Do all for God’s glory is a simple but elusive command from Paul the Apostle’s writing. It is important to note that to realize even something menial is important to God and our Christian walk.
As we look at Titus’ ministry, we see a parallel between Crete and our society today.
The transformation of our nation in a few short years has been dramatic. Since the early 70’s our schools and universities have moved us from a Christian-based nation, to secularism and headed literally to a socialist way of thinking.
The Church has undergone some theological changes that have caused worldly ideas to erase God’s sovereignty and made the churches man centered. We need a Titus today more than ever.
Paul leaves Titus and a small group of others in Crete with a specific mission. Titus is a young man that was not mentioned in Paul’s journeys in the book of Acts yet he is one of his closest associates. His trust in him never wavered.
Paul asked Titus to set the Church in Crete in order. During this time of the early Church, many converts were trying to hold on to many of the Jewish tenants. This promoted a “salvation by works” thought process. In reality conversion to Christ was only possible through God’s gift of his Son on the cross.
Chapter one defines roadblocks that must be overcome. There were organizational issues, however false teaching must be dealt with. Paul used three words to deal with it: silenced, rebuked and corrected.
Reading chapter two we discover everyone has a role to play in building and maintaining the local church. For a church to be successful it must be built on solid Biblical foundations.
The family unit is not talked about a lot anymore. There is a harmless yet dangerous teaching platform that encourages our children to think for themselves and build a set of beliefs to live by that satisfy them. It’s okay because everyone has their own opinion.
I know this column may raise a few eyebrows, but it doesn’t change the fact that everything we do especially as a Christian is and will be measured by God and compared to his word.
No I am not talking about every church, but we have come to a place where we are lacking in our desire to see God’s work done.
When I was young we went to a small church here in town. The pastor was preparing to retire, but he wanted to see one more move of the Spirit. Several families were added to the church and we even brought children in that weren’t provided an opportunity to be in Sunday School. It raised a huge resistance from some of the congregation. We didn’t need that “element” in the church.
Funny thing was as the kids went home and talked to their parents, it caused them to come as well. This was one of the few times I saw a church family grow. Attendance went from 30 to high 90s, it showed what can happen if God is allowed to move.
It is easy to become comfortable in our salvation and our walk with God. The world slips in and we become a burden instead of an asset to the Cross. The Church has had many faces, but the Word of God promises us that there will be a remnant that is faithful.
Spend time in the Word and make time to be alone with God in prayer.
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