CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE IN CHRIST MINISTRIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
Titus 1:10–16
In Titus 1:10–16 the Apostle Paul takes direct focus on the mission of Titus for which he has been assigned the area of Crete (Titus 1:5). The main focus of this mission is found in Titus 1:10–11 (NKJV) as Paul declares, “10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” To put it a little more simply, there are people who are teaching things about the gospel that are not true but are in line with the ways of man’s desires, falsely leading others in their deceptive ways. Paul declares in Titus 1:16, “16They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”
Paul goes a little further in describing these false teachers and points out in Titus 1:10 that they are, “especially those of the circumcision.” This is referring to those who are attempting to apply the laws of Judaism to Christianity by teaching that to be a true Christian one must be circumcised as if by being circumcised makes one a Christian. Paul declared in Galatians 2:16, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
This is a promise that the law of Moses only points out sin but does not purify us from our sinful nature.
This is a promise and example of the evil false teachers in the world.
This is a command to utilize constructive criticism to carefully and with compassion, lead lost souls to Christ Jesus.
We all want and desire to do good things; it is a common desire within each of us. The fulfillment we seek for what we may refer to as good deeds varies as each person’s worldview differs from what is considered “good,” but this does not change what God sees and desires for us as being good and is unchangeable in His eyes regardless of our own wants and desires.
Jesus is the righteousness of God and we cannot obtain righteousness as God sees it by our own ways and determinations. We must submit to a realization and understanding of the sinful nature, which is at work in us all, and the saving grace from our Creator God in sending the One gift that paid the price for all sin so that we may have a way of escape. The Apostle Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 10:12–13, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Dear LORD,
Please give us the encouragement to study Your Word each day so that we may be equipped to stand in the face of false teachings, and not only to stand but to correct and instruct others with the kindness and love that Jesus has first shown to us by saving us from sin so that we may lead lost souls to Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.