Titus 2:6

Titus 2:6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

So, of all the possible things for Paul to mention concerning young men, self-control is all he writes. That this is all may indicate that self-control is a major issue for younger men. Lust, anger, spiritual discipline, the stuff he's about to write to slaves -- all relate to self-control. The definition (Webster's, not inspired) I used above was "restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires."

Restraint: careful, well-thought out; not foolishly passionate
Over: The self-controlled will wins over more short-lived passions
Impulses: take a back-seat to the will empowered by the Holy Spirit
Emotions: Certainly important, but again, the true self controls even the emotions (see Neh 8:9).
Desires: Desires, like emotions, can be God-given or sinful. The self-controlled man submits his desires to the word to test and form them.

May I be in the word and in fellowship with God so that I have the power to be self-controlled - submitting all my desires, emotions and impulses to what I know is true. May these flow, more and more, from my communion with God so that less self-control is necessary to restrain sinful impulses, etc. Instead, my impulses, emotions and desires will already be what is pleasing to God.

Rejoicing Exceedingly with Great Joy

I was reading through Matt 2 this morning about the wise men's journey to see the baby Jesus. When they saw the star had stopped and they had reached their destination, the text describes their reaction:

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."
Matt 2:10

It's easy in this culture to get complacent with the Christmas message, but let's learn something about the magnificence and awesomeness of what happened on Christmas from the wise men. I definitely want to rejoice exceedingly with great joy this Christmas.

Disgrace for Christ > Treasures of World

I was reading this passage in Hebrews the other day:

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."
Hebrews 11:24-26

It made me think about how often I choose disgrace for the sake of Christ over the treasures that the world has to offer. Especially in this time leading up to the celebration of our Lord's birth, I ask God to keep me focused on Him and His Son instead of the gifts I'll get for Christmas.

The key to keeping this mindset, I believe, lies in the last clause: "because he was looking ahead to his reward." It would be impossible to remain strong and choose the disgrace of Christ without looking ahead and realizing the gift of what's to come is infinitely greater than what we have here on Earth.

Titus 2:3

Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

I'm going to breeze through this as it is specifically not addressed to me... Again, I think the list here is exemplary, but not exhaustive. The clarifying phrase is "that the word of God may not be reviled." A nice concept for contextualizing right behavior - "consider what this action communicates to people about the word of God." Very similar to upcoming texts: "that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us" and "so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

Also clear here... that older women should teach... they have some responsibility to care for and train the younger women for the purpose of adorning the word of God.

Clearly, these principles are applicable to me. I should be asking "how do my actions make people think about God and what he has communicated to the world?". I am always testifying about God, is it true testimony or false? Clearly sin happens - but even the response to it gives testimony of the whole counsel of God (obey the law of Christ, and when you don't, confess and trust God's forgiveness).

Praise God for forgiveness and his word!!

Titus2:2

Titus2:2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Of all the things that a Christian man should aspire to, this is an interestingly short list. There are six things here - among all the hundreds of characteristics that could be possible... I wonder if these incorporate the hundreds, or if some Createan context is relevant... Hmmm. A little help from Webster's:

• Sober-minded. (Sober: 1 a : sparing in the use of food and drink : abstemious b : not addicted to intoxicating drink c : not drunk; 2 : marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor; 3 : unhurried, calm; 4 : marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness ; 5 : subdued in tone or color; 6 : showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice)-minded
• Dignity: 1 : the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed; 2 a : high rank, office, or position b : a legal title of nobility or honor; 3 archaic : dignitary; 4 : formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language
• Self-controlled: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires
• Sound in Faith, Love: ((I think those are pretty clear))
  
• Steadfastness: 1 a : firmly fixed in place : immovable b : not subject to change; 2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal

This paints a pretty firm picture of someone who knows what they believe and is serious about it. Obviously, to be sound in faith assumes orthodoxy (around which all this firmness and dignity is focused. Soundness in love adds a gentleness and other-focus as well... these are not jerks, but godly men, who love people. Growing in sanctification. (Do we make anything out of what's missing here? For instance, "missions-minded" isn't here... is that included in "sound in faith and in love"? Is that what Paul implies, or not? All people are included in the gospel-purpose of all this in v. 11. Also, v. 14 implies the saving/purifying of some out of a larger group. Not sure I could say missions is a focal point here - but clearly isn't left out. Hmmm). Although it's not all clear, there are definitely things here for me to desire and pursue. Strength of character, growing in God, love for others...

Titus 2:1

Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

How to teach what accords with sound doctrine? According to 1:9, "must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught." Know the word through it being taught. An interesting emphasis on teaching here... Its not just to know the word, but to know it "as taught." There is something extra important about having the truth taught to one another - to submit to our teachers, learning the word in a community context (at least two, if not a more public, whole-church context). Just studying the word alone isn't enough to understand it (to be kept from misreading, misinterpreting, etc.).

Then, you have to "hold firm" to what was taught - meditation, use it, allow it to "accord with godliness" in your own life.

Then, Titus is asked to teach it. This is a very 2 Timothy 2:2 idea: "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Be taught, then teach to others who are able to teach. Do something with the truth - don't just hear it and enjoy it, but do something with it (teach your kids, pass it along to your wife, friends..., don't hoard it, but share it). I should be mindful to let the truth flow through me more than I do.

Titus 1:15

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

The false-teacher types that Paul describes from v. 10 really are destructive to families and the church. So much, that Paul ends with this description of the defiled-ness of their minds and consciences. It is by their works - the stuff they do (including their teaching) that they prove that they really deny God. These are the opposites of one who simply trusts God and His word. 

