Good deeds

 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive. Titus 3:14

Paul expressed throughout his letter to Titus that the believers need to be conducting good deeds to benefit those in need. Christianity is a combination of faith and works. There must be actions that validate one's faith as evidence that there has been a transformation from a previous life of selfishness. The model Jesus displayed for his disciples was one of doing good works along with preaching the gospel. There are many people in need today and as believers we need to do what we can to help them. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, we represent him to the world. Whatever we do should be done to glorify God, not draw attention to ourselves or try to make a name for ourselves. There is great joy in serving others who truly need assistance.

Examples

 Titus 2:6-8 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

People make judgments based on what they see and hear. Christians are on trial daily by people who are skeptical and unbelievers in the faith we proclaim to be true. Our words and deeds will either confirm whether we are sincere believers or not. We need to live in such a way that there will not be any excuse for unbelievers to reject the truth that governs our lives. Bumper stickers have often given people license to speak against Christianity based on the conduct of the vehicle's driver.

Proclaiming truth

 ¹ 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, ² in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, ³ but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; Titus 1:1-3

Paul's identity was based in his relationship with God. He was a bond-servant, one who was under the authority of God, dedicated to obey what God had called him to do. He submitted himself completely to God and chose to live his life for God. He was also an apostle, one who was sent out by God to fulfill the mission he was given to preach the gospel to the Gentile world but also the Jewish people. He was entrusted with sharing the message of the truth that would bring people into right relationship with God and result in eternal life. He knew the difference between truth and lies and saw the consequences that lies produce. He exposed the lies and proclaimed the truth based on his knowledge of the Scriptures and the revelations God had given him. Our identity as believers is based on our relationship with God. We are servants of the Living God who has saved us and entrusted us with the truth of the gospel. We are sent out to proclaim the gospel and destroy the lies that hold people captive to false beliefs that lead them away from experiencing the loving relationship God desires with all people created in his image and likeness.

Deserters and deliverance

 16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Paul experienced great opposition as he faithfully carried out the ministry God had given him. The devil stirred up trouble wherever he went and used many people to carry out his attacks. Yet Paul was delivered from these evil attacks by the grace and power of God. The mission God had given him would not terminate until it was time for Paul to receive his reward in heaven. His passion for God and desire to always be faithful to his calling set him apart from those he mentioned in this letter who had caused him trouble and deserted the faith. Following the Lord is not always an easy path as we are in a battle for the souls of men and we have an enemy that will not stop attacking. We are constantly facing opposition from the world and the devil who seeks to rob, kill and destroy not only the work of God but the messengers of the gospel. God will supply the strength we need when we face adversity, and he will bring his justice to pass at the designated time. Our reward is waiting for us when we enter heaven, and we have an eternal future to experience all that God has planned for his people.

Increasing evil

 ¹³ But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

We are living in a time of great deception and evil that is polluting the minds of many people. Paul predicted it would get worse, and his prediction has been verified by the evil things that are taking place today. One of the most egregious acts today is the LGBTQI movement that is completely inspired by demonic forces. The truth of the Scriptures is completely ignored and the deceived minds of the adherents of this movement has damaged the minds of both young and old. When the truth is exchanged for lies, there is no end to the evil it will produce. Along with this evil movement is the unprecedented killing of babies that are being formed by God in the womb of the mother. The right to kill an unborn child has denied the right of the baby to live. God is the author of life, and no one has the right to kill an unborn child. The consequences of abortion have permanente mental and spiritual effects. The conscience will always remind those who have had abortions and helped women kill their baby will constantly plague them. Forgiveness is possible through Jesus, but the consequences are permanent.

Truth tellers

 ⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Unbelievers as well as people that teach false doctrine are held captive by the devil. The devil is a liar and does not speak the truth. He convinces people to believe that the Bible is not the word of God but other books such as the Koran, the book of Mormon and the translation of the Bible that the Jehovah Witnesses use are truthful and should be followed. The people who have followed these errors need to be confronted with the truth but done in a way that is gentle and peaceful. Arguing with a loud voice or letting anger enter into the discussion does not produce positive results but often drives the other person away. The goal is always to present the truth in such a way that the person in error will understand and will repent from their wrong beliefs. The responsibility of the believer is to know the truth through diligent study of the Bible in order to correct false teachings and doctrines as well as false religions. God's desire is to see people set free from the captivity of the devil so they can experience the life he intends for them to enjoy.

Unashamed

 ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Paul was in prison at the time of his writing this letter to Timothy. He knew his life would soon be over yet his faith in Christ remained strong. He was unashamed to be where he was and reflected on his calling to ministry that God had purposed from eternity. He was a recipient of the grace of God that resulted in his salvation and calling to ministry. His encouragement to Timothy to join in the sufferings he was experiencing may seem to many to be strange and something that should be avoided yet Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for his faith. He valued his faith and salvation and found it to be worth suffering persecution and imprisonment. He remained faithful to his calling and did not desert the Lord during these times of opposition and oppression. Through great tests come great testimonies and Paul's life is a prime example of one who overcame each test through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him and left a legacy of faithfulness in following God's call.