Week of 9/12/21 - Pages 243 - 255

I recently had the privilege of spending time with a 74 year-old man who was facing the end of his life. He spent much of our time together reflecting back on his life—both the pain and suffering he had experienced as well as the pain and suffering he had caused. His mom died when he was just a toddler and his dad abandoned him to start a new family. His grandparents raised him and made many sacrifices to give him a good life even leaving their home to bring him to America. As an adult, he struggled to forgive his father, but he also struggled to forgive himself for the many mistakes he made along the way. He tried to make amends in his later years for the harm he caused, but there were some who weren’t quite ready to let things go. Now as he faced the end of his life, the thoughts that consumed his heart and mind had to do with where he stood with God. Did God forgive him for his many sins? Was God angry with him or disappointed? Would he spend eternity with God in heaven? These conversations allowed me with the help of the Holy Spirit to share with him the good news of the gospel. I read to him Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” and Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” In his final days, I believe that these truths brought him peace, hope and the assurance that He would be with Jesus in eternity. As I read through this week’s passage from Titus, I couldn’t help thinking of this man who so greatly impacted my life. Like the apostle Paul, he could testify that he had been foolish, disobedient and that his life had been full of evil. But even greater than what he had done was what God had done for him and that made all the difference in the end. If you are struggling to understand who God is, how He views you and how He deals with the sin in your life, my friend who is now face-to-face with Jesus would share with you these words from the apostle Paul:

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”  

Titus Chapter 3

Have you ever said or done something only to regret it later? I remember when I was 11 or 12, riding the bus to the mall. Excited to meet my friend so we can shop for new clothes and grab a bite to eat. As I was sitting on the bus, minding my own business, I noticed an elderly lady staring at me. When our eyes met, she asked me, “hablas espanol” (do you speak Spanish)? I was stunned that she was even talking to me. That I answered her quickly, with a flat out “NO”. To this day I have no idea why I said no. I knew in my heart that I should have said yes, or just spoke to her in Spanish. I remember thinking to myself, just say something. Instead I just sat there, in silence, looking out the window. I must admit I regretted my actions because I knew in my heart I should have said yes. Who knows maybe she needed help or just wanted someone to talk with. Instead I didn’t want to be bothered. I was thinking about me. I knew better and I should have done the right thing. To this day, if I sense someone speaks Spanish, I will automatically speak Spanish and am willing to help.  

This chapter was a hard one for me, perhaps because it seems so simple. Paul’s message to us as followers of Christ is clear, we are to help guide and remind other believers of what is right and how we should act in the world. I believe Paul is asking us to be like Jesus in the world, to allow Christ who lives in our hearts to shine through us. We are not of the this world, rather we live in the world to be an example to the non believer. The bible tells us we are to shed our old ways and through His sovereign grace we put on a new heart, have new truth, making us a different person. Paul is intentional and direct in what we are to do. We are to be humble and kind. Verses 3, 4 & 5 speak volumes to me, “3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” 

The world tells us that its all about me. That I should feel good, I’m number one. The fast track is the way to go. A bigger, house, a better job and more money are the status we need and want. What is on the outside is what matters, but is it? In other words, we are constantly being bombarded with false messages that promise satisfaction with pleasures far from God. Satan is crafty that way. When in truth it’s our humility, gentleness that matter. It’s remembering that I am far from perfect and that I am a sinner who by God’s grace that I have been saved through Jesus. This chapter is our reminder that we who are followers of Christ, have rules to follow, its not what we do that is right, rather its like verse 7 says, “Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 

Titus Chapter 2

Following Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment, he and Titus worked briefly together in Crete, after which he commissioned Titus to remain there as his representative and complete some needed work.  Crete at the time had sunk to a deplorable moral level.  The dishonesty, gluttony and laziness of its inhabitants were epic.  Paul’s letter to Titus was to give him authorization and guidance in meeting opposition, instructions about faith and conduct, and warnings about false teachers.  

In chapter 2 Paul instructs Titus what must be taught to the various groups.

To older men he should teach that they should be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and endurance.

To older women he should teach them to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  So they in turn can train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands.

To younger men he should encourage them to be self-controlled, and set a good example by doing what is good.

To slaves he should teach them to be subject to their masters in everything, try to please them, not talk back and steal, but show that they can be fully trusted.

He finishes the chapter with verse 15.  “These, then, are the things you should teach.  Encourage and rebuke with all authority.  Do not let anyone despise you.”  Sometimes easier said than done.

Be Blessed!

Titus Chapter 1

Reading Titus 1 in my Bible, the first bold headline is “Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good.” So I stopped and looked up our elders on our website just to be sure I wasn’t overlooking any in my mind. And I can say I know, love, and trust each and every one of them! And they do love what is good! They don’t take shortcuts or do what is easy or seek man’s approval. They seek after God and His good and perfect will. The interactions I have with them are sweet and caring. And I am so grateful!

Sadly, it is not always that way in the church. I’m part of a Facebook youth pastors’ group and the things I read are discouraging at times with the lack of support other staff people receive in their churches. Making it a hard and lonely walk in ministry. 

But if you are part of Church of the Chimes, be encouraged! Our elders hold fast to verses 5–9! And they do operate as the managers of God’s household and know they answer to Him. We are blessed!