Good Morning, Siblings!
Today’s readings are Titus – Philemon
Rabbit Trails
Today we are covering two very short letters from Paul. So I’m giving you very short notes from Christy.
Titus is a letter very much devoted to describing models of behavior that the body of believers should look for in their leaders.
Titus 1:1 Paul states that he is an apostle for the sake of the faith of the elect and their knowledge of truth, which accords with Godliness. Knowledge of YHWH’s truth, study of it, should cause us know Him better and even to become more like Him. That is where being both a hearer and doer go hand in hand.
Qualifications for elders: Titus 1:5-10 lays down a list of must be and must not be for our leaders.
Must be:
- above reproach
- not a polygamist
- not arrogant
- not quick tempered
- not a drunkard
- not violent
- not greedy for gain
- hospitable
- not a lover of self
- self controlled
- upright
- holy
- disciplined. They must hold firm to YHWH’s truth so that his advice and instructions are sound and he must rebuke those who do not hold firm to YHWH’s truth.
Titus 1:14 warns against people who devote themselves to Jewish myths and manmade commandments of people who have rejected the truth and uphold their own version instead. I’m afraid both branches of our family tree have myths and manmade commandments. If you ever catch me having coffee somewhere, sit down a spell and we’ll talk about that.
Titus 2 goes into great detail about the responsibilities of those older in the faith to maintain their character in a way that is honoring to YHWH and nurtures, trains, and encourages the younger generations. YHWH knew we were prone to follow examples and in this letter Paul is doing all he can to ensure that the faithful have Godly examples in these positions.
Titus 3 reminds us to be submissive to rulers and authorities and to be obedient, ready for any opportunity that comes our way to do good. Often you’ll hear the question of whether or not it is Biblical to be submissive and obedient to rulers and authorities who lead others astray or are otherwise evil themselves. This is a question to ask directly to the Father but I want to add that if Believers heeded the first two chapters of Titus, we’d have leaders that fit those descriptors in the bullet point list at the start of my notes.
Oh the wounds the world would have never known if we had of just loved our God half as much as He loves us!
Titus 3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self condemned.
In case you’re still holding out, feeling guilty for distancing yourself from someone who stirs up strife in some area of your life, here ya go. I started doing this years ago and I’ve reached gold medal level at this point. I still love them. I still pray for them, but I feel no guilt for not having them in my circle of iron sharpens iron friends.
Philemon 1:4-7 is going to fill your heart and make your soul smile. Fair warning.
I’m going to leave the rest of the Titus and Philemon notes to you! Show me what ya got, fam!
We’re moving at a steady clip and just two weeks from reading the whole word. Do you feel the Spirit moving? Rak Chazak!
Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21
We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!
May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!