Titus 1:1 – 2:15

May 29, 2013

God cannot lie!

"God always speaks truth. When he makes a covenant, he keeps it. When he makes a statement, he means it. And when he proclaims the truth we can believe it. What he says is true." ~ From Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado.

God cannot lie. His truth is TRUTH. Titus 1:1-2 - "I was sent to help the faith of God's chosen people and to help them know the truth that shows people how to serve God. That faith and that knowledge come from the hope for life forever, which God promised to us before time began. And God cannot lie."

As believers, His truth should be reflected in our lives. You cannot receive God's grace and remain the same. It changes you. Understanding grace means you can never live your life in the same old way again. Grace is not a license to live however you please. Not only is it not a license, it should not be abused and our lives cannot remain status quo. Instead, understanding grace should lead us on a path towards holiness.

That's why Paul again lists the attributes of an elder. Our Senior Pastor always says that you cannot lead someone where you have never been. So true. An elder (leader) is a manager for God, so his (or her) life should reflect God's. A leader in the church:

• Must not be guilty of doing wrong
• Must not be selfish
• Must not become angry quickly 
• Must not drink too much
• Must not like to start trouble
• Must not try to get rich by cheating others

A leader must be hospitable, love what is good, be wise, live right, be holy, and be self-controlled. They must hold onto truth and help others by using true teaching. Their life example and work points out the truth to those who are against true teaching. But even when you live right and do right, you will still run into people who just refuse to acknowledge and accept truth. Titus 1:11a - "These people must be stopped." It's not just that they are harming themselves so ignore them and let them go. They are harming others and hurting the cause of Christ. These people:

• Hurt and upset entire families by their actions and teachings which they do to get rich by cheating people.
• "They are liars, evil animals, and lazy people who do nothing but eat." (A quote from one of the Cretans prophets in Titus 1:12)

Titus 1:13–16 - "So firmly tell those people they are wrong so they may become strong in the faith... to those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good." That is why they must be stopped. KJV - "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him. being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." NIV - "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

So, is this why? Is this why "these people must be stopped"? We have said those very words many times. We strongly felt my sister and brother-in-law had to be stopped because of their actions. Their purpose was to "use" and "abuse," and because of that, we felt "these people must be stopped." So, (as our lawyer commented) we put our heads in the mouth of the lion to do it. But now for the first time, I am understanding more of what "these people must be stopped" means. Us knowing "these people must be stopped" involved so much more than putting a stop to their use and abuse of others and situations. So much more.

It is for the reasons listed in Titus 1:10–16 that they must be stopped. It isn't for the purpose of destroying them, it is for the purpose of restoring them," so they can become strong in the faith." Like we have said so many times, my sister and brother-in-law will either be like the Saul of the Old Testament (destroyed) or the Saul of the New Testament (restored). Once you have known Truth there is no middle ground. You either accept Truth and follow His ways, or you reject Truth (Him) and follow your own destructive, evil ways which will ultimately lead to judgment by the one true and holy Judge.

My sister and brother-in-law's actions did not begin or end with us. It has been a lifetime of choices. I don't know why God chose us to stand up against the lies, but He did, and we will. "These people must be stopped." Not just for the harm they have inflicted on others, but "so they may become strong in the faith." I pray my sister and brother-in-law will choose to surrender, change their hearts and minds, and follow the Truth. Everything we have went through has been worth it because of all we have learned and been taught. How awesome it would be if they would understand this waiting period was their day of Grace, and they would stop and change their ways.

That is our desire and prayer. However this ends, we are grateful for all God has done in our lives, and we are also grateful for the days of grace He has extended to my sister and brother-in-law. Titus 2:8 - "Speak the truth so that you cannot be criticized. Then those who are against you will be ashamed because there is nothing bad to say about us." So live by following the true teaching. Be self-controlled, serious, wise, strong in faith, strong in love and in patience, be holy, be wise and pure, be kind, work hard, submit to authority, encourage others, do good deeds, be honest. In other words: let your walk match your talk.

Titus 2:11–14 - "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to  say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Titus 2:15 - "These, then are the things you should teach.  Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

TEACH!


Next Entry: Titus 3:1–15