Titus 2:9-10

A slave? Yes, most of us have felt like slaves. Working all day everyday for someone else; doing what they say when they say. Yes a SLAVE!!! And as a slave, we pretty much just want to get the day overwith. But that just isn't good enough for Paul. In Titus 2:9 Paul says,"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted,..."

Isn't it enough that I just do my job and do it well? I want my pay check and my boss wants a job done. That should be enough! I mean I can understand the "not to steal" part and even the "not to talk back" part, but having to prove you can be trusted or even worse, "try to please them." I doubt very seriously that my boss has hired me to be their friend or even to have someone to please them, but lets start with the easy ones first.

"Not to talk back." Funny thing I've noticed about being disrespectful; it never brings you any respect. So, If you talk back; you lose your job (or in the case of a true slave; lose respect and be disrespected). I get that!

"Not to steal." Seems easy to understand and most of us wouldn't dream of stealing from our bosses. However, that word "steal" is really the word nosphizo "purloin, embezzle, withdraw covertly." That is what we think of when we say "stealing" and we would never do that (I hope you wouldn't). But this word also means something as simple as "to set apart, seperate, divide." That doesn't sound quite as bad. And it probably could be applied to all of us in regard to all that little stuff from the office that makes its way to our pockets and gets emptied on the top of the dresser at home. No we aren't being covert, but it doesn't belong to us. If your boss knew; he wouldn't be pleased. That is the point. To show that we can be fully trusted. Why? To Adorn the Gospel. If we can't be fully trusted; then why would anyone trust what we say about the Gospel.

But this all seems like something we all should do, so the question that pops into my head is why does he direct this instruction to slaves only?

Titus 2:6 self-control

"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." (KJV). I remember one time when I gave my children $5 each for helping me with a project and told them we would go to the store so they could buy something if they wanted. Even though I encouraged them to save their money; they had to spend it; every penny. It became a competition to see who could get the most things. They bought the stupidest little junk despite my constant reminder that they could save the money to buy something they really want later. There is no self-control for a kid with money in his pocket.

That's why Paul says to encourage the young men to be sober minded (self-controled). The verse does say "likewise" just like it did for the older women; which means that everything that was said to the older men, applies to the younger men. However, the one thing Paul wants to emphasize is self-control. Notice that he uses that word "exhort" or encourage (parakaleo), which means to come alongside, admonish, beseech, entreat, instruct, strengthen, console, and even beg. That word alone kinda gives you the idea that this is pretty important. And notice that he doesn't say that the younger men should be self-controled, but that they should be encouraged in that direction. Just like my kids can't really be expected to think of saving their money on their own. I have to encourage them to do it, or beseech, entreat, and even beg them to do it. Do we do that for the young men in our churches? No way!! We tend to say, "what they do isn't any of my business." If I took that kinda attitude toward my kids; then they wouldn't save a dime. They would grow up to be the kinda impulse spenders that the credit card companies just love. I care about them and their future too much to just sit back and let that happen. After all, they have to support me when I'm old. What a thrill it is for me to hear my kids come home from shopping at a thrift store and brag about how little they spent. And what a thrill it would be to come alongside, encourage, instruct, and strengthen a young man and watch him develop into a Godly man who pours his life into serving Christ. He may do things that I can't do. He may reach people that I can't reach. It's not enough for me to have it all together (well, still working on that too) but I need to help others to get it together as well. After all, my time will be over and someone will need to take over.

So how does a young man learn to be self-controled? Titus 2: 7-8, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech..." In other words we got to get control to give control. They need to see it, so we have to be it. So, get it, and give it. Got It?

Titus 2:5 If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand Times

If you have kids; then I'm sure that you have repeated yourself a few times. Then, you probably said something like, "How many times do I have to tell you?" I even have trouble when my wife tells me something. She will say, "I told you that yesterday!" To which I usually respond with, "Did you tell me more than once and slap me upside the head to get my attention?" That is about what it takes for me and I'm thinkin that I'm not alone.

This next verse in Titus (2:5) has some things in it that are repeated either right here in Titus or at least scattered throughtout scripture. It's like God knew we needed a good knock in the head before we would get it. The verse reads, "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, ...(NIV)" In the first part the, KJV, uses the word "chaste" instead of "self-controled." But the Greek is still "Sophron" meaning a sound mind or in one's senses; and yes, we have seen this one many times in Titus alone. Then there are the simple ones like "pure" and "kind" which are peppered throughout scripture. Now, looking at the "be subject to their husbands"; well, that usually gets preached at least once a year, but usually from the passage found in Ephesians 5:22.

So I really don't want to focus on these because we have all been slapped upside the head with these. But I kinda got stuck on the phrase "to be busy at home." Could it be that the Bible says that women should not work outside of the home? Are all those christian women who work outside of the home disobeying the Bible? Maybe the Bible just isn't culturally current? Or maybe it is a statement meant only for that particular culture? Can the Greek be interpreted differently for a better understanding? Yes, my brain does rapid-fire questions like that. It's really annoying at times. So what's the deal here? Is there a Biblical issue with women working outside the home? If there is; then we better pay attention and make some serious changes. But if not; then we shouldn't be pulling out our personal soap boxes to preach against womens lib. No I didn't say that I agree with womens lib or disagree. The fact of the matter is that it doesn't matter what I have to say or any other person (or well meaning pastor). It matters what the Scriptures have to say; so we had all better be careful.

