July 11, 2014
BAD REPUTATION
Titus 1:10–16
Brooke Holt
Central Truth
As Christ-followers and representatives of our Savior, we must be of good repute in order to show the world who Jesus is.
Key Verse | Titus 1:12
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' (Titus 1:12)
Titus 1:10–16
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 1 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, 2 1:12 Greek One of them a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 3 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Dive Deeper | Titus 1:10–16
Anyone with a love for 80's music has probably listened to Joan Jett. She didn't give a, um, "care," about her bad reputation. For those of you who don't know much about ancient Crete (I'm assuming that's a majority of this reading audience), its inhabitants could have penned that song two thousand years before it was written. They had a bad reputation (even among their own prophets) and didn't give a "care" about it either.
Our actions can leave a mark that speaks volumes about our character. While our aim should be to please God over people (Galatians 1:10), a natural consequence of where our hearts are in relation to His may be that others recognize Whose we are and Whom we follow.
We are Christ's ambassadors on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20), and it is our goal to reflect God's heart to a world that desperately needs Him. If the Cretan believers truly understood the nature and character of the God they proclaimed to follow and ultimately represented, do you think they would have been comfortable with being called "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons"? Or known for their false, legalistic teachers?
Paul also wrote to a church in Thessalonica where he discussed the mark that believers can carry and praised this group for having a positive reputation that preceded them. In 1 Thessalonians 1, he likened their reputation to a bell that is loudly rung and echoes far beyond its location. Wow. That's the kind of reputation I want to have. For the glory of God, may others know of His kindness (Romans 2:4), His mercy (Lamentations 3:22), His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23), His love (Romans 8:38-39), and His great sacrifice for us all (Romans 5:8) because I choose to follow Him closely.
Joan Jett didn't care about her reputation. Are you willing to take the time to invest in yours?
Discussion Questions
1. What is your reputation?
2. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10. Would you say your faith in God rings loudly enough to be heard by others?
3. If any areas of your life have garnered a bad reputation for you, are you open to rebuke (Titus 1:13) and gentle correction from other believers in your life?