Page 18 - Pastoral Epistles I & 2 Timothy, Titus

What do you think Paul means when he says this?

Why was the law given?
The purpose of the law was not to give us a list of commands but to show us our sin and help us to
see our need for a Savior.
In V6, Paul said that the leaders had been on solid doctrine, but they have since departed and turned to
meaningless talk.
V7 says they want to be teachers of the law.

 It could be that they wanted the title of “teacher.” They wanted people to look up to them rather than
humbly serve the Lord.

1:8-10. Understanding the Purpose of the Law.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for
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the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious,
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for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those
practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is
contrary to the sound doctrine.
The purpose of the law is to clear lines/boundaries for godly living – to show us what God is like and to point us
to our need for salvation.

The law does not save us – it points us to the One who can save us.
1:12-17. Understanding the Work of Grace.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy,
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appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a
violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our
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Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in
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me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those
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who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

No one is beyond the scope or power of God to save and re-create into His likeness. God is
generous in His love and mercy. He has shown mercy to all of us because we are all sinners.

The only evidence that salvation has taken place in someone’s life is that their life has changed.
2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has
gone, the new is here!
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1 John 2:3-6. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever
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says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that
person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how
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we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
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If there is no change in anyone’s life, how do we know salvation has taken place? It is the changed life
that gives us the evidence of salvation.

We follow Jesus.
John 10:27. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
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