“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” Titus 1:16
If we claim to be in relationship with God, our actions will show the truth of our claim. While we aren’t saved by what we do, our actions reveal our true beliefs. Usually, Paul encouraged gentleness when correcting others, but here he was so upset by their hypocrisy that he instructs Titus to “rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith” (v.13). Nevertheless, even in his rebuke, he had restoration in mind.