Reading the book of Titus felt like a leadership crash
course rooted in grace and grounded in responsibility. Paul did not waste any
words. He got straight to the point—“Here is what you need to do. Here is
why it matters.”
Titus was left in Crete, and apparently, the folks there had
a reputation. They were known for being dishonest, wild, and hard to manage.
Paul acknowledged that and still said, “Set things in order.” That part
challenged me. Because sometimes I look at a messy situation and want to walk
away. But Paul was saying, “You are there on purpose. Bring order. Bring
truth. Bring sound doctrine.”
That made me pause. God does not always place us in easy
environments. Sometimes He plants us in chaos—so that we can be a stabilizing
force.
What stood out most was Paul’s emphasis on sound teaching.
Not just preaching. Not just opinions. But teaching that shapes lives. He told
Titus to teach older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and leaders
how to live in ways that reflected the gospel. That felt so practical, so
direct. It reminded me that the gospel is not just about what we believe—it is
about how we behave.
And then Paul hit on grace. He said, “The grace of God
has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…” But he did not stop
there. He said grace teaches us how to live. That part was powerful. Because we
often treat grace like a free pass, but Paul said grace is a teacher. Grace
trains us to say no to ungodliness. Grace empowers us to live with self-control,
integrity, and hope.
That reshaped how I see spiritual growth. It is not about
trying harder. It is about responding to the grace I have already received.
Paul also told Titus to remind people to be good citizens—to
submit to authority, to be kind, to avoid arguments, and to be ready for every
good work. That convicted me. Because sometimes I want to be “deep” and
theological, but Paul was saying, “Be decent. Be kind. Be different.”
That kind of witness speaks volumes.
Reading Titus reminded me that ministry is not about
glamour—it is about grit. That leadership means helping others grow, even when
the environment is tough. That grace is more than forgiveness—it is
transformation. And that God can use me to bring order, stability, and
truth—even in wild places.