Leadership is based on quality not popularity

Scripture Read: Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

 

Application:  Notice the order here and at the same time the coverage of an elder’s life. V. 6 is the conditional qualifier (6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.) – it either is or it is not – so if he is not in this condition then he should not even be in the running. V. 7-8  (7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,) are the character issues that will fluctuate because we are all human. Having said that, there should be a consistency in the life that not one of these character issues are a constant abiding standout in the wrong direction. i.e. – he might show wrong temper sometimes but that would not be the norm or he might not be hospitable occasionally but again that is not his reputation. V.9 (9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching) is the only direct ministry issue here – not what kind of teacher he is; i.e. “Dynamic” Humorous” “Intellectual” etc., but the content of what he teaches. This is a great reminder for anyone that desires to be used by You oh Lord. We need to guard our life so we do not place ourselves off the table of service, we need to proactively continue to allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in us so our character never gravitates to a sinful lifestyle and we have got to be committed to pure Biblical doctrine no matter the world’s desires or standards. By Your grace all can do their best to yield to You and then see You work in their lives!

* Meditation Questions: What kind of sinful patterns do you see in your life? If your not an elder do you think this list does not apply to you? What does that say? What do you think your reputation is with others? Are you willing to go to several people you know well and ask them? What does that say?

What are we really here for?

Scripture Read: Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Application: Paul begins his greeting as he often does – making clear Who owns him and Who sent him – something we need to keep before us at all times. Notice the “for” – this gives reason to who Paul is and why he does what he does. His ministry is for others faith – build them up – encourage them – be an example to them. Here is something that should catch our eye – how many times do we focus on running the race right so we will feel good about ourselves.  This is very normal – but if we put it on the level Paul does – we need to remember that the race we run should also to be an example to all that know us. This raises the bar in a good way. Notice also the other reason that Paul was called was for the knowledge of the Truth. I am convinced the reason God made it clear to Paul that he needed to “know” the truth was to protect it and keep it pure. Without correct Doctrine we cannot know what God wants or expects. We will come up with our own way of salvation and teach it, which in turn will doom many to a wrong path. I am saddened that too many get into fights about things that are really left to conviction – liberty areas – but I am just as concerned about the complacency of many leaders that do not draw the line when we get to clear Biblical teaching on an issue. The Word is black and white about so much – especially Who God is, Christ is, the Holy Spirit is, how to be saved. It names many sins, as sins, not options or a matter of opinion. Yet, because it is not Politically Correct many refuse to take a stand. We must be committed to the protection of the Scriptures and it’s message. That is why God called us! He did not call us to get our names on a book, a building or a ministry – as we follow Him He may bring that to pass, but we are here to encourage the faith of the Body and to guard the doctrine that was entrusted to us.

* Meditation Questions: What do you see as the call God gave you? What are you doing to fulfill that? Where do you get your understanding of who God is, how to be saved and what is sin? What is your final authority for truth? How does experience fit in there? How does culture fit in there? 

The way of the world should not be our way

Scripture Read: Jude 3-4 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Application: This is a word that is not used much today, but the meaning is very appropriate for the atmosphere of this world today.  We do not like to hear this, because we want to believe what is best in mankind – but we must face reality. We also need to be careful about going too far the other way and thinking that these days are so much more evil than past days. They may be outwardly, but remember this scripture was written 2000 years ago. Evil has been present since the garden.  Consider this word -

Licentiousness - ἀσέλγεια asélgeia - licentious, brutal. Lasciviousness, license, debauchery, sexual excess, absence of restraint, insatiable desire for pleasure; arrogance, insolence referring to words; wantonness, lustfulness, excessive pleasure; debauchery, perversion in general ^[1]

 In his work on Jude Wuest states concerning this word - “Lasciviousness” is aselgeia (ἀσελγεια). The aselgeia (ἀσελγεια) person is he who in the words of Trench “acknowledges no restraints, who dares whatever his caprice and wanton petulance may suggest.” The word “wantonness” best translates it. The meaning of the word partakes of the spirit of anarchy. That is the spirit of Modernism which refuses to acknowledge the authority of God’s Word, and itself sits in judgment upon it. ^[2]

Man necessarily falls victim to this when cut off from God. It characterizes Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pt. 2:7) and the pagan world generally (Eph. 4:19), also heresy and apostasy (Jd. 4; 2 Pt. 2:2, 18).^[3]

It is so easy to look at the “world” and think how this word applies, but what about us? Could not his be used to describe some of the out of control fleshiness in the Body of Christ today? This is an appropriate word to describe liberty and grace taken over by the flesh instead of controlled by the Spirit – How many believers justify their uncontrolled liberty – even though it is offending and damaging their brothers & sisters. How many in the Body of Christ allow their flesh to rule their desires and treat God as though He is there to supply everything they desire. This is the root of evil to the health, wealth and prosperity movement. Everything is based on the excesses of the flesh – God is not God – He is your personal genie – here to give you whatever you want. How tragic! Yes, the world is full of “wantonness” that should not surprise us we all were controlled by sin before we were regenerated by the Spirit of God. What should take us back – and in my opinion is directly responsible for the impotence of today’s church, is how we in the Body of Christ have been sucked into this way of thinking. We may be children of the King – but now is not the time to live like it! The foundation of the Church was the blood and tears the slaves of Christ gave to help the lost know their Savior. It has never been the love of money, things and fame! Those are the trappings of this world. All that You are Father – all that You desire to be in our lives, yet we replace it with stuff that will never satisfy the heart and will burn. Lord keep our feet far from this path. We also need You to review our liberties and be honest. Thanks God!

