Titus

So I know I’ve already looked at the first chapter of Titus, but as I was putting up my blog posts into my social media I saw this line: 

, which God, who never lies, 

And I thought to myself, I don’t think I really looked at those words. 

Brings me back to my youth when I was convinced there was NOTHING God could not do. Oh, I argued with my catechism teacher…until he showed me this verse. Then I learned that indeed there were things that God cannot go and one of this :

HE CANNOT LIE. 

Imagine that. 

I remember when I learned that I was stunned.  To think of a being that never ever lied.

So content within himself that he doesn’t need to make himself look good, can keep track of all his commitments, doesn’t forget anything, always remembers promises made.  

I was so completely stunned.    I still am.

Can you imagine what that means?  I know that God doesn’t lie?  It means you can trust him implicitly.   He’s not telling you something that isn’t true.  When he says he acts in us in order that we might show his glory…. he means exactly that.  Our lives tell others something about him.  His actions tell us about him. His words are true and in keeping with who he is in his entirety.  

It leads me to ask this of you.

What does it mean to YOU to know that God doesn’t lie?

 

Learning today from Titus 3:12-15/

12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

As always, when Paul closes off a letter to someone he gives some instructions about plans he has.  Today his instructions are fairly simple for the most part… 

He plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to him, and when, whoever it is arrives, he wants Titus to come to him at Nicopolis.  Paul is hoping to spend the winter there which gives Titus time to arrive (I am making an assumptions here).

Speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, being generous in your support of them so that they don’t lack in anything they need.  Think on that a spell eh?  To be so generous with fellow believers when they travel for a reason that they LACK NOTHING.  I’m too stingy for that!  I’m sorry, I so easily count the cost of everything, wondering how little I can get away with.   Are you the same?   Are you generous in your helpfulness?

Then comes this line from Paul “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”  Oh… but I am called to account.  If I am so busy counting my pennies… am I devoted to good works or… am I devoted to myself and my own needs?  It’s not a pretty picture.

I think if I saw God’s mercy and his love for me MORE clearly this wouldn’t be an issue.  When I look at the future, with hubby currently not having a job, and me trying to watch our pennies so I can be protective of the future and our needs… am I seeing God clearly?   Or I am worrying about something I aught not worry on.  If God cares for the birds (even in this bitter cold weather) why wouldn’t I think he’ll take care of me?  Ergo, my giving to others, when called upon, should be generous and not stingy.   It should be a good works because of my trust in God.   Don’t you think?

How do I cultivate that type of response?  How can I see God more and myself less?   Might I somehow make it a more automatic response?   I suppose the same way I treat my boy… calling him out on poor decision making and helping him make a better one. Over and over again. The repetition builds automatic responses.  Responses of faith in the Lord instead of trusting to myself.  Responses of Good works and not minding my own self.  Generousity in my giving through deliberate action.

Let us help those with urgent need generously.  Let us do good works. Let us choose to not be unfruitful. Let me choose to trust God more easily, and honestly…he does have my back, he does care what happens to us down the road, he is EVER mindful.  Be generous.

Paul closes with this line of greeting: All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.  Grace be with you all.   Greet each other.  Love others in the faith.  Extend grace to each other.

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Continuing our study of Titus 3:1-11.  Verses 1-2 here. 

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Do you remember how we are called to be better than what we are?  Submissive, obedient and so forth?

Paul isn’t just talking to the people of Crete for he says this “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” Paul acknowledges that we’ve all come from the selfish place of being foolish, and disobedient, easily led astray, stuck to only following our passions, wanting what we don’t have and being angry about it.  It’s been part of our lives.  BUT then this happened.

The goodness and kindness of the Lord appeared.  The Saviour came. His mercy was shown.  It was not a “We did this thing” but a “God came and showed his love and mercy and kindness thing”. 

We had no works of righteousness (remember we are caught up in following our own passions, looking out only for ourselves)… but then God acted.  His son the Saviour appeared.  The Holy Spirit worked his acts of regeneration and renewal.  Things changed.  God did this thing.

By being justified (made right) by his grace (his mercy shown) we became his kids, his heirs.  Eternal life is ours.  