So here is what I have found:

There seems to be some confusion on the actual interpretation. It is either "oikourous" (keepers at home) or "oikourgous" (workers at home). I know it doesn't look like much, and, to be honest, it isn't much. If it is the second one; then it is important to realize that this is the only place in scripture that it is used. That alone should make us pause before taking any kind of hard stance on the subject. It isn't enough, however, for us to say, "well, it only said it once, so I don't need to pay attention to it." I know that if my kids fed me that line; it would not go well for them. We need to pay attention the first time (like I tell my kids), but we have to look at it in context. Most of what we see in this text is is along the lines of character traits and not so much a "to do" list. Paul talks about women in his book to Timothy as well. (1 Tim 5:13-14) He talks about a woman being idle at home. He does talk about the young woman keeping the house, but it is more of a remedy for idleness. In Proverbs 31:27 it mentions a woman looking after her household and "does not eat the bread of idleness." Back in Titus, this is one time I like the NIV translation. It says to be busy at home. There seems to be a heavy emphasis on avoiding idle hands. The purpose of the whole passage in Titus (and Timothy for that matter) is stated very clearly, "so that no one will malign the word of God" (NIV).

So is it okay Biblically for women to work outside of the home? Though I am very tempted to give my personal opinion; I digress. If we look at this passage for what it is trying to teach; then we have to say that this is not a message on the role of women, and we should not stretch it out to be one. Titus speaks to all of us to be careful how we represent the word of God.

Titus 2:4 True Love

"And Love, true love" Oh who am I kidding? Who can explain that? How many have asked the question, "How do you know when you are really in love?" Obviously there aren't a lot of good answers to that question when 50% of marriages end in divorce. Or maybe we just don't know how to maintain that true love. Well, I don't have a good answer for how to find true love or even how to know when or if you did find true love, but Paul gives the ladies a little "how to" on maintaining true love. "Then they (the older women) can train the younger women to love their husband and children"(NIV).

Remember that the word "train" emphasizes how they should come alongside and give them real tangible or useable stuff. Not philosophies or generalities, but watching and observing these young gals before just handing out advice. Advice on what? Well, first of all, on loving thier husband and children. Yes, that is your business; the Bible says it is your business. Of course you don't just walk up and be rude about it. No it all goes back to that reverent living and coming alongside. That is worth listening to.


Now, about that loving thing. They are supposed to train them how to love their husband, but this isn't like a romantic love. The Greek here is "philandros." Now what does that look like? Kinda like "Philanthropist" or "Philadelphia." That root word "philo" does mean "love", but it is more like a friendship type love or at least an action type love. It isn't the gushy, feely, kinda love or the deep unconditional kinda love. A philanthropist is someone who helps others and Philadelphia is known has the place of brotherly love. So when Paul says that the older women should teach the younger women to love their husbands; he is talking about a how to be loving and kind and supportive. You know, the visible stuff. The how to show your husband that you love him. Not the romantic stuff; not even the sexual stuff. It's the day-to-day stuff of good, supportive friends. It's all about doing loving things. That same idea passes on to the kids as well. Those sweet little "teknons." Young women need to know how to "philoteknos."

I don't know if we can teach true love or even Godly love, but we can obviously teach and learn phileo love, and that is the key to maintaining true love.

Titus 2:3 Likewise!!

likewise, ditto, yeah what he said, et tu ladies. That's right, Paul says basically the same thing to the older ladies as he did to the older men. But it is a little different. Well of course it's different, women are different, but the message is still pretty much the same. He says that the older women should be reverent in the way they live. That sure sounds alot like "worthy of respect." And that word "reverent" is the word "hieroprepeis" in the Greek, which doesn't sound real pretty, but it plays well. It breaks down into "heiros" which means sacred, and is also used in the NAS to refer to the temple. The other part, "prepo" means to be or become suitable. Paul tells them to live like they are a suitable temple, which is the same word that was used of a priestess. Same gig as the guys, but a more beautiful way to say it.

Then he tells them not to slander or be addicted to wine. Now the wine thing we saw already with the guys in a little different form. It's still all the same, and uses the Greek for being a slave to wine. But that part about slandering is specific to the women. No I didn't say that only women slander or gossip, but apparently it needed to be addressed here. So how bad is gossip? Well, the Greek word for it is "diabolous" which is where we get words like diabolical, but also the same word used for the Devil. We tend to act like gossip is no big deal, but that's what Satan does. How can we just brush it off as nothing when it brings us to the same playing ground as Satan? Yet, we fall right into it. We like to hear it and we like to spread it. What is wrong with us? Maybe we could stop if we just pictured Satan grinning ear to ear everytime we go to gossip or hear gossip. Even if we have to imagine the red suit and pitch fork!

Then Paul tells them that it is so they can train the younger women. That word train is interesting as well. The word in Greek is "sophronizo." Now that word can be translated into "train" or even "encourage." It also looks a lot like the Greek word "sophron" which we saw in connection with the Older men when they are told to be self-controled. So, this word means to restore one to his senses. The difference between the usage for the men and for the women is that the first one tells them to be an example for the young men. Guys tend to look for a role model. We watch; we learn; we copy. The second one (to the women) places emphasis on being there to help. It is more personal training; not just teaching. This is support and encouragement and that is definately something that women are good at.

As Men and Women we are obviously very different, but God's expectations are still very much the same. Though we have different methods and styles and needs; God says "Likewise."

Titus 2:2: Extraordinary Ordinary

You know that old saying that "opinions are like butts; everyone has one, and yours stinks." Well, chapter 2 of Titus doesn't exactly say that, but I would translate it to say, "Everyone has a level of ordinary, but our ordinary should be extraordinary!"

