It is a shame that the word “saint” has been hijacked by the Catholic Church. In the original Greek the word simply means “holy.” In Christ you are perfectly clothed with His holiness. In that sense you are a saint. That is how you are seen in the eyes of God. How many of you who profess Christ see this as your identity? You don’t if you are trying to find your acceptance from other people. You don’t if you are seeking to earn God’s favor. And you don’t if your life isn’t seen as one that is practically becoming more holy (or more “saintly”) over time. Your position is saint. You are not trying to become a saint. Your identity is Christ. It begins here and everything flows from that reality for the believer.
Randy Smith

Bible Reading: DEC17: Titus, Philemon

Titus was a Greek believer (Galatians 2:3) who
was won to Christ through Paul’s ministry (Titus 1:4).
We know very little about his background. He is not once
mentioned in Acts. It is very likely that he was a
convert from heathenism who attached hmself to Paul and
assisted in taking the offering for the saints (II
Corinthians 12:18). Titus met Paul at Troas with the
report of the Corinthian situation. Titus carried the
second letter to the Corinthians back for Paul. He was
Paul’s helper, left at Crete to reorganize the church
until Paul could send Tychicus or Artemas to take over
(Titus 3:12). Titus was with Paul at Rome in his second
imprisonment. From there he travelled to Dalmatia on a
mission for the apostle (II Timothy 4:10). Paul’s
estimate of Titus is given in II Corinthians 8:23.

Several words are repeated in this brief letter
that help us understand the burden on Paul’s heart. Good
works is a major emphasis in this book. “Saved by grace”
means saved unto good works, not by works. Christian
doctrine and Christian living are to be sound. There
ought to be a life of godliness, not worldliness. God’s
grace leads a person to live a godly life. The key verse
for this book is probably chapter 3:8: “…they which
have believed in God might be careful to maintain good
works.” As we read this book, I trust we can grasp what
Paul is saying. He gives instructions to Titus, as well
as to Christians today, as to how we should live. He
also emphasizes a message to pastors in chapters 2 and
3. It is important that a pastor have a balanced
ministry, teaching and exhorting the saints, as well as
refuting the enemies of the truth. We, as pastors,
should not get involved in every “dog fight” that comes
along. We should be careful to preach the Word of God in
simplicity and truth, and allow God’s Holy Spirit to
take care of the rest. I do not mean that we should
compromise the truth, but that we should not be involved
in every petty argument that comes along. Do not major
on minors. Satan will bring minors to the forefront in
most churches and cause dissension and misunderstanding,
when the major portion of the pastor’s job is prayer,
preaching the Word, and handling every situation
according to the Word of God.