To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. Titus 1:15 (NKJV)

Pure Perspectives

Have you ever stopped to consider the power of perspective? Two people can look at the same thing and formulate completely different impressions. For example, a police officer can cause conviction in one heart and comfort in another. The difference is a matter of perspective. Are you a criminal or a law-abiding citizen?

This principle of perspective carries over into the spiritual realm. For in writing to Titus, Paul pointed out that there were some who had a pure perspective on life. These people looked at life through a pure lens and saw the positive potential in every situation. Conversely, there were those who had an impure (or defiled) perspective. They looked at life through a dirty lens and couldn’t see the positive potential in anything. Life was one long list of problems and pains where everything seemed wrong.

From time to time, people will let me know how bothered they are by the fact that we permit people to smoke cigarettes outside on our church property. They see "sinners" who need to be set straight. That’s not what I see. I see people struggling and needing help, and I know that they’ve come to the perfect place. They’ve come to God’s house, which means they’re seeking His help for their lives. As they continue to come, they’re going to hear about addiction and self-control. But I want the Holy Spirit to give them the inward conviction to change rather than me hitting them with rules that will only temporarily alter their outward behavior. Can you see the difference in perspective?

As God’s children, we’ve been purified and cleansed. We should be the ones who see the positive potential in people rather than finding fault with everything they do. God has been so gracious to us, and He expects us to help others. But how can we if we don’t show them the same grace that God has shown to us?

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. Titus 1:15 (NKJV)

Pure Perspectives

Have you ever stopped to consider the power of perspective? Two people can look at the same thing and formulate completely different impressions. For example, a police officer can cause conviction in one heart and comfort in another. The difference is a matter of perspective. Are you a criminal or a law-abiding citizen?

This principle of perspective carries over into the spiritual realm. For in writing to Titus, Paul pointed out that there were some who had a pure perspective on life. These people looked at life through a pure lens and saw the positive potential in every situation. Conversely, there were those who had an impure (or defiled) perspective. They looked at life through a dirty lens and couldn’t see the positive potential in anything. Life was one long list of problems and pains where everything seemed wrong.

From time to time, people will let me know how bothered they are by the fact that we permit people to smoke cigarettes outside on our church property. They see "sinners" who need to be set straight. That’s not what I see. I see people struggling and needing help, and I know that they’ve come to the perfect place. They’ve come to God’s house, which means they’re seeking His help for their lives. As they continue to come, they’re going to hear about addiction and self-control. But I want the Holy Spirit to give them the inward conviction to change rather than me hitting them with rules that will only temporarily alter their outward behavior. Can you see the difference in perspective?

As God’s children, we’ve been purified and cleansed. We should be the ones who see the positive potential in people rather than finding fault with everything they do. God has been so gracious to us, and He expects us to help others. But how can we if we don’t show them the same grace that God has shown to us?

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain…. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith…. Titus 1:10-13 (NKJV)

Tough Love

Paul had instructed Titus on how to deal with subversive spies who sneak into the house of God. He had shown that they need to be identified according to the fruit of their actions. Now the apostle explains the next step to take and the proper motivation for that action.

Paul instructs Titus to rebuke them sharply. In order to prevent spies from spreading their subversion, they need to be rebuked. There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to what a rebuke is. It doesn’t mean yelling or screaming at someone but rather "to convince of error." Practically, it means comparing what people have done or said to God’s standard for right and wrong and then clearly pointing out to them where they have fallen short.

The motivation behind the rebuke should be that they may be sound in the faith. The reason for rebuking subversive spies is to help them get strong in their faith, not to cut them down to size. The unconditional love of Christ should govern and guide the rebuke. It’s a tough task to rebuke a person, but it’s tough love in its finest form.

I’ve found that we can get off track in our attempts to get someone else on track. If we do the right thing for the wrong reason, in the end, things won’t turn out the way we (or God) wanted them to. With this in mind, let’s remember that when the time comes to rebuke those who are sowing subversive seeds, we need to do it out of a loving heart that desires to see them grow up and get grounded in their walk with God.

For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision…. Titus 1:10 (NKJV)

Foul Fruit

Yesterday we saw how the body of Christ plays host to subversive spies from time to time and that we’re responsible to identify them by their fruit. But what does their fruit look like? Here are three specific kinds.

Insubordination. Subversive spies will have a hard time submitting to spiritual authority. They’re always resisting and challenging the instruction flowing from the pastor’s pulpit. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, they undermine the leadership of the church in word and deed. Can you believe the pastor’s Bible study today? I’d give him a six. I wish he’d teach more topically. If I were in charge….

