Today, we dove into Titus 3:1-8 comparing what Paul said in these verses comparing them to Romans 3:19-28, seeing that in this dispensation of the grace of God, no one is justified by works. We are justified by the finished work of Christ on Calvary, resurrecting from the dead 3 days later. This is the gospel revealed to Paul, and recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Titus 3:4-7: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Understanding the principles of right division help us when we contrast Titus 3 and Romans 3 to James 2:14-26. James declared that faith without works is dead – nekros. This is clearly a contradiction – faith without works vs faith plus works.
James 2:24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Who is right – Paul or James? Understanding dispensational truth through rightly dividing the word of truth, teaches us they are both right. Paul is right for this dispensation of the mystery, the dispensation of the grace of God; and James is right for the gospel of the kingdom, the gospel of the circumcision given to him and Peter and John for the salvation of Israel. These are two different messages to two different people groups and two different time periods.
Romans 3:21-26: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
We will attempt to complete the book of Titus this coming Sunday, after which we will spend some time looking at difficult scriptures in Matthew and other gospels, from a “right division” mindset understanding scripture through the lens of the Mystery. Also, if you would like a certain scripture explained, please email the scripture to me, and I would be glad to explain it in class. I will not divulge who sent a scripture to be explained.
Remember, the prophetic program concerning Israel is in “timeout” during this dispensation of the mystery program. It will resume when the mystery period closes at the rapture of the Church Age saints.