Sunday, April 9, 2006

Titus - Final thoughts

Final thoughts

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

A faithful saying:

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Faithful to maintain good works:

1 Tim 5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
1 Tim 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1 Tim 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1 Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

No honest question is foolish. Foolishness is of a foolish heart seeking with guile to mock the word of truth or to promote their own ideas. Jesus was given foolish question, to trick him so that he might be accused by the religious leaders. Religious people often are proud and argumentative.

1 Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Avoid contentions, and strivings about the law, they are unprofitable and vain.

We see these in our Christian Internet chats, proud men striving over the law and foolish things. It is of the flesh.

1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Contending for the faith, is of God's Spirit. We are to build and edify one another in a meek and gentle spirit.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

2 Cor 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2 Cor 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
2 Cor 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

A heretic: a "heretical person" is one who follows his own self-willed "questions," and who is to be avoided. Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God.

My truth, your truth, but what of God's truth in the Bible?

Some come to speak heresies and do not respect order or established authority. Warn them once, twice and the third time reject them, remove them so they do not lead the weak in their ungodly way.

2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Pet 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Pet 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Subverting: overthrowing, as in an invading army plundering and looting, but of the soul, they steal truth and give you their message as satan has plundered the truth from them. They are speaking their own condemnation, do not follow them.

One warning here: Some find things they do not agree with in other ministers. Some make websites listing every major Christian minister as "heretics." This is mostly gossip, seeking to find fault with another, Be sure to not accuse one another over minor differences. A heretic is not speaking the truth of God, perhaps in part, but mixed with a lie or speaking by another spirit subverting the truth. We all may not see things the exact same way. Let God's Spirit and his word be the discerning way to know truth and error.

Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
Titus 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Final greetings to friends and a word about all of us maintaining good works and being fruitful. We preach to ourselves too.

1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Love and grace, the evidence of a Christian life, Amen

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