 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Paul goes on to say that Titus must insist that the people of Crete know these things, that they believe in them, and then act on them.  It is good for them to know these things, indeed for everyone to know them for it is an excellent and profitable thing for the people of God. 

He warns them to  avoid “foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law“.  These arguments aren’t profitable, in fact they are worthless.  Paul goes so far as to tell them that if they know a person who tries to create such foolish arguments that they should just simply avoid him.  Have nothing to do with him because that person is living in their sin, not trying to get out of it. “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

I have to admit, sometimes it’s hard for me to hear these words.  To hear how bad we all are, who we need to determine to live differently because of what God did for us. 

I hear those words about not listening to the foolish among us, those that want to stir up trouble. It’s something I need to caution my lad on as he gets to be at an age where he’s putting facts together and sometimes he argues foolishly over things that don’t matter.   It’s a learning process right?  But I don’t want him cementing this methodology and having to fight against it as an adult or end up being one avoided, you know?

Remember though the reason:  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  This is the reason we change.  Thanks be to God.

Today’s Reading is from Titus 3:1-11:

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Do you remember that Titus has to deal with the men from Crete?  Men (and women) who didn’t have the best reputation for getting along with others?  Titus 1:12 says “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 

Paul gives Titus a specific instruction for him in regards to his congregation “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Not a small list eh?   As easy one to follow yes?  NOT!  At least not for me and I’m not even from Crete with a bad reputation.  🙂  But here, these people are encouraged to be better than their reputation.  They need to be submissive to their leadership, to be an obedient people, a people ready for every good work (see.. not lazy!).  They are to not speak evil of anyone, they are avoid quarreling … you know that needless fighting some folks (even me) get into that has not real purpose.   They are to be a gentle and courteous folk.   Can you imagine it?  Paul saw this possibility for the people of Crete, for the people under the guidance of Titus.  They were a people not known for such qualities.  And yet.. and yet Paul sees it in them and calls them into that type of behaviour.

Have you noticed God does the same for us? 

Seeing something in us, and calling us to live toward that goal, that ideal, that way of being.  He sees our potential in a way that no one else can.   Isn’t that awesome?  Like really.

It’s like when a teacher sees the potential in a student and pushes them into that potential … by giving extra work, or calling upon them to help with a task, or pointing out a skill that perhaps the student didn’t know they had until it was pointed out to them.   Paul sees this need, for the people of Crete to be encouraged, and so he minds Titus to do that.  To call the people to be more of what they have inside of them but don’t let out.   Be something more.

That’s the same call that God has upon our lives you know?  To be that something more.   Doesn’t that call just want to help you do better?   I know that when I am really cognizant of the fact that I am one of God’s own, that he calls me a beloved child, that it makes me want to live up to a higher standard.  If someone says that I am kind or patient… it helps me all the more to be a kind and patient person.

So let us then be that.  Let us then encourage it in others.  Be a Titus.  Be a congregant of Titus.  BE MORE.

I think that’s enough for the day, we’ll do the rest of this section another day eh?  🙂

Titus 2 is today’s reading. 

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

I admittedly am not sure if I will get through this entire chapter today. Yesterday we learned the importance of choosing elders well.. what standards they are held to.  How hard it is to live the life of one called to lead God’s people and lead them well. 

Today we pay attention not just to the elders of the church, but to a broader spectrum.

• Older men who are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in their faith, sound in love, and sound in their steadfastness.
• Older women who are to reverent in behaviour, teaching what is good, training young women.
• Young women loving their families, self-controlled, pure, home-workers, kind, submissive to their men.
• Young men are to be self-controlled.
• Everyone: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,  and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 
• Bondservants to be submissive to their masters, well-pleasing, not argumentative, honest and showing all good faith.

Why?

That in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.  This is what it comes down to.  Are we showing our Lord and Saviour in the best light?  Our goal: so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 

Kinda helps us not to be so self-serving eh?  When we see the end result of how we are supposed to live. Showing who God is and not giving folks reason to be talking negatively about us. 

