July 10, 2014

CHILD, STAND FIRM

Titus 1:1–9

Lindsay Crisanti
Thursday's Devo

July 10, 2014

Thursday's Devo

July 10, 2014

Central Truth

Belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ is central to the life of a Christian. It is what transforms our words, motivations, actions, and thoughts. Without it, we cannot stand firm or fulfill our purpose as God's children -- namely, to point people to our Savior.

Key Verse | Titus 1:9

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)

Titus 1:1–9

Greeting

Paul, a servant 1 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 2 1:2 Greek before times eternal and at the proper time manifested in his word 3 1:3 Or manifested his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications for Elders

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, 4 1:6 Or a man of one woman and his children are believers 5 1:6 Or are faithful and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, 6 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound 7 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13 doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Footnotes

[1] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
[2] 1:2 Greek before times eternal
[3] 1:3 Or manifested his word
[4] 1:6 Or a man of one woman
[5] 1:6 Or are faithful
[6] 1:7 Or bishop; Greek episkopos
[7] 1:9 Or healthy; also verse 13

Dive Deeper | Titus 1:1–9

Paul opens his letter to Titus by explaining his purpose for leaving his "true son in the faith that we share" (verse 4, NLT). It was, in fact, to complete the work in Crete by establishing elders in every town. Paul then lists the characteristics of an elder. Though there are many I could focus on, God spoke directly to my heart when I read verse 9.

"He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught." (Titus 1:9a, NLT)

The trustworthy message is, of course, the gospel of Jesus. Paul himself said, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, NASB) The message that God has indeed sent the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sins is trustworthy. Amen.

We see the purpose of an elder in the second part of verse 9 (NLT): "to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong." All of this comes by having a strong belief in Jesus. An elder can fulfill his role only if he believes in Jesus and then lives out that belief in his daily life.

My prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for myself, is that we would stand firm on the trustworthy message of the gospel and choose to believe it instead of the lies that the enemy, our culture, and this world tell us. If we put all our trust in the gospel, then every word spoken, every step taken, and every thought we have would point people to Jesus. That is our purpose. What could be better than that?

Discussion Questions

1. Would you say that you have a strong belief in the trustworthy message of the gospel?

2. What can you do to guide your heart to rest in this trustworthy message?

3. What needs to change for you to trust the gospel in each and every situation of your daily life?