An Epistle Written Unto the Christians
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Titus 2:12
Titus had been given a duty by the Apostle Paul; this was to set in order the things that were wanting, and ordain elders, as Paul had appointed him to do (Titus 1:5). Beloved, we could see in chapter one that Paul wrote to Titus concerning the things that were wanting, the specific aspects included the lack of preaching Christ among the Cretians (Titus 1:10-11), the fact that those who had the loudest voices were liars and evil beasts (Titus 1:12), and that none of these servants of Satan were ever rebuked, so Paul told Titus to “rebuke them sharply” (Titus 1:13).
Can we see a parallel world here in the United States? Are there things wanting here? Are there elders ordained to lead the Church in every city? There may be elders, but they are satanic elders if they do not exhort the brethren to good works (Hebrews 10:24). We discussed in the previous Epistle regarding the ministry of Titus that Christians today love to live in sin. Paul discussed in another place how that the last days would give way to people who will not listen to sound doctrine, but will instead hire teachers of wicked things, so that the itch of sin that they have may be satisfied with lies (2 Timothy 4:3).
Paul wanted Titus to correct this issue within Crete, as he tells him first, “Speak thou the things that become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). This should be familiar to all that remember the Scripture of Paul in other places, such as: “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2), or “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3), and many such like Scriptures.
Simply stated, dear Christian, our ministry must be in Christ, and Christ alone. Why do we put off the work he has for us to do, so that we may enjoy this world of sin? Paul determined in Titus that he would preach the things that are fitting to the doctrine of Christ, which things included living soberly in God. Let us examine, and see if the desired behavior of the Christians, as explained by Paul, reflects that of the Christian men and women today.
Paul said that the aged men should be “sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience” (Titus 2:2). As we have reasoned together in the previous Epistle, “How often have you heard that Christians cannot disagree or judge?”, let us now judge righteous judgement (John 7:24), for to not judge according to the Holy Spirit, is to have an itch in the ear that needs a tremendous scratch. When Paul tells Titus to teach the aged men to be sober, does this mean the aged man should have a Jack Daniels? A Budweiser? Or should the aged men be sober? Perhaps, in order to scratch the tremendous itch, I should say that you should drink what you want? Yet, where did Paul say this? He did not ever say this, beloved. He said be sober.
Paul wanted Titus to teach the aged men to be grave, to be serious and honest, and to understand truth without excuse. Paul told Titus to teach the aged men to be temperate, which means the appetites of the flesh should be under control, and not indulged upon, as Paul said “I keep under my body daily” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul wanted the aged men to be sound in faith, which removes the excuse of the aged Christian man to “leave the understanding of the Scripture to the learned men and the clergy” which statements are a bane to the generation of aged men who should be sound in faith, and yet are only sound in the Rock-and-Roll, Sci-Fi, the Novels, and the Sports teams. The aged Christian men of today are a besotted sort without charity, which is sacrifice, and without patience, which is resting in God.
And “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). Do the aged Christian women keep these things in their hearts? The generation that instructs their children to accuse all men of debauchery is here, while they pine away about how they should wear whatever makes them feel “pretty”, which is lasciviousness and folly.
Do the aged women truly live in holiness? While the cliche in the culture is that an aged woman finds happiness in a glass of wine? While they teach their daughters that selfish happiness is the goal in life, and that a career in the present evil world is what is most to be desired? This is all in the name of “women’s liberation”, yet what happens to them according to the true proverb is the reality, “for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage”, or how the sow is returned to her “wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:19, 22). It is astounding to see that the way for a woman to be most free in this world is apparently to bare her body to the world. This is empowering? Then, Christians must disregard how that Paul told Titus to teach the aged women to be discreet, chaste, and good. Yet, presently the titles of “slut”, “whore”, and “bitch” are worn as badges of honor by the current generation.
Did the aged Christian women teach their daughters to love their husbands? Or divorce them? It is hard to tell which, based on the present state of this generation’s women. Did the aged Christian women teach their daughters to love their children? Or murder them in abortion? It is hard to tell which, when the Christian women have been beguiled to believe that murdering their off-spring is a woman’s right. Did the aged Christian women teach their daughters that they must be obedient to their husbands? No, for if they did there would not be a blasphemous controversy in the Church as to whether or not the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever (1 Peter 1:23), is outdated or not concerning the role of women. The aged Christian women of today are a licentious sort, desiring to live after the flesh, then teaching their own daughters to behave likewise.
This is all to describe the sad state of affairs that Christians find themselves in. We have lost our identity as a Church. The Body of Christ is supposed to be a holy light for the world! Instead, we have sunk down in the mire, and returned to our own vomit, the world sees it, and rejoices. Yet, Paul instructed Titus to work with them on the isle of Crete for one simple reason: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11), because Christ had given his life for the sheep, and it is his will that all would be saved from sin, death, and hell. And it was for this reason that Paul said to speak these truths, exhort after these truths, and rebuke the ones who carried divers away from these truths, and to do it with all authority. Paul said the Christians must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and instead look for the “blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Are we looking for Christ’s return, dear Christian? Or are we hoping for a little more time to stay here and enjoy the filth of the world?
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Would you like to receive notifications of Epistles like this one?
His Name Is Called The Word Of God 