So verse 2 doesn't really start with the word "teach" like we find in the NIV. I suppose you could argue that Titus is teaching them, and so he will need to teach them these things. I think it is more like Paul is saying, "Hey, this is the way you should be."
The first part is for men, so men, "be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance." Now this is some of that Greek freak stuff, so check it out!
Temperate (NIV) Sober (KJV)= nephalios= abstaining from wine.
Worthy of respect (NIV) Grave (KJV)=Semnos=Reverend, Honourable.
Self-controlled (NIV) temperate (KJV)=Sophron= Sound mind, in one's senses.
So the first one and the last one are kinda related. Drinking a certain amount of wine will desensitize you. In-other-words, you will be out of your senses; which means you don't have a sound mind; which means that you are not self-controlled. If you are not self-controlled; then you are controlled by something else, like booze or really anything that compels us to sin. That's right; if we can't control ourselves; then we are not sober. If we are not sober; then we are not worthy of respect. Now that word (Semnos) comes from the root word "sebo" which means worship. Now that's some weight! Is there someone who worships you? No not like they bow at your feet, but they look up to you for something. It's not that we try to get people to respect us, but that we are "worthy of respect." No, this isn't a guilt trip; It's a measuring stick. You see, "old men" doesn't necessarily refer to how old you are. You can be 95 years old physically and only 2yrs old spiritually. I was saved when I was 8yrs old, and I am now 43. I have taught the word of God almost weekly for 16 yrs. I still ain't got this thing. In some areas of my Christian life I am an old man, but in others, I'm just a child.
So in some things I should be like a spiritual father, helping the young men learn the right way, but in other things I should be looking for a spiritual father for guidance (instead of pretending to have it all together : which is a major plague in our churches today, but I digress). The point is that we are not islands. As old men, you must realize that you are being watched. Everyday, every action, every word. It isn't just what you teach, but the ordinary everyday stuff that makes a difference. So, old men, whether you are gray haired or not, we need to have an extraordinary ordinary.

Titus 2: Big Buts

I like big buts and I can not lie! This is one time when I don't like my NIV translation. This verse has to start with a big "But". Paul just got done talking about a bunch of disobedient and unfit teachers at the end of chapter 1, and now begins chapter 2 with the exact opposite. They were detestable, but you be worthy of respect. They were disobedient, but you be self-controlled. They were unfit, but you be of sound doctrine. I guess that Paul is telling Titus that if he wants to make a difference on this God foresaking island; then he better get his "But" in gear.

God has always been about the "buts" ever since he set apart a people in his name. He told them not to eat certain things or do certain things because he wanted them to have a "but" in their lives. He has called us to be set apart; to be different than the world. That's what it means to be holy. So the real question is do we have big "Buts" in our lives or just a bunch of "ands". Those "ands" don't do us any good. That's like saying, " I believe that God can meet all my needs and I'm gonna get another job." "I enjoy praising God and telling dirty jokes." The "ands" in our lives don't set us apart. We are told that they will know that we are christians by our love, but the world loves too. So, what makes us different? As Christians we are supposed to love our enemies and turn the other cheek, and all that stuff. Now that is a big but of difference. Yes, this world has cultural norms that are acceptable to man, "but" not to God. Yes, it can seem like everyone is doing it, "but" not the godly. Yes we have to live in this world, "but" we don't have to act like it. Big Buts get noticed!!! Do you got one?

"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (KJV). Yes, I did just throw some KJV in there, complete with a "thou" and everything. Sorry, but I just can't go with the NIV on this one. The NIV uses the word "teach", but the Greek is lalei, which is "speak". So what's the diff? Well, this isn't like a speech or lecture. This word is more concerned with just talking. Not like he says that we should teach or speak about anything in particular, but that the things we say should be appropriate and match up with sound doctrine. In-other-words, we got to be representin. If it comes out of my face; it should not be questionable. If I'm going to have an impact on those around me; then I can't have them scratching their heads wondering if I'm a christian because of something stupid that I said.

And this Greek word "lalei" is more like our word "talk". Like when we ask, "Can your baby talk yet." We aren't expecting great words of wisdom; we just want to know if the kid has said mama. You know, something ordinary. It's kinda like Paul is telling Titus that his "ordinary" ought to be lined up with sound doctrine. I think Paul assumes that Titus is already teaching or preaching in accord with sound doctrine, but now in ordinary everyday talk, what are we really saying? The most effective teaching I have ever had was during one on one talks. You know; someone is hanging on your words today. Will they fall back into the same ole discouragement that they had yesterday? Or will they hear something from your mouth that gives them a taste of sound doctrine and hope. Don't worry about speaking great wisdom. If you are a baby; everyone just expects you to say "mama". If you are a christian; everyone expects you to say "Abba" (Father). And when you start talking about your dad and everything that he has done for you; then your "but" is going to show

Titus:Unfit for Anything

Years ago I took a group of teens up to Canada. The first thing we did was exchange our American currency for Canadian. One of the teens saw all the colors of the Canadian currency and felt the paper quality and refused to exchange his money. He thought the money was fake! Have you seen that stuff? It does look fake! It looks like monopoly money. And how about when they came out with those new colored versions of the U.S. twenty. I remember the first time I got one of those and had to really look twice before I was convinced it wasn't fake (and to tell ya the truth; I wasn't totally convinced). At first I thought,"This is a fake,"but then I thought that a fake would be much closer to matching the "real thing." So how do you spot a fake?

In Titus 1:16 it says," They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good." So these guys are fakes and yet they are the ones teaching and leading. They are called detestable, disobedient, and unfit. So how can something so bad, pass as something good? That's the nature of a fake. It has to look good. When it comes to money, it has to be the right paper, the right ink, an exact copy. It could be almost identical, but it is missing an important part. It is not approved as money.

