The third and final chapter in Titus is one which would not be well received in many modern churches, especially those in 1st world countries – the western world in particular. Paul bears down once more on the necessity to maintain good works. Three of the works he mentions by name are perhaps the most widely rejected in the modern church in terms of theology and practice than any others.

He begins by telling Christians that they are to submit to and obey those who govern them. This is so widely rejected and opposed within the church that one would think it is a peripheral doctrine which only crops up once in all of scripture. More jumping through doctrinal hoops and special pleading is used to get around these obvious commands than nearly any other topic in scripture.

The second thing Paul mentions is the need to show fruitfulness in their union with Christ by giving, especially to urgent needs.

The third and final instruction of Paul is given in the form of a warning and that is to reject anyone in the local assemblies who are divisive, after having warned them twice. This action of church discipline which was mentioned first by Christ Himself in Matthew 18 and then by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 and now here in Titus (not to mention that mentioned in Thessalonians). Most churches are either unwilling or unable to fulfill this mandate. Unwilling in that they are more afraid of man than they are respectful to the point of obedience to God. Unable in that many churches are so large today that it would be impossible for any pastor to even know all the people, much less know if there is unrepentant sin continuing in the lives of his sheep. These shepherds, though many are well meaning, have exchanged the intimacy of close knit ministry for size and numbers. This is a monstrous substitution that has many shepherds smelling more like money than sheep.

All of these commands are clear and powerful directives from God our Father and ones which require our zealous obedience!