Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, June 22, 2007

Titus 1 & 2

Paul teaches throughout his writings -

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (New Testament Romans 10:9 - 11)

And -

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." (New Testament Ephesians 2:8)

That is the doctrine we teach that we are saved by the grace of our Savior. There is nothing we can do to be saved by ourselves. Alma taught his son, Shiblon -

"...there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." (Book of Mormon Alma 38:9)

But nonetheless, Paul explains to Titus that there is an obligation on our part saying -

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (New Testament Titus 1:15 - 16)

Works seem to demonstrate unfeigned faith. Paul summarizes this doctrine as he instructs Titus -

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (New Testament Titus 2:11 - 14)

It was then Titus's duty to -

"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority..." (New Testament Titus 2:15)