So here's the deal. I was intrigued by that word "unfit" because of our discovery that the word "sound" in the Greek meant healthy. So I did some research on the word "unfit." Well, it didn't go where I thought it would go, but it was still pretty interesting. So, check it out. The word "unfit" in the Greek is adokimos, which means "not approved." Now in regard to money, that approval means the difference between real and counterfit. That approval (or "dokimos")is vital. In the old days, before they had paper money, the money was made from melted metal poured into molds (Donald Grey Barnhouse,Romans: God's Glory). After it cooled they would shave off the edges to make it smooth. Many people started shaving more and more off. Some of the money changers were men of integrity who would only put into circulation the money that was full-weight. These men were called "Dokimos". Look at the difference between those words! Adokimos and Dokimos; only one letter, but a world of difference.

The language of this verse bothered me because it seemed pretty harsh. I mean, these guys aren't atheist or satanists, but church goers and teachers. Paul says they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit. Why so mean? Well, we need to remember that a small change can make a world of difference. Sin doesn't always look awful. Think about it. The number of man is (6) and the number of God (7). Not much difference there. In Romans it says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." It doesn't say that we missed it by a mile, but that we have fallen short. If we miss it by a little; we still miss it completely. I think we forget that Satan was once an amazing angel. He did one thing wrong; he said I don't need God to do this. Now Satan has become the great counterfiter. He tells us that we can do anything that we put our minds to. He tells us that if we work hard enough; then we can make it. Well, we can make it, but only to 6. We will never get that stamp of approval if we don't make it all the way to 7.

So are these men detestable? Well, if they are not "Dokimos" then they have to be "Adokimos." If not Christ; then anti-christ. Oh yeh, that's pretty harsh, but take a look in Revelation and you will see that the anti-christ is going to look good. Most people think of that "anti" part to mean the opposite of Christ; when really it is closer to meaning a counterfit version of Christ. I wonder how much of my life is just a counterfit version of God working in me. How much of my righteousness is really my own efforts, just so I will look good or feel good.

I've thought about that alot lately, now that I have found myself to be homeless (a church home that is). I don't want to just go to another church and simply start playing the church game. I want to be "Dokimos." I want everything I do to be approved by God. No, actually that last part isn't quite true or at least not completely true. See, I don't go around checking every dollar bill that I get to see if it was approved as currency. I just get it; and spend it. That's how I want my life to be. I don't want to go around looking for something to do, but I want to be ready and willing to do whatever God gives me to do. Then I don't have to worry about whether or not it is approved. I am convinced that God is less concerned with what I do, than He is with who I am. He wants me to be true; to be "Dokimos." Now that's being fit!

The "to do" list

So what do we do with this Sound Doctrine? Hold Fast!! Paul says kinda the same thing in 1 Timothy 3:9 where he says to "keep hold." Why is that important? Because, stuff comes along that sounds pretty good, and we need to know if it is good. Satan isn't stupid. He doesn't attack us with things that are obviously wrong right at the start. None of us would fall for it if someone in our church suggested that we have temple prostitutes to help us worship. I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't take a business meeting to decide that one. But Satan knows that, and so he is much more subtle about his take-over. He starts small with stuff that sounds good, but isn't quite right. I remember when I started going to a new church and attended an adult class that had no perminant teacher. I sat in class for 4 weeks as they took turns leading the class in discussion based lessons. They got into some interesting conversations that usually contained a comment that sounded good, but wasn't quite right. Like I said, I sat for 4 weeks as a guest (biting my tongue) when one of the men (whose words were always accepted as truth) made a comment that was not true at all, but sure sounded good. I couldn't take it any more, so I gracefully pulled out my Bible and showed them the sound doctrine that they were missing. It's like people quoting that phrase, "God helps those who help themselves," and believing that as some kinda scriptual truth. It just ain't there! It sounds good, but it's not. After that, I taught that class for almost 7 years (They named the class Truth Seekers).

Are you familiar with the Jewish fortress called Masada? It was built high on a mountain top and for years was impossible to conquer. In the Roman times, it became the last line of defense against the Romans (Okay, yes I am a P.B.S. freak). Even though the Romans had 10000-15000 men going against only about 1000; they still did not rush up to the fortress and take it. They couldn't because of the huge walls of rock all around. No, they spent months camped around the fortress, building this huge ramp one shovel-full of dirt at a time, until they could roll right up to the wall with a giant ram-rod. The Jews just gave up when they saw that and killed themselves. That is exactly how Satan works. He takes a shovel full of dirt and tosses it at the foot of our fortress. And what do we do? We brush it off and say, "Oh that ain't gonna hurt anything; I won't even bother with it." Before you know it, we have killed ourselves. We have to hold firm to sound doctrine so we can see him sneaking-up on us.

What else do we do with Sound Doctrine? Verse 9 says that we use it to encourage others. I think it is about time to take a sneak peak at the Greek. That word, encourage, is "Parakaleo" (to call along-side). It has the same root as the word "Paraclete" which is the Holy Spirit. I'm thinkin that the whole "you can do it" pep talk kinda encouragement isn't what we have going on here. The Holy Spirit isn't there just to tell us we are doing good, but also to guide us, warn us, and help nudge us in the right direction. We should do the same thing for those around us, except that we need to use sound doctrine to do it. We shouldn't give out advice based on what we think, but on what the word of God has to say. We should come along-side others and say, "lets check out what the Bible says about that." No opinions; just good solid God stuff.

