Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
But avoid foolish controversies …
Summary: The concept of a “foolish controversy” is one that opens the door to a lot of discussion. Understanding the difference between what is foolish and what is sensible requires wisdom.
Continue reading “Titus 3:9 (a) — Foolish and Sensible”
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.
Summary: Somehow avoiding people sounds a bit un-Christian. Yet Paul tells us to avoid people who live to argue. Looking at the list of “things to stress” that Paul gave Titus, we can see how this makes sense.
Continue reading “Titus 3:9-10 — Avoidance”
And I want you to stress these things …
Summary: Paul’s letter to Titus is very short. Yet, it contains a concise summary of Christian teachings. In this passage we are encouraged to step back and take a look at where Paul’s words have brought us.
Continue reading “Titus 3:8 (b) — Things”
When … God our Savior appeared … he saved us …
Summary: Paul speaks from a godly perspective. If we see his words only from a human perspective, we risk losing everything worth having.
Continue reading “Titus 3:5 (a) — Tortoise and Hare”
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared …
Summary: The word “kindness” is sometimes misunderstood to refer to someone who never says a mean word. As we look at today’s passage, we discover that what is important is the moral quality of the person or being the word refers to.
Continue reading “Titus 3:4 — A Kind of Kindness”
At one time we too were … enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.
Summary: The road to freedom is a beautiful adventure. The end of the road is the beginning of a new life in heaven. Meanwhile, here on earth, we can be free of the shackles of the desires of the flesh.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (e) — The Road to Freedom”
At one time we too were … deceived …
Summary: Being a demon is hard work. You cannot force people to leave God’s Light, you have to tempt them. Fortunately for the demons, their work is made easier when we turn our back on God.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (d) — Going Astray”
At one time we too were … disobedient …
Summary: Obedience is hard for humans. It requires us to submit to God’s authority and we tend not to like doing that. Yet God’s rules are not all that hard to comply with, if only we would.
Continue reading “Titus 3:3 (c) — God’s Rules”
Remind the people … always to be gentle toward everyone.
Summary: Understanding the context of a verse or passage is critical to understanding the intent of the text. It is important to ask questions about the context as we read through God’s Word.
Continue reading “Titus 3:2 (d) — Who Is Everyone?”
Remind the people to be … considerate …
Summary: Being considerate means considering want other people might need or want. The second step is thinking about what we can do for others. The third step is doing it.
Continue reading “Titus 3:2 (c) — Consideration”