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TITUS The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:7 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, The title of this section is "Qualifications of Elders." While I would have liked to be an Elder someday, somewhere, I wonder how I would do on the qualifications in this verse and the next two verses. e.g. Am I listening and following God's will in EVERY aspect of my life? Is He talking and am I listening and doing ALL that He asks? That requires a lot of soul-searching — and I need a closer walk with THEE — more so every day! (DRM 11/15/09) 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. This section on the qualifications of an elder in the church show me how far I have to go to qualify to that position. A Biblical elder seems to me to be a rare person indeed! Of all of the elders of churches that I've known, the only one that I can think of that would "exhort in sound doctrine . . . " is ~. May I grow to qualify to this position someday. (DRM 11/16/03) This is part of the duties of an elder in the Christian church. I can only think of the two or three churches that I have known really well, and some elders in those churches - and wonder how seriously the elders would be able to perform the duties contained in this verse. An elder must be a strong and totally committed Christian! (DRM 11/5/06) 1:10, 11 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. Here Paul is accusing the Jews (circumcision) of false teaching. Of course that occurs everywhere today. We all think only "my way is the right way." The reality really is that what the Bible teaches is truly the only way to go. Two people can read the same verse and have two opinions on what it says. Here, the Holy Spirit comes and leads us to the correct interpretation - and I try to stick with only the Bible as the true source book for my faith. (DRM 11/16/09) 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. Verses 15 and 16 clearly state the differences between believers and unbelievers. As a believer, I believe the Bible is the pure word of God. An unbeliever may accept some of the Bible, but not all. They think "human knowledge" cancels out some of His Word; but in fact, it proves it. (DRM 11/6/06) 1:16 (unbelievers) They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Certainly everything written above is correct and in the time that it was written, Paul rebuked unbelievers. Now in today's "civilized" society, we don't rebuke anyone, but just think these thoughts. There must be a middle ground, or we will only think unbelievers "know" they can be saved when they have never heard. (DRM 6/7/87) This is what God thinks of unbelievers. He knows people by their hearts and thoughts, rather than their outward actions and appearance. God also gives some people discernment to see what He sees and to avoid people who don't truly know Him. I thank the Lord for this gift, and hope that it will teach me who I should trust in and who just appear to be Christians on the outside. (DRM 11/17/03) 2:1, 2 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. The words that I (we) say are to be based on
our (my) understanding of the Scriptures. My life is to be run only on those
principles and the words are to bring glory to Him alone. 2:7, 8 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. While this is directed to "young men" [verse 6], I think it should be directed to all believers. I think I qualify because I am 17½ years a Christian! Sometimes it's hard to keep silent when disagreeing with someone, but that stops any arguments! Lord, may I be pure in the eyes of this world, to bring others to Christ. (DRM 11/18/03) While these two verses are directed to young men (v. 6), I think they should apply to all of us. I want people to see that I am a Christian and by doing all of these things, I would be setting myself apart from the way of the world. Still, I'd only be considered a "good person" if I don't show/refer/speak of my faith in Jesus. (DRM 11/7/06) 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, . . . This is the beginning of a four verse
sentence. In this verse we are reminded that Jesus came to give us God's grace -
which was done through His death to cover our sins. Without Jesus' death, we
would have no hope for eternity. This gift has to be accepted before we can be a
part of His family. 2:12 . . . instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to love sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age. I was a collector and accumulator for at least 40 years. It was a worldly desire to have more and more. Finally, after reading the Bible enough times, I have felt that less is better. I can't take all the stuff to Heaven - only my soul - and as many other souls as possible. I pray that people will see my love for Him during this liquidation phase and that He will prepare me for more service to Jesus. (DRM 11/19/03) 3:1 REMIND them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, This verse makes me think of yesterday's election. No matter who I voted for, my Christian duty is to be under the authority of the ruler in power. God wants us to be law-abiding citizens, but also to serve Him with our good deeds to others. (DRM 11/8/06) 3:2 . . . to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. This really should be connected with the
first verse. 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. "We also once" refers to our life before
being born-again. I'm trying to think of how many of these things I did before
that day in 1986 and how these attitudes and actions have since gone away. 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, . . . This is the first part of a four verse
complex sentence. It really belongs with (at least) verse five. 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, How did I get here in spiritual terms? Did I do a spiritual thing to get His attention? NO. Why did He choose to save me? Why did He chose to use me? It seems that my only truly spiritual friend is Jesus! I don't even know if anyone else prays for me. I am dependent totally on Him for everything! Lord, use me and direct me in Your paths. (DRM 11/20/03) 3:6 . . . whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, This verse is in the middle of a three verse
sentence. It makes little sense by itself. This is an example of knowing the
context. 3:7 . . . so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Jesus saved us by His grace. We (I) can't earn salvation. All of the works in the world (feeding the hungry, tutoring needy students, etc.) will not grant you the salvation that only comes from faith in Christ. Good works are things we want to do as an expression of our love for Jesus; but not as a way to earn salvation. (DRM 11/19/09) 3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. When I say that I have trusted God for
everything, I must mean that, and not go and do my own will. 3:9 But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. How to waste time - talking about differences in interpretation of the Law. The most important thing to me is eternal salvation. Discussions about side topics is counter-productive. It seems to me that Satan is pleased when we get diverted on minor things - as then we aren't working on evangelism and discipleship. (DRM 11/9/06) 3:10, 11 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. While I don't know any currently, there are
people who delight in causing conflicts, divisions and factions in churches. It
seems like Satan sends these people to a successful church for the sole
purpose of stopping the message of Christ in the community. |