Then there is the whole refuting thing. Refute those who oppose sound doctrine by using sound doctrine. That sounds a little crazy, but it was exactly what Titus needed to do. Them people were teaching some pretty crazy stuff, and he had to put a stop to it. How do ya stop the wrong stuff? By using the right stuff. But lets take a look at the "Refute" thing. As I have studied this word, it doesn't seem to come across as a "beat em over the head with a big stick" kinda thing. The word in the Greek (elegcho) means to convict or find fault, with the idea that the person would be ashamed and correct the problem. We don't see any comment about kicking them out or a good ole fashion bannishing. Paul says (vrs. 13) "rebuke them sharply." Why? "So that they will be sound in the faith (healthy faith). When I made that correction in the Bible study class, I didn't beat them over the head with anything. I simply showed them what God's word says and then asked them to look at our discussion as it lines up with God's word. It ain't my opinion in the discussion that matters; it's God's opinion that can make the difference in our lives.

So we need to use sound doctrine to correct the wrong around us.

We need to use sound doctrine to guide ourselves and others.

And we need to use sound doctrine to hold on when it gets rough.

I've been doing alot of hay lately with my old John Deere square bailer, and I was having some trouble with my bales breaking when we load and unload. As I played around with the adjusters, I noticed that the more hay that I could pack in a bale; the more sturdy it became. I thought they were breaking because they were too tight, but the more I loosened them the worse it got. When I packed them full; we could throw them off the wagon and they would hold together just fine. I think that is true of our Spiritual lives. The more sound doctrine we can pack in there; the less chance we're gonna break. So I hope things are stackin up for ya!

Sound Doctrine? What's That?

Titus 1:9 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.

This one almost slid right by me. I mean "sound doctrine," everybody knows what that is. So when Paul said to encourage and refute by "sound doctrine," I didn't even pause. I kept on cruising until I hit verse 13 where it says,"...rebuke them sharply, so they will be sound in the faith." That got my attention and slowed me down a little, but it was full on brakes baby when I hit the beginning of chapter 2 and it said to teach in accord with sound doctrine. 3 times in that small amount of writing tells me that this is heavy on Paul's mind and probably more important than I thought. So what's the deal? What is sound doctrine?
Most of us would say that it is one's beliefs or the belief of a certain religion. Well that is close to right, but that is the definition of doctrine. So what does he mean when he says "sound." Greek Freak alert!!! Sound in Greek is hygiaino, which is where we get our word hygene. It means to be well or of good health. You could say that Paul means a "healthy Doctrine."
So here's the deal, the people of Crete have been given an unhealthy doctrine filled with Jewish myths. And yes, like a bad pill, they swallowed it. And just how did they get them to swallow bad meds? Yep, they put a little sugar in it. A little doctrine mixed with a batch of Jewish myth, and their you have it; a poisonous religion that feels good going down.
Speaking of bad meds, I was forced to do some research on the Wicca religion (forced because a teen I spoke with was in to that). The Wicca religion (which has a bunch of earth worshiping, live in harmony beliefs) is hard to nail down, because their "faith" varies with each believer. They basically say that if it feels good, and doesn't hurt anyone, then it's all good. So how do they draw people in to their "Religion"? They make them feel good.
The other day I heard on the radio (Christian radio) about a drug that is capable of giving off something like a spiritual high (I think from Christianity Today "The end of Christianity as we know it").
So what's the point? Well, let me find my soap box and get to preachin!! Too many churches are focused on creating some spiritual experience to make people feel good at church. Too many people judging churches based on how good they feel while they are there. And too many pastors who are more concerned about telling cute stories or funny jokes than they are about teaching any doctrine. What can we give to people that they can't get somewhere else. If we think we can compete on the "feel good" level; then we are just plain nuts. People will more quickly run to immediate happiness long before a commitment to long term joy. That is what the people of Crete were doing, and Titus was trying to make them feel good about avoiding those things. Just say no. Oh yeah, that makes you feel good!! Paul says that you've got to give them something, and not just doctrine, but healthy doctrine. I think we do church backwards. I think that praise and worship should come after the preaching of the word. If you look in scripture; you will find that people worshiped after God did something or after the word was read. David danced, but only after God brought the arc of the covenant back. Josiah tore his robe and worshiped after someone read the book of the law that Moses wrote. Now you know that wasn't "feel good" reading.
I like watching the T.V. show "House". I guess I like arrogant people. In that show the doctors are always following the symptoms to find out what is wrong. They don't try to treat the symptoms, but they treat the source. I remember one episode where the patient lost sight in one eye, which was like symptom number 7 of whatever was killing this person. One of the underling doctors wanted to run some test to try and save the eye, but House responds with, "Sure go ahead and save the eye. He'll be dead in 24 hours, but at least he will have two good eyes." House understands that the source is what causes the symptoms. The symptoms never cause the source. So why be preoccupied with the symptoms. Paul is telling Titus (and of course us) to stop focusing on the fact that people are following the wrong things or going in the wrong direction. Stop trying to make people feel good. "Teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Don't teach what they want to here; don't teach to the symptoms; teach what will heal them. Give them the meds no matter how bad they taste. We must learn how to be healthy! This ain't no "take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning."
If we are healthy at the core, then we can live healthy lives. But if the doctor (pastor) we are seeing is treating us for a skin rash instead of trying to save our lives; then we better see a different doctor. However, if the doctor is trying to give us some tuff meds because it is what we need to live sound (healthy) lives; then we should shut-up, take our meds and praise God for a man who cares enough to give us what we need.

Sound Doctrine: it does the body GOOD!!!!

You're the Man

Now, Titus was supposed to appoint elders. In 1st. Timothy 3:1 it says that anyone wanting to be an elder, "desires a noble task". So I guess we should all want to be one or at least be able to qualify to be one. I know that I don't like the idea of being involved with all the politics of church, but it is nice if someone thinks that I would qualify as one. Maybe I would turn it down, but it sure feels good to be asked. It's probably safe to say that we should all have these qualities listed for the elders.

