Titus 1

Paul is writing this book to Titus, who he considers a son in faith.  Paul starts the letter by reminding the reader(s) who he is and why he's writing.  Paul had been traveling with Titus, but they parted ways in Crete, Greece.  Titus is continuing a work there, organizing the church leaders to create and maintain order in this exploding movement.  The word for elder is presbuteros, which means literally old man, but has more the meaning of "authority by virtue of age or experience". (merriam-webster)  With that great authority comes great responsibility, and Paul lays the blueprint for Titus to follow when it comes to appointing elders.  As Titus oversees the naming of the overseers, Paul reminds him that some men are not going to be equipped to be elders, mostly the ones who are preaching salvation by works alone.  They are tearing apart families by teaching falsely, and must be silenced.  The Cretans have a true reputation for being a rough group, so Titus is directed to teach them to grow strong in the truth, not in myths and leadings of false teachers.  Purity will not be the Cretans first instinct, because they've known nothing but pollution and unbelief. And there will be those who will claim to follow God, but their works show they do not.  They are not to be trusted and they are not to be put in any leadership position.

Paul was a former persecutor of the very church he's now organizing.  He identifies himself as a bond-servant of God, a willing participant in the service of a loved master; and as an apostle of Jesus Christ, His own sent messenger.  Paul writes this letter to Titus with the heart of a pastor, because he cares about the faith of the children of God, and he cares about their knowledge of the truth.  Paul cares because having faith and knowledge of the truth tends to godliness, which is the desired end result.  This godliness leads to eternal life, salvation, reconciliation-- which The Trustworthy God promised  before time was measured.   Paul fits into this great plan as a preacher and has been authorized to distribute the commands of God.  So, one of the first orders of business is working with Titus to set up the Greek church.  He lays out a plan for what would be expected of church leaders-- a man who is above reproach;  the husband of one wife; children who are not only believers, but also are not wasteful and rebellious.  As an agent of God, he should be considered to be an overseer of the household of God.  The church is an institution implemented by God through Christ Jesus, and should be led by those who are committed to a humble, calm, peaceful, disciplined, deliberate lifestyle.  But it's not enough to just be a good guy--he must be able to give instruction in sound doctrine.  He must KNOW the truth of God's Word enough to both teach it rightly and call out those who are teaching it falsely.  Discipleship 101!!!

Titus 1 changes me in the first verses.  If I were writing a letter to a friend who is a sister in Christ, how would I introduce myself?  What goals would matter enough to me to put right after my name?  I may not have the same responsibilities as Paul, Titus, or elders in my own church.  But I have responsibilities as a child of God.  I would start like Paul-- I am a bond servant of God.  I have been set free by the sacrifice of Jesus, yet I willingly come back and "nail my earlobe" to Him.  I would say I'm on a mission, sent by Jesus for the sake of helping others grow in faith and knowledge of the truth. Growing in knowledge awakens godliness, which leads to eternal life, which God promised before time that He would accomplish.  I pray that I am faithful to the investment that Christ Jesus has made in me.