May this be true of me: that I would be counted in "the pure" of this verse - and so see things as they are - and not be defiled and unbelieving - and so seeing evil where there is none. Let me know God - not deny him by my works. Do my works show that I know God - show my faith - "justify" my claims to have true faith. I want to watch my life and see that my works do that more and more. May the Lord help me.

Titus 1:10

Titus 1:10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Truth:

• Paul had some specifics in mind when instructing that elders should instruct and rebuke.
• Various motivations for "teaching what they ought not teach": insubordination, empty talkers, deceivers, shameful gain, devoted to myths, following others who turn away... in some ways, opposite of those qualified to be elder.
• Purpose of the rebuke is that they may be sound in the faith (same purpose as church discipline). Reminds me of Titus 2:15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
  
• Although these instructions are for Titus, I imagine they are intended for the elders as well. Titus is setting up the elders in every town...

Application:

• Pray for the leaders of the church that they would know the Lord and his word well to do this job.
• Are any of these things true in me: insubordination, empty talkers, deceivers, shameful gain, devoted to myths, following others who turn away?
• Know the word. Be sound in the faith.
  

The gospel in Ezekiel

I was just talking to a friend yesterday about the book of Ezekiel, and I mentioned how the prophecy that God spoke through Ezekiel contains some of the most powerful gospel images for me. We read chapters 16 and 36 together, and concentrated on the following verses. I've been meditating on them a bit since then...

36:25-27
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

36:32
"It is not for your sake that I will act," declares the Lord GOD, "let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel."

Titus 1:5

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Truth:

• Appointing of elders was part of the original plan ("as I directed you"), not an afterthought.
  
• Overseer is God's steward - has authority to take care of things in God's place. As such, he needs to be above reproach (as an example?, to assist in the people's acceptance of them as leaders?, as representing God to the people?)
• Most of these characteristics are true of all believers
• Teaching and rebuking - upholding sound doctrine - comes from holding firm to the trustworthy word.

Application:

• Hold firm to the trustworthy word as it was taught. Know the Bible to know sound doctrine!
• Allow God's power to conform me into a godly man. Pursue righteousness. Don't know how? Keep seeking until you find out. Focus on Christ to become like Christ.
  
• Be a lover of good.
  

Titus 1:4

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

So far, faith and savior have both been mentioned twice (possible themes?). Paul must be thinking about Jesus as Savior... perhaps an insight into the structure of the book - or into what Paul was meditating on lately. What was Paul reading that week?

Should note that the faith intended to be built here is that of the elect. Should meditate more on this... This is written for the elect - in a way, is missions included in the phrase "for the sake of the faith of God's elect" ? I think so, otherwise I could not expect this book to be for me. I am one of the elect - but wasn't visibly converted when this was written. Not sure if Paul was specifically thinking about me (or at least "my" category of future converted), but I imagine God was when he inspired the writing down of the truth in this book. So, it seems like even in writing to and for the elect, it makes sense that missions is assumed - so there will be future generations of elect to benefit from this letter. (Makes you wonder how much Paul knew of his purpose in the broader history of the church... clearly, he knows what he's preaching is the manifestation of ages old truth - so would be relevant to future generations too...).

Titus 1:1

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

Truth:

• Paul's letter is intended to build faith and knowledge
• Knowledge (of truth) "accords" with godliness (what's the correlation? produces? comes along with?)
• God never lies (AMEN!!)
• Eternal life was promised long ago, manifested in Paul's preaching (w/ perfect timing)
  
• Paul is a servant, apostle, and commanded by Jesus to preach the word (re: eternal life)

Application:

• Expect faith and knowledge (and godliness) from reading this letter.
• Read (and live) "in hope of eternal life" - set my mind on things above...
  
• In Paul's letter(s) is an explanation of truth that existed before ages began - be thankful and in awe.

Motivation

Just an FYI... I'm hoping this blog will provide a bit of motivation for my own desire to be in the word. What I need is some option for almost dailyish accountability - even weekly accountability allows me to say "it's been okay" without really being honest in a useful way. By myself, I am weak... with others (or maybe even just the "stats" page) looking on, perhaps I will have some external accountability to do the things I want to do. I like accountability, but am too (I don't know...) prideful, introverted, lonerific, to really make good use of it. And I am not looking for some external shaming to kick me in the pants. I do see this as a help to keep me moving in the direction that I want to be going in.

So, I will use this more like a brief QT journal- to remind myself to think deeply about what I'm reading - at least deeply enough to make some semi-coherent comments. My priority is not to edify others (although I'd be very happy for that to happen) - so feel no pressure to comment on (or even read) what I post. What would be most useful to me if some of you guys took a look every once and a while to see that I'm posting something.

Thanks friends...

Rejoice in This Day

My alarm didn't off this morning, and I woke up an hour later than I wanted to, which is one of those things that just really irks me. I've been in a pissy mood all morning, but God brought this verse to mind:

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

It was a good reminder to me that this day and all that contains is God's, and is good, regardless of when I start it.

The LORD is my portion

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
-Lamentations 3:24

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
-Psalm 73:25-26

God has been teaching me in the last week or two a bit about what it means for Him to be my portion, something which does not come easy for me. There are two things which really tether me to this temporal existence on earth: my research, and romantic relationships. But God has been gracious to slowly loosen the knots on the tethers that I have tied... I am thankful for grace, and I am thankful for sanctification.