Daily Reading March 14 2010 from Titus 1 NIV

Day 63

Titus 1:1-16 NIV
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness–2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick‑tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self‑controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach–and that for the sake of dishonest gain.12 Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Actions speak louder than words -
Today we are beginning the Epistle of Titus. Paul again is writing to one of his proteges and this time it is Titus. Just as Paul sent Timothy to the Ephesians Titus has been sent to Crete to organize the church and to appoint its leaders from city to city. You will notice here that Paul uses the same language in reference to Titus as he did Timothy, "my true son in our common faith". Paul was obviously close to Titus and had entrusted him to go and help complete the work he had begun. Paul warns Titus that false teachers are present in Crete and have been successful in leading entire homes astray with their false teachings. Paul says they are "liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons" and says to rebuke them so they will come to a more sound faith and reject the "Jewish myths." He goes on to describe impure people "their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions deny Him. They are detestable and unfit for doing anything good." As you can see Paul is being the usual politically correct character we have grown accustomed to in his writings. By this time in our reading we have come to know that this Apostle pulls no punches in speaking his mind. There is so much to be learned from these writings as they are direct letters to the churches and the individuals who have been given the task of further establishment of individuals churches. Paul goes over what to look for in leadership for these fledgling churches that he has entrusted to the care of Titus. We would do well to read these lists of attributes and strive to live a life comparable to the standard Paul is invoking.

Things like:

* being blameless
* not quick-tempered
* not given to drunkeness
* not violent
* not out for dishonest gain
* hospitable
* lovers of good
* self-controlled
* holy and disciplined
* sound in doctrine

This is quite a list and no doubt it would be a daunting task to live up to any such list. While I don't believe in developing lists for individuals to live by I do believe that God can help us to grow in Him as we live in obedience. As we seek His will and come to know His voice we begin to live out His will for our lives. When we hear and know His voice we then begin to please Him because we bear the fruit of obedience. Knowing His voice helps us to become increasingly sensitive to the small nudges of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit within us helps us to know what is acceptable to God and convicts us when we stray from the plan. Notice I used the word convicts and not condemns. Remember, it is satan that accuses and wants to condemn us. We often participate with him in these accusations by not forgiving ourselves. The Spirit of God quietly convicts us and when we act in obedience we are quick to repent and turn to God. Paul wasn't telling Titus to look for perfect individuals just those who knew God and were seeking to be more like Christ. Those concerned about their character who were unhappy when they hurt the name of Jesus with their disobedience. We need more individuals like this in our churches and society today. Jesus made a way for us to be righteous before the Father and a way for us to overcome the flesh! Are you striving for holiness in your daily life? Not condemning yourself when you miss Him but repenting and submitting your all to His care? If so God is pleased with the life you have offered unto Him. After all our life is our reasonable sacrifice! Just as Paul said that some claim to know God but their actions tell a different story I want people to know that I know God through my actions. I want to bear fruit to where there is no question as to whom I serve.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry