“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 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. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:10-16
Devotional Thought For The Day
A number of observations are made in these verses, and judgments, warnings, and counsels. First, a description of the problem: there were people who were teaching in the congregation and urging things that were contrary to true and genuine faith in Jesus. Their motive was “shameful gain,” that is, they were motivated to feign Christian ministry for the sake of making a good living, concerned to enrich themselves rather than eager to engage in genuine Christian ministry for the sake of Christ and for the good and blessedness of people, their faith and salvation. They were creating divisions, seeking to draw people away from the church and into their cult. Paradoxically, to feed their own selfish gluttony they were advocating self-denial, teaching that the kingdom of God was principally about foods and adherence to circumcision and other “Jewish myths” and submission to the “commands” of people who had rejected the truth of God’s gift of salvation. They were still insisting that works must be done in order to be saved. This is contrasted with being “sound in the faith.” What is described is the beginnings of Gnosticism and asceticism, both of which have troubled and threatened the church from apostolic times to this very day.
Poor Titus was instructed to oppose and silence such teaching in the church. His opponents were described as “insubordinate” and as “empty talkers and deceivers.” They were not only captivated and steeped in error, they were aggressive and bold, demanding authority and rejecting the authority of God’s Word and His pastors. Such must always be opposed within Christendom, and the shepherds are responsible to guard the sheep from those who would fleece and butcher them. It is an unpleasant business, filled with conflict and spiritual warfare, and ultimately the judgment of God being imposed upon these highly pious hypocrites. But to allow these dynamics within a congregation is to allow evil beasts to devour the flock, and so Titus, and all Christian pastors must be “sound in the faith,” able to protect true believers and drive off the wolves. The Lord Jesus warned of such false prophets, that they would be ravenous [Matt. 7:15], that they would be numerous, and that they would lead many astray [Matt. 24:11]. Both Peter and John warned of the same threat [2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1]. Unfortunately, we have still many such “beasts” with us and among us to this day.
In response to this “pious” threat [these people seem so devoted and committed to honoring God by denying themselves even the good gifts of God’s creation], the apostle states a radical sounding principle: “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.” Paul is not talking about “sin” being pure [no violations of God’s law of love are pure], but rather the legitimate use of God’s created things – marriage, monogamous sexuality, all manner of food and drink, living a normal life, fulfilling one’s calling as a husband, wife, worker, official, business owner, soldier, etc. However, to those who call these things “impure,” who are defiled and unbelieving, still thinking that spirituality is a matter of asceticism, of abstaining from foods and normal gifts of God’s creation, “nothing is pure.” Ironically, to the unbelieving, everything they do and use is impure, because apart from the knowledge of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness, and faith in His redemption and cleansing, minds and consciences remain “defiled.” So, these people make great claims about “knowing God,” but their teaching against the truth of the gospel makes all of their works “detestable,” and makes them “unfit for any good work” – regardless of how pious and self-controlled they may appear to be. Apart from true and genuine faith in God’s free gift of forgiveness and salvation, one cannot do any truly good work, but even the good things such unbelievers do are disobedient to God, to the Gospel and the truth of His Word.
So they must be opposed and silenced – not only for the sake of the church, but for their own sake as well, that perhaps they may come to repentance and knowledge of the truth, and be restored to the apostolic fellowship with God and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Again, it is hard work within the church, and all of us are called to be sound in the faith that we may make united defense – joyfully living in the freedom and blessedness of the Gospel, and driving off the evil beasts [who not only refuse to believe and submit to the true Gospel but also try to infect others with pietistic unbelief]. In this way the church is also preserved in its mission of calling others to faith in Jesus, to life and salvation in His gracious love and redemption. So, much is at stake, and we must heed this warning.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, the lure of pietistic asceticism is strong – it holds promise of elevating ourselves above others, of being able to be proud of our spiritual accomplishments, but it is deadly and dastardly. Forgive us for these grave sins which deny what Your suffering and death have accomplished for us, and which also seek to diminish Your glory. Protect us always from evil beasts who deny Your salvation and plunge men back into slavery and darkness. Help us to live in genuine purity, and to bear witness to the power of Your love with our own love. Preserve Your true church to the end. Amen.