Dear Student of the Word,
This week we begin our short study of Paul's letter to his colleague, Titus. Paul had left Titus behind when he left Crete and wanted Titus to set things in order and appoint elders. We don't know much about Titus - who he was, where he came from and how he established a relationship with Paul. We do know, however, that Titus was a tremendous blessing to Paul and the work of the gospel. Paul was disturbed that some false teachers had emerged in Crete, as there had been in all the cities in which Paul labored. This week I wrote in day five of this seven-day study:
v. 11 – Paul was not tolerant of anyone who did not adhere to the teaching that emanating from his ministry, for he knew that what he had he had received from the Lord Himself. Today Paul would be portrayed as intolerant, perhaps the worst label that tolerant moderns can put on anyone! Paul wrote that those of the “circumcision party” should shut up or be shut up.Those false teachers were ruining entire families. That shows you the power of good or bad teaching. This is why teachers incur a stricter judgment as James wrote in his letter:
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check (James 4:1-2).
What’s more, these false teachers had a hidden agenda – they were after dishonest gain. There is another saying that says, “Follow the money.” When you followed the money in Paul’s day, it led to those false teachers. This is not the only time Paul encountered those who were profiteering from perverting the gospel:
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God (2 Corinthians 2:17)
v. 12 – Paul was referring to those who were in Crete where he had left Titus to set things in order. One of the Cretan prophets had given testimony about his own people. His testimony indicated that his people were not a noble group, but had their cultural tendencies that only furthered the problem that Paul saw. These Cretan false prophets had found a financial way to benefit from their erroneous interpretation of the gospel.
Usually I resist any type of cultural stereotype, for there is no way that such a belief can be accurate for all – or so I thought. But Paul here indicted Cretans in general and showed how s cultural flaw could impact the work of the gospel. When you think of it, every culture would have a flaw or flaws, because every culture has emerged from sinful men working together to build cultural norms, habits and behaviors. The gospel came not only to change individuals, but also to change sinful cultural behaviors.
This is why each believer must look to be transformed, for there are powerful internal and external forces that work to keep a believer from being conformed to the image of Christ. Ask the Lord to show you where your culture may have shaped or be shaping your attitudes, thinking or behavior in a way that is contrary to the culture of the Gospel.
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. For additional New Testament Bible studies, check out my website archive, which contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews, 1-3 John and Revelation, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.
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OPERATION PETTICOAT: I announced plans two weeks ago to continue raising money for The Sophia Fund, the Deborah Foundation and a new program, Operation: Petticoat. The latter is an effort to raise money for underwear for the young ladies in Kenya, who don't have any and consequently miss school because of it. I know it may sound simple, but this is an important issue as evidenced by two emails I received this past week:
Just read about Operation: Petticoat. It is so true about the underwear issue. Most of the girls here don't wear bras and the panties are tattered. It may seem strange to you but it is a big issue and the silly things are not cheap! So little material but the price can be restrictive to kids who have little - J.M.
John, I think Operation: Petticoat is brilliant. Lack of underwear is a huge problem for girls and women in Africa and they are very grateful for any that can be sent. It doesn't matter if it is second hand as long as it is clean. Bras are particularly appreciated because they are harder to find and much more expensive. They are also necessary for older girls to be able to play sport. Women in developed countries don't know what to do with their older bras other than throw them away, and they could make such a difference. Children's clothes are also needed. Zimbabwe winter temperatures regularly go below zero at night. Another vital necessity, which is out of reach for all but the best paid, is sanitary towels and tampons - S.F.
I am going back to Kenya in May, so we set April 30 as our deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there. You may not be passionate about underwear, but the two emails above speak to the urgency of the matter.
You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. $70 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and $500 yesterday for The Sophia Fund, and I am trusting the Risen Christ for a lot more! Thank you for your help.
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