I love how the list starts out with an easy one; "an elder must be blameless." Oh yeah, I can do that! Well, thank goodness that word doesn't mean perfect or spotless. It really means above reproach. It's not like they don't make mistakes; they just make it right, seek forgiveness, and try not to do it again. If someone continues in that same behavior; then they probably would not be blameless. Then he goes on to name some of those blameless things like: "not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain." Basically, not a Cretan. At least they can't act like one. That list reads like a resume for a Cretan.

Now, it would have been hard for the Cretans to change the behaviors that they have grown up with, and that they haven't really thought of as wrong. Talk about "everybody's doing it," that is really a fairly true statement here. So how do we fix that? How do we stop doing something that we are in a pattern of doing? What if I want to serve God so bad, but I just can't seem to change. I know that God loves me "just as I am" but how can I be better than I am to serve Him better?
Just like the Cretans, we have to change the way we think. We can't be thinking, "I've always done it like this" or "this is just the way I am." In Romans 12:2 it says, "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We have to change our brains; transform the way we think. It may have seemed okay before, but now we know better. Now we need to do better.
But how?? How do we stop doing what we have always done? It's near impossible to just quit. People don't just quit smoking. They use some gum or a patch. I remember my brother would chew on Popsicle sticks until they were nothing but splinters. The point is that you have to replace it with something. No, not Popsicle sticks, but that is why Paul gives us a different kinda list in verse 8. It says to be hospitable, one who loves what is good, self-controled, upright, holy, disciplined. The first part about the elders is the "to don't" list, but now he gives us the "to do" list. It's like a part 2 of the "above reproach" thing.
I'm not sure I buy into the theology of Thumper (if you can't say somethin nice; don't say nothin at all). That just leaves me angry and leaves the situation wide open for a repeat performance (that I will still want to say something not nice about, but probably a lot louder!!). I think a better saying would be, "If you can't say something nice; then say something else nice." Or, "Don't be hatin; be lovin." An elder has to be above reproach. It isn't enough to just "Don't," they have to "Do." We have to "Do."
Think about how Joseph handled his many oportunities to "not say something nice." I mean his brothers beat him up, threw him in a pit, and sold him as a slave. I can think of some choice words for that situation that would probably shed the hair right off of Thumper, But Joseph handles the "Don't" part by not saying something mean. He doesn't stop there however; he takes things "above reproach" by becoming the best slave ever. Then he gets falsely accused by Potipher's wife, and thrown in jail. Again he "Don't" say bad stuff and he "Do" become the best prisoner ever.

And then we have to consider what Jesus had to say about the whole Thumper issue. In Matt. 5 we find a phrase used over and over that says, "You have heard it said..." Then it lists some kind of "Don't." Don't Murder, don't say RACA, Don't Commit Adultery, Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth. Then he gives the "above reproach" stuff. Don't be angry, Don't say fool, Don't even look at a woman with lust, and if someone smacks you, offer the other cheek. If someone sues you for your coat, give him your shirt too. In verse 20 he tells us that, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees..." The Pharisees were usually on top of the whole live by the rules (follow the "Don'ts") thing. We should want better than that. We have to want better than that. They will know we are Christians by our love. Not love for a brother or love for a friend; how would that make us stand out? We are called to love our enemies!! That's over and above. That's how we should roll. That is Living "Above Reproach."

So what's the Point?

Why do you think Paul writes this letter to Titus? No, I'm not asking what was the purpose of the letter. I mean what caused Paul to write this letter. This isn't a casual hey how's it going kinda letter. Paul is pretty direct and to the point with his message, almost like he is responding to questions that someone asked. Well, here is my theory (and it's just my thoughts). I think Paul received a letter from Titus that contained a bunch of whining. "Paul, these people won't listen to me. I keep telling them the right thing to do, but they keep doing what the other people tell them to do. They lie and cheat and act like a bunch of Cretans." Well, I think it went something like that!

In verse 5 of Titus 1, Paul says that he left him there for a reason and that he already told him what to do. "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." (NIV) So Titus already knew what to do, but it was hard work, and he was getting discouraged. Boy I can relate to that! The work gets hard, with very little results, and I get discouraged too and that's when I throw myself a big ole pitty party. Streamers, balloons, the whole works. So I don't Blame Titus for feeling down, but Paul just says, "GET BACK TO WORK." Ya know, you never really see a lot of mercy come out of Paul.

So what is he supposed to do? "Straighten out what was left unfinished..." Or your version might say, "to set in order the things that are wanting..." That phrase "Straighten out" or "Set in order" (Another Greek Freak moment) comes from the Greek word EPIDIORTHOO. That is where we get our word orthodontist; which is someone who straightens teeth; or orthopedic, like a mattress, that helps to align or straighten your back. This is a medical term!! Why does he use a medical term to instruct Titus? I think it is because these people are broken and need to be fixed.

It's like they have a broken arm and Titus needs to set it.

It's gonna hurt and it's gonna take time, but if you don't straighten it out; then it will always be wanting, unfinished or just plain crooked.

Isn't that just like us? We want the healing, but not the pain.

His Season

So we have reached the second half of April and I have my garden half planted. The Spring rains have been slamming us, which means that about 2 more weeks of sunshine and I'll be making hay (literally). Three days ago, I started my tractor (John Deere of course) to get my hay equipment hooked-up, when I noticed it was not running right. It died on me and I couldn't get it re-started! Do you know how hard it is to get a tractor worked on 2 weeks before hay season? Not to mention how expensive!! I can't just tell the hay to wait. You know what they say, "You have to make hay while the sun shines."