I don’t know about you but gee… I don’t find this so easy to do.  That self-controlled bit.. man.. I SUCK AT THAT.  I want something I go get it.  I’m feeling nibbly.. I get food.  I want a rabbit.. I go find one.  I want a Thing.. I get it.. unless of course I’m broke.   Not a good thing.  So how do I learn better self-control.  I AM slowly learning this you know.  To say hey.. so what if you are nibbly STOP IT. I question myself: Do I really need it?  I sometimes succeed, I sometimes don’t.  Using an accountability program helps. 🙂

Sometimes I’m not so good at showing love to my family, or in teaching younger women the skills they need.  I need to find a better place to be of service to God.  This holding pattern I’m in, is sometimes very hard. I want a church family to call my own long term. 

Anyways, why does Paul tell this all to Titus?  Is he teaching him so that he can teach the Cretans… that hard group of  people to work with?   

Paul reminds Titus and me of this: God’s grace appeared. It did.   This grace brought salvation to all… not just those who excel and self-control or love or teaching/mentoring.  FOR ALL PEOPLE.   And that salvation.. you know what it does?   It helps to train us to renounce those icky parts of us.  Those ungodly seeking after the world parts.  Those parts that say “eat me, buy me, use me”.  This grace, this salvation gives us a hope for the future… which helps us in turn to live the self-controlled, upright and godly lives we are called of God to live.

Consider the implications of these words: the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.  We have been redeemed. We have been purified by his actions.  We are HIS people.  HIS possession.  So what should we be?  A people zealous, eager, acting in anticipation… that’s what we should be… a people who WANT to do good works.

Paul closes this chapter with this exhortation for Titus.  DO NOT LET OTHERS DISREGARD YOU.  Declare, exhort, teach, rebuke with all authority.  Remember… Christ called you to this task.. live up to it! 

I have to admit readers… sometimes, sometimes I wonder what task the Lord has given me.  What does he want me to be eager to do?  Lately I am struggling to see this task.  Pray for me won’t you?  Help me to see the task that God has set aside for me to do, the task that will bring glory to his name and show forth Christ’s goodness. The task that will be “MY GOOD WORK” for the Lord God.

original photo:

Today’s reading is from Titus 1:5-16 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Paul had left Titus in Crete for a reason.  He was to put the church there in order and get the leadership set into place.

Elders in every town!  Every town.. think about this.  Not just the big cities, but every town.  Seeing to the establishment of the church everywhere. 

What are the qualifications of an elder?

• above reproach
• husband of one wife
• Children are believers
• Not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination
• Not arrogant, quick-tempered, a drunkard, violent or greedy
• Needs to be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
• Must hold firm to the word being trustworthy as taught.
• Needs to hold firm to the word as trustworthy so that he can teach others sound doctrine AND to be able to rebuke those who would contradict that truth.

I read through that list and being chosen as an elder is hard work.  like hard!  Trustworthy, holding to the word, no charges able to be brought against, hospitable, self-controlled and more.  Elders are good men.  REALLY good men.  Not a position for the faint of heart is it?   Able to teach and rebuke!

So we know what an elder needs to be.  Now the question is this.  WHY? Why are the qualifications for elders so tough?

What is the danger?

Paul answers this:  For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers. These people need to be silenced, their shameful for gain preaching is wrecking families.  They shouldn’t be doing this and therefore need to be rebuked for doing so.  Knowing well God’s word and trusting in it gives them the tools they need to do so properly.

Titus is working with the Cretans who have the reputation for being “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” so Paul reminds Titus to be firm with them, rebuking them sharply for his end goal is this: That they be sound in the faith.  He wants them to know well the truths of God and not get caught up in myths.  Myths such as Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Knowing truth will keep them from denying God, and being detestable, disobedient and unfit for any good work.  He wants them to be pure and undefiled. So in other words.. Paul wants them to live to the life they have been called out of.  Live to being filled with HOPE, purity, loving good and so much more. So Titus needs to be tough with them for their own eternal good.

Man… tough job eh?  Makes me grin in a way though.. like working with stubborn Dutchmen!  🙂  Not for the faint of heart.  But God calls us to the task we are suited for.  And if Titus needs to work with the liars, deceivers, lazy gluttonous beasts of Cretan, he must have the ability to do so eh?

Original photo by : Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash