Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… especially those of the circumcision group.
Summary: The case of the circumcision group offers us an example of disagreements in the early church. Some were resolved by discussion. Others festered and turned into open conflict.
Continue reading “Titus 1:10 (c) — That All May Be One”
… and refute those who oppose it.
Summary: Who has the authority to decide what is right? Who is able to refute those who oppose the Word of God? I will tell you who it is not: It is not the one who yells and bullies others into submission.
Continue reading “Titus 1:9 (e) — Perspectives”
… holy …
Summary: The Greek word translated here as “holy” has a deeper meaning. It points us to the nature of a person and their desire to please God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (e) — A Special Kind of Holy”
… who is self-controlled …
Summary: Remote-control is a great thing when it comes to toys. It is not so great when it comes to people. God offers us freedom from Evil’s remote-control over our lives. All we need is Jesus.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (c) — Little Robots”
… one who loves what is good …
Summary: Analytical personalities are not often gifted with the ability to “see” with the heart. Yet an overseer of God’s church must be able to do that, and to love what is good.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (b) — Eyes of the Heart”
Rather, he must be hospitable …
Summary: Hospitable is a word that may best be understood by looking at its opposite. Then there are other qualities that need to be considered to ensure that one’s hospitable nature is genuine.
Continue reading “Titus 1:8 (a) — The Genuine Thing”
… not pursuing dishonest gain.
Summary: Peter’s requirements for an overseer begin with six traits to watch out for. Two of these traits are not like the others. Doing things that earn blame and pursuing dishonest gain both require effort and reveal a heart focused on material things instead of the things of God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (g) — Bookends”
… not violent …
Summary: Paul has laid out a description of what marks a man as unfit for managing God’s household. By applying deductive logic, we can surmise why this is and what is needed to transform a man into someone ready for service.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (f) — Mark of the Maker”
… not given to drunkenness …
Summary: Paul continues with his discourse on what to avoid in a church leader, especially an overseer. All we have to do now is figure out what he means by “not given to drunkenness.”
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (e) — Clothespins & Wine”
…not quick-tempered…
Summary: Paul’s letter compares things we should not do with things a believer should do. We then look at the first “not” on Paul’s list. A godly person, one who is qualified to be an overseer, is not quick-tempered.
Continue reading “Titus 1:7 (d) — Paul’s Scale”