We act out what we believe!

Titus is a short letter from Paul to another young pastor, yet it is a favorite of mine, mostly because of Paul’s instructions of what Titus should teach to ‘older women’ — me. While many women would categorize those instructions as cultural and not for today, I’m not so sure. My reason is that the theme for the whole book is ‘sound doctrine’ which means ‘correct or healthy’ teaching. If some parts are not for everyone, how can that distinction be made? Does ‘sound doctrine’ allow me to pick and choose what is correct for me?

Anyway, as Paul writes about the qualifications for church leaders and for Titus, he has this to say about ‘sound’ teaching . . .

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)

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine . . . Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (Titus 2:1, 7-8)

I’m strong in the idea that we behave according to what we believe. If I believe my house is on fire, I will get out of it. If I believe my child is deathly ill, I will prayerfully seek medical help. If I believe the salesman at the door is telling me lies, I will not listen to him.

This principle is biblical vital. Proper understanding of ‘sound doctrine’ should eventuate in a changed life, and in the production of good deeds. Paul wrote several verses in Titus that support this. In speaking about defiled and impure people, he says, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16) Knowing God changes lives!

He says to Titus to remember this principle for himself and teach it to others:

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. (Titus 2:7)

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, 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 all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11–15)

Titus is strongly urged to tell Christians to live according to biblical teachings, proving their faith . . .

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Titus 3:1)

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8)

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

Lest anyone get the wrong idea about the relationship between faith and good works, Paul reiterates the biblical teaching that contradicts the very human idea that doing good will earn us salvation. He repeats that good works are not the basis of salvation, but the evidence of it . . .

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4–5)

He adds that this is a trustworthy statement and wants Titus to “insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8)

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Lord Jesus, this is another reason I like this letter to a pastor; it is so practical. When I discovered Titus 2:1-5, I could see the value, first that my own life followed what older women are supposed to teach. As I put these principles into practice, You immensely bless my life.  Second, this obedience is promised to produce another amazing result — that the Word of God is not reviled. I cannot make that happen all by myself, but this gives me even more incentive to do what You say and make my faith practical!

Today’s thankful list . . .

Truth works!

God’s Word makes sense.

Watching football with my hubby.

Grilled steak and garlic toast.

Glory to me? Really?

Sorrow easily overwhelms me when I ponder my unworthiness. This is futile because unworthiness is another mark of genuine Christianity. Thinking I can earn or deserve the blessings of God is a lie and marks lack of faith. Faith is expressed in trusting Jesus alone, not in anything I could do or have done.

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4–7)

Any good things I may have done before I was saved, and any works of righteousness since then do not count. He saved me ‘according to His own mercy’ and He did it by giving me new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. My efforts are not part of the saving process. They do not necessarily mark me as a saved person either. Those who do not believe in Jesus can be kinder, more thoughtful, more generous and better behaved than I am. My salvation is not about how I measure on the scale of goodness or godliness, but about the grace of God.

Tozer says too many people read and study the Bible as a piece of literature or a textbook. I’ve read it as an owner’s manual, a book that tells me how I should live more than I’ve read it as the story of God’s love and grace and the revelation of Jesus Christ. I’ve made it a book about how to live more than a book about how He gives life. By doing this, my testimony is more about the way God has changed me than it is about how God is — for everyone He loves.

Making Scripture personal and practical is a good thing, but like anything else this can go to such extremes. Instead of glorifying God, it gives me reasons to pat myself on the back or bemoan the sense of feeling like there is no way to measure up to His high standards. What then is the purpose of reading the Bible? Besides being God’s way of producing faith as He reveals that truth to sinners, it is about teaching me how to think, about renewing my mind so that I live rightly. It puts my hope in the right place and gives me reason to endure through the tough times of life:

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

It helps me teach truth to others and rebuke those who have a contrary version:

“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)

It equips me to do good by dealing with my own sin and learning obedience:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

And it also tells me the reason for these things . . . not for my own glory so I can boast but . . .

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

Jesus, I know You desire a godly life, but that happens best when You are glorified and honored above all. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

No hierarchy in the kingdom of God

Are pastors held to a higher standard than those who sit in the pews? As teachers of sound doctrine and for wisdom in leadership they are to stand tall:

“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)

That said, we once were members of a church in California that a writer of an article in a Christian magazine called “the church with 700 pastors.” By the time we attended, the membership was larger but the teaching was the same. The senior pastor held firmly to the following passage, particularly the part I’ve italicized:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’  . . . . And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:1–16)

This passage reinforces the importance of pastors, yet clearly indicates that the rest of us in the Body of Christ are just as important. We must all do our part for the entire congregation to grow and grow up. We also must speak sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it. We are also priests because we have a responsibility to pray and care for, teach and help one another grow and become more like Jesus.

That church and many others call this doctrine ‘the priesthood of all believers’ and believing it sets a high value on every person who attends. It also plays a part in helping church members live the way God’s Word describes. We need one another and God gifts us to fill those various needs.

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Jesus, while each Christian has different gifts, different roles, different energies, and even different ways of looking at things, we realize that by following Your word, we are stronger in our faith and practice and more mature because of it. Reinforce this to my heart. May I be a better servant, but also a better learner.

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Note: we are on vacation for the next couple of weeks in a place where the Internet is not completely reliable. I will have devotions each day, and write my thoughts. Whether they get posted that day or not is anyone’s guess!

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