Reading Titus

I've spent some considerable time in the book of Titus lately; gearing up for teaching it this fall.  I've been really enjoying the message of the book...Martin Luther called parts of it "the gospel in a nutshell."  I appreciate how the grace of God, and our knowledge of it is so directly linked to right behaviors (lifestyle).  The link between the two is so clear in Titus.  What a needed message for us today...how is it that we as Christ followers should move forward addressing the lifestyle issues that come up everyday in our lives, and in the lives of those around us?..interestingly I think one of Paul's answers is "know the truth of the gospel."  Right belief will lead to right behavior.   

If this is true could it then be that a major driving force behind so much of the scandal today in the church on an organizational level, and so much heartache on an individual level, is a result of an incorrect view of God/a misunderstanding of the gospel?...I think this is often the case...what you believe really does determine how you live...