When I was a child, I thought that Christianity was about being a good person. Doing the right thing. Being nice. In my early adulthood, that understanding shifted radically, and I thought that Christianity was mostly about what I believed. Sound doctrine. Robust theology. But as I’ve walked with the Lord and studied His Word, I’ve come to realize that both what I think and what I do — right belief and right character — matter. And they fuel each other in beautiful ways.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to Titus, emphasized the significance of both right belief and right character as essential components of a life that truly testifies to the goodness of the gospel. As
believers, we are called not only to understand the truth of God’s Word but also to let that truth shape our actions, attitudes, and overall way of life.
Right Belief: The Foundation of Faith
Right belief, or sound doctrine, is the bedrock of Christian faith. It involves a clear and accurate understanding of who God is, what He has accomplished through Jesus Christ, and how we are called to respond. In Paul’s letter to Titus, he highlighted the necessity of sound doctrine, or sound teaching. He wanted Titus and everyone in the church in Crete to know and hold fast to the gospel of grace that had been handed down to them.
We need the same. Sound doctrine is the anchor that keeps our hearts and minds from being blown around by every gust of wind. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:14, sound teaching keeps us from being “children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.”
Right belief requires more than just intellectual assent; it requires a deep, heartlevel conviction that shapes every thought, emotion, and action we have.
But we can’t believe what we don’t know. We must know God’s Word, all of it, for our beliefs to be accurate and strong anchors. This pursuit calls for a commitment to regular study of Scripture, prayer, and a willingness to be continually transformed by the Holy Spirit. We must press further into this call every day of our lives. We never outgrow our need to know and believe God’s Word more than we currently do.
But knowledge alone is not the goal. A transformed life is. In Titus 1:1, Paul wrote of the “knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,” underscoring the beautiful link between what we believe and how we live.
Right Character: The Evidence of Faith
While right belief is crucial, it is incomplete without the corresponding evidence of right character. James reminds us that “faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself” (Jas. 2:17).
What we do, our character, demonstrated through our actions, attitudes, and relationships, is the visible manifestation of our faith. It is how others see the reality of the gospel at work in our lives. It is the confirmation that the gospel is at work in our lives.
In his letter to Titus, Paul urged believers to live lives that are above reproach. He instructed Titus to make himself “an example of good works,” and to demonstrate integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech (Titus 2:7). These qualities are not merely for personal benefit; they serve as
a powerful testimony to others, showing that the gospel truly transforms lives.
As Christians we are tasked not only with knowing God’s Word but also with embodying the truth of the gospel in our daily lives. As we seek to live in light of who God is and what He’s done for us in Jesus, we are transformed. Right belief changes how we live. And how we live is fueled by what we know. They are inseparable. Together, they bear a powerful witness to the goodness and transformative power of the gospel.
This article by Courtney Doctor originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Mature Living magazine.
Titus Bible Study
Join Courtney Doctor as she teams up with Hunter Beless to explore every verse of Paul’s letter to his friend Titus. In this 8-session study, you’ll see the essential connection between right belief and right character and the way both testify to the goodness of the gospel. And you’ll be reminded that our world will be attracted to the gospel when they see its beauty displayed in us. Learn more at lifeway.com/titus and read an excerpt.