Idle talk. Their conversations never go anywhere or accomplish anything constructive. Their lives revolve around doctrinal debates and verbal volleys intended to make them look like the final word when it comes to God’s Word. Meanwhile, there’s a slew of hurting people who need to be encouraged and loved.

Adding to the finished work of Christ. They don’t appreciate the power of the Cross or the depth of God’s grace. The Bible connects these people with circumcision. A bit of background is needed. God had required Jews to be physically circumcised (Leviticus 12:2-3), but after Christ’s work of redemption, circumcision became a symbolic agreement (not a matter of law) for both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 2:25-26). Eventually, some Jews began teaching that simple faith in Jesus’ death on the Cross wasn’t good enough. They said Gentiles had to get circumcised in order to be right with God. It was the classic "Jesus plus" line-that you need Jesus plus something else in order to be saved.

Beware when you encounter people who don’t respect the spiritual authority over them. Take heed when people only want to argue and debate doctrine. Mark those who are always adding to Jesus’ work on the Cross. And above all, make sure your life is free from this foul fruit.

Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision…. Titus 1:9-10 (NKJV)

Subversive Spies

Every congregation is a conglomeration, a collection of people from different spiritual circles. In every church, you will find those who are seriously saved. They know their sins have been washed away, and they’re seeking God’s will for their lives as they serve Him with their whole heart. You’ll also have suspicious skeptics, who aren’t sure where they stand with God but attend nonetheless because they want to learn more. You’re also bound to have a few self-serving socialites. For them, church is an opportunity to network and make connections they stand to profit from.

And then there’s a fourth group that’s described for us in the passage above-the subversive spies. These people come into the house of God with an agenda to share, spread, and sow seeds of dispute and disagreement. Subversive spies present a very real danger to the body of Christ, and they need to be identified and called out when their agenda is discovered. This may sound harsh at first, but remember, Jesus commanded His followers to be on the lookout for such people:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV)

Subversive spies are bound to bear bad fruit, and it’s our responsibility to step up and rebuke them. If we don’t, they will spread discontent, and the body of Christ will soon become divided, disoriented, and disconnected from the great God whom it’s supposed to represent.

For a bishop must be… self-controlled…. Titus 1:7-8 (NKJV)

A Different Definiton

What’s supposed to happen to people when they become Spirit-filled? Should they start shouting at the top of their lungs? Will they perspire profusely and preach in a language nobody understands? Should they suddenly shake and fall to the floor? Many of us have witnessed demonstrations like this before, and in many cases, they’ve been "sold" to us as "Spirit-filled" experiences. But when we look to the Bible, we see that it gives a very different definition of what it means to be Spirit-filled:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Notice the important connection between the work of God’s Spirit and the presence of self-control. The Spirit does not bring craziness or chaos into people’s lives. Rather, He imparts to Christians a strong sense of self-control and command over their own mind, will, and emotions. The Bible couldn’t be plainer on this point-a Spirit-filled Christian will be a self-controlled Christian.

And yet, somewhere along the way, we decided to associate eccentricity with spirituality. To a large degree, this misrepresentation has been most prominent in the pulpit. Without wanting to be overly critical of other’s service (Romans 14:4), I see a lack of self-control in many cases, and the result has been a flood of counter-productive confusion and criticism. That’s why I appreciate Paul’s instruction to Titus that a pastor needs to have self-control. He shouldn’t be given to uncontrollable outbursts or erratic behavior. If he does exhibit these tendencies, it’s a sure sign the Holy Spirit isn’t producing fruit in his life.

So now it’s time to hold up the mirror to our own lives. Are we exhibiting behavior that’s under control, or have we slipped into a pattern of acting irresponsibly in the name of spirituality? Again, a Spirit-filled Christian will be a self-controlled Christian, and I pray our lives are defined by God’s definition of spirituality.

For a bishop must be…holy…. Titus 1:7-8 (NKJV)

How to be Holy

The Scottish preacher Robert Murray McCheyne once said, "My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness." What truth! If pastors aren’t pressing ahead in the holiness of God, then they’re going to slip back toward the wickedness of the flesh. When this happens, they lose their ability to help others concerning the things of God. Look back at the recent scandals involving ministers’ moral failures, and you’ll see they can all be traced to a lack of holiness in some way.