In verse 3 of Titus It talks about a season. It says, "At His appointed season He brought His word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior." Have you ever reached out to someone for Christ and they just say "no thanks". I have. I remember sharing the love of Christ with one teen 6 different times. I felt like God was giving me the words and clear thoughts and that no one had ever done a better job than I did with this teen. So my heart was just pounding everytime I asked her, "Do you want to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour?" And she would politely say, "No thanks." AAAAHHH!!! What did I do wrong? What could I have done different? It must have been my fault somehow. But no! Paul tells us that His word comes to light at His appointed season. When God says it's time; It is time. Just like the fact that I don't get to decide when it is hay season, but I can be ready for it (Lord willing and the tractor gets fixed). I really struggled with the rejection I got from that Teen. To this day I carry her picture in my Bible.

God doesn't expect me to save anyone. He doesn't expect me to change anyone. The only thing "entrusted to me" (or expected of me) is the preaching. Titus wanted so bad to change these people, because he cared about them, but Paul lets him know that ain't his gig. Imagine how hard it was for him to constantly share with these people of Crete and to constantly see then messing up. But if we just do what God has given us to do and let Him do the rest; it always turns out better.

About 4 years after my last time of sharing with that teen someone told me that she married a pastor. God is Good and now that picture that I carry has a whole different meaning to me. After all Paul did tell Timothy to be ready (to share) in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2). I pray that all your equipment is ready when the Son does Shine. I don't know about you, but I'm going to work on my tractor!

Titus: Hope

"A faith and Knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life." So what is hope? We use that word all the time. "I hope it's sunny tomorrow." "I hope the kids behave." "I hope that someday I actually get caught-up on my blogging (5 blogs in and I'm only on day 2, argh!!)."

So how do we explain a word like hope? I like those kind of words; like faith and love. They are such tiny words, that everyone thinks they know how to explain, but we usually don't quite get it.

This word "hope" in the Bible can't be anything like the way we use it. We use it like a wish; or something we want to happen, but there is no real guarantee. In this passage it says that our faith and knowledge are resting on hope. That sounds like it has settled in, as if to say, "What a relief!" This is a hope that is solid not a guess or wish. One of the ladies in our class called it a foundation for action. I like that. The way we use "hope" is kind of a wait and see attitude, but the hope of the Bible has no waiting involved. It says we should go ahead and take action because we have a guarantee. That is exactly what these Cretans need; a real guarantee.

And look who is backing that guarantee; God himself. Did you see the description of God? It's a big duh! He is the God "who doesn't lie." Well it is a "duh" to us, but an important thing to mention to the Cretans (who lie all the time). Now he says that this God, who doesn't lie has promised. And this isn't an ordinary promise, and not just because God made it (and can back it up), but because it says He promised before the beginning of time. Sometimes we make promises in the heat of the moment; like we are trying to get someone to believe us. My kids say things like, "If you let me go play now; I promise to clean my room later." Or, "If you let it slide this time; I promise I'll never do it again." But God doesn't have any conditions on His promise. He made the promise way in advance of our situations. In Romans 5:8 it tells us that, "God demonstrated His love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God is always so far ahead of us. The Cretans (as well as the rest of us) are usually reactive type people. Our promises come more out of whatever situation we find ourselves in. God promised us (developed a contract) before we were born. He's not reacting to anything we did, good or bad, He simply says, " here is the contract (promise), just sign on the bottom line. And He does that in His "season." "At His appointed season He brought His word to light..."(Titus 1:3).

Speaking of seasons, Spring has finally come to our area. I really don't like Winter!! I have already suffered the 6-7 month Winters of the north for way too many years. Now that I live in a more southern climate, I think to myself, "why did I allow myself to suffer so long in the freezing cold, when all it took was a decision to move?" Are you stuck in the Winter of your life? Maybe it's time for Spring? All it takes is a decision to move. After all, the Bible does say that We are all Cretans and have fallen short of the Glory of God. And that God so loved all of us Cretans that He gave his only son, that if any Cretan would believe in the promise of God; then he would see Spring. Okay, so I doctored that up a bit, but what do you expect from a Cretan like me. But seriously, if you don't know how to get out of Winter; then write me a comment and I would be glad to help.

Until later, I'm enjoying 70 degrees, green grass, and my garden is half planted! God is Good!!!

Titus: Faith & Knowledge 2

In the Old Testament it says the same phrase several times," Then they will know, that I am God." And in Psalms we see," be still and know that I am God." We even sing that good ole kids song," Jesus Loves me this I know." But in this Titus passage it says,"...for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness."

So what is this knowledge? There are generally 2 main versions of the word knowledge that are used in the Bible and for you Greek Freaks they are Epignosis and Gnosis. The difference between the two is really easy to understand. It's like when a parent is lecturing a teen about their behavior and the teen replies with, "I know, I know!!"

And then Mom or Dad says, "If you know it; then why don't you do it!!" The Teen version, (I know, I know) is the Gnosis type of knowledge. But Mom and Dad want the Epignosis type of knowledge. We would probably call it wisdom. That is the "knowledge" (Epignosis)used in this verse. It is like taking your Gnosis (what you have learned) and putting it into practice. Well, it's a little more than that. It's more like the things we learn or believe become a part of who we are. That's why it says that it leads to godliness.

I remember talking to a teen years ago when I was working with some migrant workers who spoke only Spanish. She had 4 years of Spanish in high school; while I had only ten months in the school of "Como se dice" (how do you say this?). She knew more Spanish words than I did and she knew the proper way to use them, but when it came down to actually having a conversation with someone who spoke only Spanish; she couldn't do it. I, on-the-other-hand, could have a conversation (though I'm sure I sounded like a 3 yr old) and even picked-up the Spanish accent, and was able to help start a growing ministry to the migrant workers in Michigan. I didn't know a lot of Spanish, but what little I knew, I used.

