Titus for You by
Tim Chester
We are often unfamiliar with the Pastoral Epistles in the
church. Church government and leadership
puzzle us because we’d rather get on with the show. Yet, the book of Titus, is such an important
book for the church today. Pastor Tim
Chester gives us much to chew on as he opens up the book of Titus to us in his
new commentary, Titus for Everyone,
published by thegoodbook company. In the
introduction, Tim brings out the point that appointed church leadership is part
and parcel of the book of Titus, but this is important in the context of
evangelical zeal for the gospel. The
process of appointing church leaders should not denigrate zeal for the gospel
but promote life giving energy for the good news of Jesus Christ (12).
Tim quickly gets into some troubling waters for many
Christians when writes about the sovereignty of God in salvation. Why preach the good news if God is the one
who elects sinners? Tim writes, “But for
Paul it had the opposite effect. He knew
there were people out there who God had chosen to make alive. All they needed was someone to preach the
gospel. And he could be that
person. If he preached, then those who
God had chosen would put their faith in Christ.
It might be a long process, but God would save his elect (16).” The very fact of God’s choosing or electing
sinners for salvation should push us to see the grand occasion we have for
proclaiming God’s salvation in Christ.
Paul knew that the gospel being proclaimed depended upon his words, his
life, and his witness to what Jesus had done for him. Tim reminds us that Titus finds this harmony
of sovereignty and proclamation at the heart of God’s mission in the
world.
Tim’s emphasis on grace in writing about Titus 2.11-15 is
also very illuminating. He writes, “Grace
does not simply prepare us for the future age (by saving us from God’s
judgment). Grace also shapes our lives
in the present (78).” There is a
sanctifying grace that we inherit and a saving grace that we experience but
also future grace. Paul is pleased to
talk about the appearing of Jesus in light of his grace and glory. What does this mean for present believers? Well, for one, it means that we do not live
the Christian life like a man alone on a raft at sea, but amidst a believing
community that shares in the same grace.
Tim’s outline of (Grace has appeared, What grace teaches us, Glory will
appear, an How grace teaches us) is helpful in understanding the comings of
Jesus.
Overall, this short commentary is very beneficial in outline
the major contents of Titus. While being
bother pastorally sensitive and theologically solid, this commentary will be a
great resource for pastors and students alike.
Thanks to Cross Focused Reviews and thegoodbook company for
the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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