“This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:13 – 16
Titus was a young Minister like Timothy was. Both men were young, and burdens were cast on them both because Paul entrusted much to them. Titus was left on the Island called Crete to do a very hard job, to basically fix the broken churches there. The churches needed qualified leaders, and most of the churches needed qualified Pastors and qualified shepherding. It is sad when Christians are led by people who are not qualified to severe the office, especially in teaching. As Christians and churches, we all walk a fine line that we balance ourselves on. Biblical Truth is the bible, it is not what you define the truth to be, it is what God says it is without respect to your opinion or conviction. Paul wrote, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:11 We are all commanded to study to show ourselves approved to God; this is a lifetime work. None of us are infallible we all are wrong about something, and we need to keep searching God’s word until we find the absolute truth. Our fine line is between truth and false teaching, because there is only one truth, bible truth. Sometimes Christians and even churches fall into fables or false teachings because they stumble on that fine line. Therefore, you need the very best, biblical sound Pastor that you can find, because as goes the Pastor the church will soon follow. The Pastor and the entire leadership are the human power of the church, they are the ones that will decide what is good and not good, what is right and what is wrong. This is the reason churches need to choose only qualified men to fill these positions. The churches on the island of Crete had some big issues because the leadership, mostly Pastors and qualified leaders were not chosen, So, Paul had been with Titus on Crete and had left him there to correct the things that were wrong. That’s a very tall order for a young minister, but Paul trusted his young preacher and mostly trust the Holy Spirit to help him. Paul told young Titus the reason for his being there in verse 5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” This means qualified and trusted men dedicated to serving God, Jesus Christ, God’s word, and the church. Paul then gives the qualifications for these men which are many, because they must be true and honest men that can be trusted to under-shepherd and oversee the Lords church. Then Paul declares the issues in these churches, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:” Titus was also to “Silence False Teachers” because they want to destroy any and all biblical truth. No church needs a false teacher in them, one false teacher can destroy a church, because they are powered by Satan. Wherever God sows the truth, Satan quickly shows up to sow lies, though these false teachers. Paul said, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers…” and their main topic of false teaching “…specially they of the circumcision” Which is a work, Abraham is our greatest example “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” Romans 4:12 Abraham was not circumcised until he was 99-year-old, long after he was saved. We know that it is not required because God said it was not, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas…” Acts 15:1 – 2a Today you can substitute works of the word circumcision they teach works for salvation and declare unless you live good you cannot be saved, but God once again declared that false teaching. “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:9 Folks, the truth is anything you do to be saved is a work, choices, decisions, prayers, turning over a new leaf, baptism, joining a certain church, etc. etc. etc. God saves sinners through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirt, man has nothing to do to be saved and anyone who teaches different is a false teacher. Beloved, lets hold our churches up in standards, that starts with a Pastor that believes the truth. Let us all Hold fast the faithful word of God.