We need to remember that Titus is dealing with people who don't trust anyone and have already "heard" several different versions of the truth. Paul is telling Titus (and us) that people need to see what you know and believe; not just hear it. I like to think of it like an acorn. Inside that acorn is an entire oak tree, but if it never comes out; how would anyone ever see it and believe. So, grow little acorn; grow!! (Boy that was a corny ending)

Titus: Faith & Knowledge?

Alright, so we're 2 blogs in and still in verse one of Titus. Yes that is par for course with me. That is why I titiled it Inch By Inch. You really need to have your Bible open for these Blogs unless you have Titus memorized.

So in verse 1 it says,"...For the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth..." I know, you think I will be starting with the word "faith", but then we would miss the words "for the". Now this may seem like nit picking (does that phrase actually come from picking nits when treating for lice? That's a real head scratcher!) but no, this is kind of important to help understand why he uses the rest of the phrase. "For the" is Kata in Greek, which translates a little closer to "according to". What's the dif? Well, Paul isn't writing for the purpose of, or the cause of the faith, but according to the faith. In other words, He is using faith as a measuring stick, and not just any ole stick, but ("of God's elect") the same stick used in the Old Testament. You see some of the churches were teaching things that were different than what Paul had taught and the people didn't know who to trust. So paul is saying don't believe anything that doesn't measure up to the standard God has set.

Well, I guess I sorta already explained "faith", but one more thing would be that in this case the word is used in the sense of what one believes or the standard of belief (and that isn't even a nutshell of the 4 week study that we did of that word). Imagine building a house with several other people; each with his own idea of how many inches are in a foot. That is not a house I would ever live in. Well, that is exactly what the people of Crete were living in. No wonder they didn't trust anyone. I think that is part of why people today don't trust the church. They hear so many different things; that they don't know who to believe. That's why Paul doesn't stop with just establishing a measuring stick, but also sticks some of that knowledge stuff in there to make it all stick. Did I use the word stick enough yet?

Titus: Meet Paul

So we ended the last blog with alot of "why" about the intro to Titus. Let's see if we can figure that out. Paul first says that he is a servant and an apostle. At first glance, we would say "Duh, of course he is a servant and apostle," and that is exactly what Titus would think (and maybe did at first)until he finished the letter. Yes, if you want, you can finish the letter (I'll wait). Now let's look at that word "servant" or "Doulos" (and that is a real Greek word). But this isn't just any ole servant; this is a bond servant. A bond servant was like a volunteer slave. He was so attached to his master, so happy to serve him, so overwhelmed with the care he received; that he didn't ever want to leave. He would bond himself permanently to his master and in return he got an earring.

I have always said that if I ever decide to get an earring; that I would do it like the bond servants did. They would go to the temple and put their ear against the door post while the priest would take an awl, yes an awl (a big pointy spike) and pound it through his ear. Now that's commitment! And a great deterrent for me to ever get an earring. So what's the point (ha, ha no pun intended)? Paul basically says that he is bonded to God. He is not acting on his own be-half, or for his own purpose or gain. He is saying that he has no personal agenda, but he does whatever his Master says, because he is just a servant.
Now lets look at that apostle thing. An apostle is a messenger, or one sent with orders. He says that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, and so the message comes from Jesus.
Again, so what? Well poor little Titus is dealing with the people of Crete (IE, Cretans). Have you ever used or heard that term? Before Paul came along, the Cretans were known for being "Liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons (1:12)." They actually took pride in it. Think about it. If you are a constant liar, and everyone you know is a liar; then why would you trust anything that anyone says?
Paul is simply saying, "Don't trust me, trust God." He sets that as an example for Titus on how to reach these people. I was speaking with a teen the other day who was causing problems in the youth group. He and I were hitting heads all evening when I pulled him aside to consider what may be bothering him (Okay, I really wanted to ring his neck). As I started talking to him (with veins popping out of my head) I said,"You know if I died tonight; you wouldn't even care, but I want you to know that I care about you." He responded with,"Why?" I said,"That's a good question. I guess it doesn't make sense, but I know that God cares about you, and I should too." Boy did that open some doors. You know people don't trust us, and they don't trust the church, but they still want someone to care about them. We need to realize that our actions as a servant should not be our own (when we want to ring their necks, maybe we should put a hand on their shoulder), and the messages that we bring are the words of Jesus Christ (not attacking someones actions because we view them as "evil brutes")
And lastly; if you are going to become a bond servant; be sure to give your awl!!

Titus: Introduction

The word Titus comes from the greek root "titunious" which is where we get words like titan, titanium, tide or tidal wave. These are all words of strength, which tells us that Titus is strong. Now before I loose any of you greek scholars out there; yes that was all a bunch of hooie!Yes I lied (I'll try not to do it again), but I did it to make a point. Titus is dealing with the people of crete who are notoriuos liers. His job is to get them to trust God, pastors, and even Titus himself.

The letter obviously comes from Paul, but check out that intro! This is one of the longest "Dear Titus" intros that Paul has written. So why? Why takes so long to say "Yo Titus, this is Paul."? Titus already knows Paul quite well. He has been traveling with him for some time now, so why describe yourself to someone who already knows you? Well, I believe that "God don't write no junk," so there is a good reason. It is not just long, but it is full of good stuff. It speaks of Paul as a servant and apostle; and of faith, knowledge, and hope; of God, eternal life, and seasons; and more, just to say Hello.

We'll look into that Huge Howdy next time.