Maybe at this point you’re thinking, That’s right, Pastor Bob, you preach it! Today’s pastors need to be holy! I agree, but we also need to remember that everyone who belongs to Christ is called to live a holy life:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Holiness is not an optional feature of the Christian life. It must be continually cultivated and expressed in each of us. And Paul tells us in the very next verse how this can be done:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Holiness is the byproduct of two separations. First, we separate ourselves from the influences of the world. We don’t allow ourselves to be conformed (or molded) into the image of what this world wants us to look like. It means we create distance between ourselves and the social standards that define everyone else. Next, we separate ourselves unto God. By spending time in His presence through prayer, worship, and attention to His Word, our minds will be renewed and transformed.

These separations will allow us to understand God’s perfect will for our lives, which, when followed, will lead us down His prescribed path of holiness.

For a bishop must be…sober-minded…. Titus 1:7-8 (NKJV)

Sober or Somber?

A pastor needs to be sober-minded. In other words, he’s calm, sensitive, and deliberate when it comes to the serious things of life. He adjusts his demeanor when the situation requires it so that he’s effective with those whom he serves. If a member of his flock has lost a loved one, he’s not trite or insincere. When someone confesses a struggle with sin, he doesn’t tease, joke, or belittle. A godly minister understands the importance of acting soberly in such cases.

But notice that a bishop should be sober-minded and not somber-minded, and there’s a big difference. Although a sober-minded minister has the ability to be serious, he also knows the proper time for light-heartedness and laughter:

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)

In contrast, a somber-minded minister sees everything as being equally serious, and consequently, he never knows how or when to lighten up. It feels like a funeral every time he stands before the congregation and shares. There’s an unhealthy imbalance in the way he represents the Lord and in the way he interacts with people. Before long this somber spirit infects the congregation, and the church goes into spiritual hibernation.

What about you? Are you sober or somber? Do you know the difference between the serious and the light things of life? Can you ease up and enjoy yourself on a regular basis? Or is everything so serious that you’re constantly weighed down by the worries of the world? It’s high time the church regained its balance between being sober-minded when it comes to serious things and being light-hearted when it comes to things we should enjoy.

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable…. Titus 1:7-8 (NKJV)

How’s Your Hospitality?

I want to draw attention to an important aspect of our faith that’s often overlooked-hospitality. Hospitality? Is that even in the Bible? Does God really care about something like that? Yes, He does. So much so that it’s listed here as one of the qualifying characteristics of a bishop. And this isn’t the only place.

Consider its importance in the Old Testament. Hospitality played a pivotal part in the way God revealed the promise of Isaac to Abraham (Genesis 18:4). The widow of Zarephath extended a little bit of hospitality toward Elijah, and it resulted in miraculous provision and the resurrection of her son (1 Kings 17:8).

Hospitality also played an important role in the life of Christ. He was a frequent guest at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38). Zacchaeus’ hospitality opened the door for a powerful work of redemption and restoration (Luke 19:6). And the Last Supper was made possible through an anonymous act of hospitality (Matthew 26:18).

The importance of hospitality reached a new level in the life of the early church. Where would Paul have been apart from the hospitality of the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:19)? Cornelius’ hospitable invitation to Peter paved the way for the Gentiles to gain recognition and acceptance in the early church (Acts 10:24). And Paul’s missionary career was furthered by the hospitality of many followers, namely Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2), and Philip (Acts 21:8).

Maybe we won’t go down in history as an Abraham or an Elijah. We’ll never come close to the accomplishments of Christ. And we probably won’t have the same impact as Peter or Paul. But all of us have the ability to exercise hospitality in some way. A heart open to the things of God will be reflected by an open home. How’s your hospitality?

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money…. Titus 1:7 (NKJV)

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Money. Over the years it has proven to be one of the most prolific pitfalls for pastors. It’s so easy for a man in ministry to allow greed to wedge its foot in the door of his heart and to lose focus on the fact that he’s simply a steward of God’s resources. A pastor needs to shut and deadbolt his heart’s door against the inquisitive, yet persistent, knocking of greed. If he doesn’t, it’s only a matter of time before he loses his reputation as a man of God, his reward that awaits him in heaven, and the reliance of those entrusted to his care.

This responsibility doesn’t end at the pulpit but extends to the pew. What good is a church with a pastor of moral integrity if the congregation is greedy for money? It certainly won’t bring honor or glory to God. James nailed this tragic tendency within all of us:

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:1-4 (NKJV)

The body of Christ should be the one place where a person’s net worth doesn’t make a difference. It should be an environment where all are loved and valued without partiality, and that will only happen as we shut the door on the greed that crouches at our hearts.