What Grace Teaches Us

Reading:  Titus 2:11-15
    
    Here Paul sums up the instruction he has given for various age groups by explaining why we now live differently than before we knew God.  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”(Titus 2:11-12).  Our change has not originated with us; it came when God’s grace appeared in the person of Jesus.  But that grace not only blesses us; it teaches us.  Grace teaches us “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.”  Some things are definitively wrong and must be eliminated.  It teaches us “to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”  Our new life will be one where we show the discipline and devotion we failed to show previously.  Grace teaches us that we must respond to God’s blessings with a commitment to live for him.

    Grace also teaches us to anticipate the return of the one who has done so much for us:  “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”(Titus 2:13-14).  Our lives are now characterized by waiting, looking forward to the return of the savior who has loved us so richly.  Knowing that he “gave himself for us,” we give our lives for him, disciplining ourselves and replacing our passion for evil with a heart “zealous for good works.”  

    Grace is not simply about a transaction in which God gives and we receive.  It is about God’s kindness revolutionizing our lives and showing us a better way to live.  We know what it cost to buy us out of our sins, so we refuse to live in sin any longer.  We know how much God loves us, so we trust the goodness of his instructions for us.  We know Jesus is coming back, so we eagerly await him. God has lavished his love on us and we respond with our own love and obedience.

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One Thing to Think About:  How do we normally respond when someone gives us a gift?

One Thing to Pray For:  Zeal for good works
 

Everybody Needs Self-Control

Reading:  Titus 2:1-10
    
    As Titus works with a variety of people in the Cretan churches, Paul gives tips on what lessons he needs to emphasize.  “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine”(Titus 2:1).  Sound (healthy) teaching addresses all the various age and gender groups within the congregation.  Each verse here contains a nutshell picture of Paul’s vision for what each group should be.  “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.  They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women”(Titus 2:2-4).  The older generations lead the way for the younger by their examples of discipline, dignity, and devotion to God.  Older women also directly “teach” and “train” the younger women the aspects of the faith unique to them.

    Younger Christians follow this lead.  “and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled”(Titus 2:4-6).  Older women guide the younger women regarding their work in the home.  Interestingly, younger men are given only the instruction to be self-controlled (perhaps implying that this is their most significant and difficult battle).  Titus himself must become “a model of good works”(Titus 2:7) in both his personal life and his teaching.   Even servants, by their disposition and treatment of their masters, “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior”(Titus 2:10).

    What is notable to me here is that everybody needs self-control.  Older men need it (v. 2).  Older women need it (v. 3).  Young women need it (v. 5).  Young men need it (v. 6).  As Paul surveys these churches and contemplates their status in their community, he views self-control as an urgent need.  Christians must learn to restrain themselves, saying no to evil (and to ourselves) and yes to good.  Self-control applies our faith to our use of substances, our patience with others, our impulses (sexual and otherwise), and our ability to wait patiently for better things.  We are not exempt; everybody needs self-control.

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One Thing to Think About: How will I develop self-control today?

One Thing to Pray For:  Healthy teaching so that I can grow
 

Cretans and Culture

Reading:  Titus 1:10-16
    
    Paul has left Titus in Crete, in part to appoint elders to counteract the dangerous spiritual climate there.  “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.  They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach”(Titus 1:10-11).  It sounds as though there is a Jewish contingent within the church (“the circumcision party”) that is focusing on “Jewish myths”(Titus 1:14) and “teaching for shameful gain”(Titus 1:11).  Their attitude (“insubordinate”) and teaching are contagious and creating significant problems within the group.

    In passing, Paul makes an intriguing comment about Cretan culture.  “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’  This testimony is true.  Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith”(Titus 1:12-13).  Paul is certainly exaggerating (not all Cretans are evil, lazy liars), yet he is making an important statement about the culture on Crete.  Cultures have an impact on our faith.  He is concerned that the Cretans will continue in old patterns of living and thinking rather than being “sound in the faith.”  He then comments to Titus about the “empty talkers” :  “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.  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work”(Titus 1:15-16).  There are certain types of people who manage to defile even good things.  We know them not by their professions, but their actions.  Titus will need this type of discernment as he deals with the insubordinate on Crete.