* Meditation Questions: What do you feel when you don’t get the things you asked God for? Is it wrong to have things, to be rich or to be famous? What is the balance? What is the danger? If we crave the same things the world craves what do they see that is different? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (Jud 4). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

^[3] Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

An invitation that requires an answer and a stand

Scripture Read: Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Application: Jude really makes me think through three items here.

By using the adjective of Kaleo he is really emphasizing the invitation of God to us -  

Called = κλητός klētós  placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis. It is an adjective used to describe those who were called in the sense of being invited, for instance, to a banquet.

No big revelation here but what I like about this is how again we see Sovereignty and Free Will at play – God does the inviting – but with an invitation comes a choice! I find no where in scripture that this offer is not valid. We have a real choice to make, we do not choose because we are better, but if God enabled each person the faith needed to respond yet left that decision to the individual than there really is a choice. Jude also expresses the truth that the Holy Spirit is active in us as children of God, notice –

Necessity = ἀνάγκη anágkē - Necessity, compelling force, as opposed to willingness 

What Jude is describing is that drive we all feel when the Spirit moves us,  we can still resist, but the issue is that God really wants to partner with us. He could just make us do something, but instead through the Spirit we sense a great push to do something, a “necessity”. Lastly Jude encourages us not to be passive about our faith –

Contend = ἐπαγωνίζομαι epagōnízomai - from epí for, and agōnízomai to strive, contend earnestly. To fight for or in reference to something, with the dat. of that which gives the occasion (Jude 1:3). ^[1]  –

We need to make sure that we are fighting the flesh & the enemy for our faith, not each other!! Notice also – the Faith has been handed down – Once for All! Our beliefs do not change with time or culture – I am speaking of Dogma – not liberties. We need to understand that the basics of salvation and Who God is have been revealed and remain as they were revealed. Modern day prophets cannot change this and we need to stand against that. “Trying to get along” just makes the road to hell wider! The essentials of Who Christ is and how to be saved cannot be changed for the sake of so called “love”. Real love stands on truth, it does not try and manipulate it or change it

* Meditation Questions: What has God asked you to do? Have you realized how free you are? Do you understand that freedom comes with responsibility? What do you do when you feel you should do something, but that feeling did not come from you? Do you know where you will draw a line for your faith?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

Don’t sell God short

Scripture Read: 1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

Application:  It has always amazed me the way we humans can understand that when we are biological parents, no matter what our children do, they are always are children, even if we hate what they have become. Yet we do not afford the Lord that same kind of integrity – some in the Body of Christ not only believe but teach that God will deny a child of His that was redeemed by His Son. Jude reaffirms the commitment that God has made to the covenant He made with His Son.

         The word here for “kept” is clear and unmistakable - τηρέω tēreō - a warden, guard. To keep an eye on, watch, and hence to guard, keep, keep the eyes fixed upon^[1]

         God is guarding us, watching over us, keeping us – notice for what – for His Son – we are the possession that belongs to Jesus – how much more does this emphasis our security in Christ – The God of all creation is guarding and securing you and me for His Son. How can we even run away from that? How sad those that teach loss of salvation do not realize how impotent they make our God to be. How can we escape from a warden that is God? Again, we can play on this and live in sin knowing we are safe – but if we are honest the other side of salvation must be dealt with – if we live as an unbeliever what gives us the peace and confidence to think that we are one.  Our heart?  No it is desperately wicked and can even deceive itself. So once again we must face that it is wrong to make the Lord appear weak and unable to hold that which He has grasped – us! Either we are saved – guarded and kept by Him forever – no matter.  Or we have deceived ourselves and never were in the family of God. How much better it is to understand this truth of our God and instead of playing on it – be crushed with thanksgiving and humbled by it? Oh my Lord, why You would watch over us and keep us for Your Son, we do not know – but what we do know is that You are committed to that and we will revel in Your great love – and as we thrill in Your care it makes us desire all the more to live close to You and it is there that we sense that security that is from You alone. We sleep in peace because no matter what happens, we are destined to be with You and Your Son.

* Meditation Questions: What is the difference between being saved and feeling saved? If you were a parent your child has your blood – what can change that? Are we connected to God by our works or by the blood of Jesus? What does it mean we are adopted, joint heirs, partakers  of the divine nature?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

Truth versus religion

Scripture Read: Galatians 1:11–24 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.

Application: What is the difference between Christianity and Churchianity? One is from God, the other is from man. How sad this reality is! When we attempt to set ourselves apart one of the outcomes is that we pursue the traditions of our culture more then the Truth of God – this is exactly what religions do. Sadder still are the religions of Christendom – for they have the Truth – the others have their sacred writings but they are from man to start with. “Churchianity” has the Truth of Christianity but they then take away, add or twist to fit their traditions and the Truth is made impotent. The Word itself remains omnipotent but the mess religion makes of it – by the time it gets to the people – it cannot create the change that only the Word of God can do through the power of the Holy Spirit. No wonder so many of these religions come up with there own “sacred” books – they must keep people away from the Word – for when they read or hear it the Holy Spirit can use it to attack that old heart and open it for God. How important is it then that we – who handle and teach the Word – be completely committed to teaching all that it is. So many today use it for there own purpose – especially to sell books.  Many stay just close enough to look good – but if we are true stewards we will see that they conveniently added or left something out – because it would not help sell their product. Lord we must allow You to convict us to always share the Word and the Word only as absolute Truth – all the rest is just opinion – right or wrong – it is only man’s tradition. Thank you for Your Word Lord. 

* Meditation Questions: What do you do when you are confronted by something in the Word that you don’t like? What do you do when you find a truth in the Word that contradicts something in the way you were brought up? How do you balance tradition vs. the Word of God? What does that show you?