Scripture Text: Titus 1:10-16
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.
Titus 1:15
There are tasks in every association or group of people, and as the corporate world says, each job description and every job or task has an equivalent responsibility and qualifications that need to be met to be entrusted with these.
The good work of Christ is given to people whom He has created for His good work, and we would need to examine the life of the people inside the church, not for us to judge them if they are saved, but if they are able and trustworthy to be part of the eldership.
Apostle Paul now shared why these qualifications need to be met by Christians, not just because they wanted a position in the church, but rather, they were transformed by our Lord Jesus Christ. He differentiates them from these people whom he addressed and warned us from—people who are disobedient and are liars.
In this passage, Apostle Paul mainly warned us of a specific type of 'Christian', those who claim that the Gospel consists of Jesus, and something else.
In the early verses, it is emphasized that there were people who were rebellious from the side of the Jewish converts which is causing issues because they are trying to teach the traditions of the Jews for self-gain which is not emphasizing the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel.
We do not add human beliefs/philosophies as part of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is additional baggage to the believers which is unnecessary to their spiritual journey with Christ. We make sure that our mind is only transformed and renewed through the wisdom of God through His word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now, we see why a standard was there to keep for the people of God. We can see that even during these times, there were believers who are alienated by the worldly beliefs and practices that affects the people around them. By choosing the right elders, the flock is guarded against these impure teachings and human-made yoke.
The false teachers are disobedient, detestable, and unfit for good work since they are teaching ways of man rather than ways of God. They are teaching that the way to God is good works and not Jesus Christ, which is dangerous.
It is also a reminder for us to weigh everything we hear if it is according to the word of God or if it is going outside the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Anything that states that we need something else apart from Jesus Christ for salvation is considered as false teaching.
Reflect
1. Do we weigh and evaluate all the things that we hear and carefully listen to it to learn more about Jesus Christ?
2. Are we sober enough to see and hear the false teachings, so we can rebuke it, so Christians can realign to the will of God?
Remember
Test every teaching if it is the will of God. As the word says, if it does not focus and acknowledge that Jesus Christ came from God, it is already alarming.
Read
Acts 20:28-30; 2 Peter 3:14-18; 1 John 4:1-6
Pray
Merciful Father, I bow and beg for Your wisdom and enlightenment for me to discern what is Yours and what is not. Let my heart be covered with Your words, so my spiritual eyes will see and determine what is good and acceptable and perfect in Your eyes. I seek this for the glory of Your Son alone. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
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