    If culture has an impact on faith, honesty demands that we ask some tough questions.  Paul has harsh words for Cretan culture.  What would Paul say about American culture?  What would he tell modern ministers to “rebuke sharply”?  Is it possible that we are blind to the impact materialism, sexualization, consumerism, and selfishness are having on our faith?  Are we as loyal to Jesus as we are to our culture?

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One Thing to Think About: How has my culture rubbed off on me?

One Thing to Pray For:  Discernment to see what God approves and disapproves in my time
 

Why We Need Elders

Reading:  Titus 1:1-9
    
    Just as Paul left Timothy in Ephesus, so he has now left Titus on the island of Crete to minister to the Christians there.  “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”(Titus 1:5).  “What remained” is better translated “the things that are lacking”(NKJV) or “what was left unfinished”(NIV).  Something is missing because churches on Crete lack elders.  Fixing the problem will involve Titus “(appointing) elders in every town.”  Paul is concerned about these churches moving forward without proper elderships.

    But why do churches need elders?  Paul sketches qualifications that are very similar to those he gives Timothy (1 Tim 3:1-7) but adds a touch more explanation.  “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”(Titus 1:9).  Elders must know and hold to “the trustworthy word” because they need to be prepared to “give instruction in sound doctrine.”  Elders are teachers.  They must give other Christians teaching that is healthy and proper.  They will also “rebuke those who contradict it,” defending what they are teaching and correcting false beliefs.  Paul has grave concerns about “insubordinate” people who are “empty talkers and deceivers”(Titus 1:10) troubling the Christians on Crete.  He says ominously that “they must be silenced”(Titus 1:11), yet he does not expect Titus to do this.  This is a job for elders.

    When churches do not have elders, something is lacking.  We need qualified elders to be examples, shepherds, and wise decision makers.  These qualifications make clear that they are men of integrity and proven character.  Yet we also need them to provide and insist on appropriate Christian teaching, even in the face of opposition.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I appreciate and honor the elders I serve under?

One Thing to Pray For:  Wisdom for our elders
 

Rich in Good Works

Reading:  1 Timothy 6:11-21
    
    Paul has been discussing people who have a “craving for controversy,” discontent and seeking to become rich.  “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness”(1 Tim 6:11).  Timothy should be different.  He must “flee” such twisted motivations and “pursue” faith and love and kindness.  Honoring God with our lives involves running away from certain things, but it also involves diligently seeking after things that are good and noble.  The daily choices we make to flee and pursue determine who we become.

    As Paul winds down his letter, he urges Timothy to keep teaching (“fight the good fight of faith,” 6:12, and “charge them,” 6:17) and remember that he will be judged by “the King of kings and Lord of lords”(1 Tim 6:15).   He has a specific lesson he wants Timothy to teach:  “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life”(1 Tim 6:17-19).  He has warned about the “desire to be rich”(1 Tim 6:9) and now addresses those who are already rich.  There are right ways to view and use wealth.  Money is unworthy of our hopes; it is God (not money) that provides what we need.  Money is not good in itself, but is an opportunity to “do good.”  True riches are held by those who are “rich in good works.”  Especially does he want wealthy people to share and do good with what they have been given because they are confident greater riches are in the age to come.

    With the desire to be rich usually comes the hope that we will spend our wealth on ourselves.  We long to indulge our cravings, sleep securely without fear, and face the obstacles of life with more buying power.  We rarely question the deep selfishness in these desires.  Whatever measure of wealth we have been given, we can use our money to bless others and lay up treasure in heaven.

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One Thing to Think About: Am I “generous and ready to share”?

One Thing to Pray For:  The wisdom to flee evil and pursue righteousness today