Good Work Obedience Rulers

The Good Work of Obedience to Rulers

The third and final chapter in Titus is one which would not be well received in many modern churches, especially those in 1st world countries – the western world in particular. Paul bears down once more on the necessity to maintain good works. Three of the works he mentions by name are perhaps the most widely rejected in the modern church in terms of theology and practice than any others.

He begins by telling Christians that they are to submit to and obey those who govern them. This is so widely rejected and opposed within the church that one would think it is a peripheral doctrine which only crops up once in all of scripture. More jumping through doctrinal hoops and special pleading is used to get around these obvious commands than nearly any other topic in scripture.

The second thing Paul mentions is the need to show fruitfulness in their union with Christ by giving, especially to urgent needs.

The third and final instruction of Paul is given in the form of a warning and that is to reject anyone in the local assemblies who are divisive, after having warned them twice. This action of church discipline which was mentioned first by Christ Himself in Matthew 18 and then by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 and now here in Titus (not to mention that mentioned in Thessalonians). Most churches are either unwilling or unable to fulfill this mandate. Unwilling in that they are more afraid of man than they are respectful to the point of obedience to God. Unable in that many churches are so large today that it would be impossible for any pastor to even know all the people, much less know if there is unrepentant sin continuing in the lives of his sheep. These shepherds, though many are well meaning, have exchanged the intimacy of close knit ministry for size and numbers. This is a monstrous substitution that has many shepherds smelling more like money than sheep.

All of these commands are clear and powerful directives from God our Father and ones which require our zealous obedience!

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Wisdom Proverbs 8

I, Wisdom…

This is a very unique chapter in all the Bible! While several of the first 9 chapters of Proverbs, personify wisdom – THIS chapter, seems to go a little further, suggesting that this is more than simply allegory.

Regardless of whether the existence of Wisdom as a real spirit as opposed to simply being represented as such for literary and allegorical reasons, we still learn much about wisdom in this chapter.

Certainly what is further stressed in this chapter is the lasting value of Wisdom and that those who proactively seek her find life and the favor of God!

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Saving grace

Saving grace has been revealed to all

In Paul’s letter to Titus he gave instructions regarding Christian behavior so that believers on Crete would honor God in their lives and be living witnesses unto the gospel.

However, in his closing statements in chapter 2 Paul explains that God’s grace has already gone before them. That through creation and the direct influence of the Holy Spirit God has paved the way for their living testimony by influencing the hearts of everyone in the world in preparation for the gospel they are to live and preach.

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Hear my wisdom son – Avoid the adulterous woman!

Proverbs 7 continues the tradition of the first 9 chapters by being advice given Solomon by his father (and mother) which he in turn penned down for all future generations.

David knew his son Solomon, and understood his weakness was beautiful women, so the wise counsel he offered him along this line was extensive.

In this chapter wisdom is again personified as it will be in the following 2 chapters, but in this case wisdom is the witness to the story AND the one telling the story both!

The development of the chapter goes like this:
A son receives wise counsel from his father
Wisdom then is personified to witness and narrate a story in which the son does not heed his fathers instruction
The “villian” if she can be called that, is an adulterous woman
The story ends in the near ruin of the son
The chapter ends with the closing statements of the father.

So I encouraged everyone to use their imagination to take on the role of wisdom as she viewed the entire story as it unfolded from her balcony window.

After looking at the mistakes, missteps and foolishness of this naive son, we cast our glances back at the woman – the adulteress. What was her story? What likely led her to this ungodly decision? What motherly advice did she scorn or fail to receive?

Hopefully this will be a blessing as you walk through this chapter afresh and with perhaps a perspective that you will find unique.

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Sound Doctrine Good Works

Sound Doctrine leading to Good Works

Today we’re beginning the “book of” Titus!

This letter has a distinctly familial feel to it and with good reason. Titus was another one of Paul’s beloved sons in the faith!

Like Timothy who was left in Ephesus with a similar mission, Titus was left in Crete to set in order the things which still needed doing which included establishing sound doctrine and pastors in all the churches on the Isle.

Crete is an island which was part of the Roman empire and though it is not small (approximately 3,800 square miles) its population 2000 years ago was only about 200,000 people. This equates to about 78 people per square mile. For scale Tampa, FL is only about 114 square miles and currently boasts about 3,376 people per square mile.

The point being that in each township there was a relatively small population and yet in each town where there was a church, each had at least two pastors of equal authority which played into the purpose of God for the church and for Titus being sent into the hostile area.

Paul quoted one of the prophets of Crete as saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons”. Paul agreed with this assessment.

So sound doctrine was paramount as was correcting error and silencing opposition in the church. Titus had his work cut out for him, but the result was to establish Christians throughout Crete who were eager for good works!

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