, and while we ought to try to do better we have our ticket to Heaven because God has not saved us "because of righteous things we have done."

Anyone with experience among Christian believers knows the attempt to "try to do good" is often an utter failure. The believers are walking in the sins of the flesh, counting on God to save them apart from righteous behaviour.

But what if righteous behaviour, rather than eternal residence in Paradise, is the goal of salvation? Does this change the equation?

Think about the first verse.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12-NIV)

Salvation is our change into righteous behaviour.

For the grace of God that brings about our change into righteous behaviour.

That fits.

Let's try the second verse.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savoir appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4-5-NIV)

He changed us into righteous behaviour through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

That also fits.

So the seeming discrepancy arises because we are using an incorrect definition of what it means to be saved. If we change our definition of "saved" from eternal residence in Heaven, to change into righteous behaviour, then the two verses from Titus are seen to be in perfect agreement.

The reader is invited at this point to reread the New Testament and count the passages that tell us our goal is to live forever in Paradise, and then count the passages that tell us our goal is to live righteous lives in this present world and that if we do not we are in very serious trouble.

You will find no passage that declares the goal of salvation to be eternal residence in Paradise, or Heaven. You will find numerous passages that portray righteous behaviour as the goal of salvation and stipulate the fearful consequences of not obeying the injunction of Titus to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Notice:

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. (Titus 2:14-NIV)

Why did Christ give Himself for us? The answer is, "to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

If the goal of our redemption is that we might be a purified people, eager to do what is good, delivered from all wickedness, then our equation is changed. It no longer appears true that we are saved apart from righteous behaviour. Righteous behaviour is seen to be the result and proof of salvation.

Righteous behaviour is not conduct that is merely "nice," or something we should attempt in order to show our appreciation to Jesus for "saving" us. It is what salvation is. There is no salvation apart from a transformed personality because salvation is our change from Adam to Christ.

Can we save ourselves apart from Christ by keeping the Law of Moses or by our Gentile efforts to do what we think is righteous?

Absolutely not. We are saved by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

What is the result of being saved?

The result of being saved is deliverance from all wickedness and the possession of power and wisdom, through the Holy Spirit, to live as holy people belonging especially to God, eager to do what is good.

Is there any salvation apart from a transformed moral nature?

The answer is no, and yes.

There is no salvation apart from our change into the moral image of Jesus Christ because this is what salvation is.

If by salvation we mean only preservation from destruction in the Day of Wrath, this depends on how Jesus judges us. He always reserves the right to permit any individual to enter Paradise. There are people who receive Christ at the last minute who never had a chance to follow Jesus through the work of becoming a new creation.

But let not the careless Christian who neglects to press forward into the rest of God suppose he or she will be "saved by grace." The expected destiny of the careless, lazy, disobedient believer is the outer darkness.

How do church people behave today?

For I am afraid when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. (2 Corinthians 12:20-21-NIV)

Now, where did Paul get the idea that people who were saved and spoke in tongues would ever behave in the above manner?

How did Paul respond?

Paul said, "Do not worry, beloved. As long as you are in this world you have to sin. But you stand in grace so don't be overly concerned about your behaviour. You must try to do better but God and good old Jesus have so much love for you that no matter what you do you are going to spend eternity in Heaven."

How did Paul actually respond?

I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, (2 Corinthians 13:2-NIV)

He called them to repentance and righteous behaviour.