October 26: To move forward, read in reverse...

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46

Titus 1:1-16

Psalms 97:1-98:9

Proverbs 26:13-16

So I was reading today's NT reading and it was sorta kinda making sense.  In verses 6-9, Paul describes the characteristics of an the men Titus was to appoint to an elder position within the Cretan church.  The characteristics did not just describe the elder himself, but his family - even his children ([who] believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient).  And then in verses 10-17 he explains why such is necessary- he talks of "rebellious people full of meaningless talk and deception...disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain."  He talks of the impure, "who claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him".  Not one to mince words - this was the man who, in Galatians, suggested those throwing the faithful into confusion should emasculate themselves - he then goes on to call such people "detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."  And he says they must be silenced.

Yet how to silence them, to rebut their arguments, to counter the seductiveness of their doctrine of self gratification?  Turns out, the answer is to be found by reading the passage backwards...because it is in the earlier parts where we see the description of a living rebuttal to the sinful nature described...a man blameless, faithful to his wife, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.  Rather he is hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self controlled (the very antithesis of someone who acts for dishonest gain!), upright, holy and disciplined, and holding firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught.  Why?  So he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.  

What's interesting is the person described does not refute by words - rather, he refutes by example, by living a life other people will see, and will want to emulate.  It does not seem as though he is out there accusing others of sinfulness...rather he is teaching doctrine by living as an example.  

As a father with three children - a daughter already off to college and away from much of my influence, and two sons who are increasingly demonstrating minds of their own - I look at my life, my behavior and how I have raised my children, and cannot help but think at how far short I have fallen of the standard Paul describes, the example Paul wants the elders to set.  I fear for what my children may have learned - it is so good to find comfort in the psalmist's prayer, "for He guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked".