Verse 5 - "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-"
We have here our main topic. Titus' current mission of getting elders set up in Crete to help run things. Appointing others to help with the work. No one man should do God's calling alone. We are meant to have help. Where something is needed or lacking, God will provide. He will because He is the living God, able and willing.
Titus had a handful of problems to deal with in Crete. This was something no man should tackle alone which is why he needed help. To delegate work, he needed worthy men that he could trust that would uphold the responsibilities God had given.
Versus 10-16 shows just what the situation looked like and what needed to be attended to. It had quite the list that would make any pastor today a bit nervous. How much more so for the early Christians of that day.
There was a problem with people who had grown up as Jews and believed themselves to be pious and holy. Self-righteous I believe is the term here. It wasn't just Jews, but they were the majority in this group. It is a problem that continues to follow all of God's children today. The sad part is that in this case, many of them were more than insubordinate. They were selfish gossipers who strove to get people to agree with them simple because they didn't want to be wrong or because they were wanting to gain something.
Those type of people are actually very dangerous. They can cause who families to turn from God with facts or ideas that are not based on God or His Truth. Reminds me of politics today. How many politicians try to say that something horrible will happen if we do this or don't stop that person because it happened in the past. Then they incorrectly cite some event in past history, twisting it for their own goals. This is done also with the Bible and is very dangerous to our spiritual welfare and community spirit.
In Crete, there was a person who became a prophet for such a group. He was leading people astray and causing disharmony, and Paul told Titus that he needed to be rebuked sharply. Not kicked out of the church. Not humiliated or persecuted. Simply rebuked - very strongly. We have a tendency to pass judgment on others when that is not our job. We should guide and work to keep those who go astray close to us so that they have a way back in. In the case of this man, there was the added worry of stories and basically church tradition. Something that has plagued God's people no matter how many times they attempt to reform.
Not that there is anything wrong with church doctrine. However it can be misused and placed higher than Bible study. To those who are honestly searching for God's will and are pure in heart, they need not worry if they are eating the wrong foods or studying the wrong way. However those who are of bad temperament that do all the things we have just gone through of not to do. Those who don't believe God's word. Verse 16 says it clearest, "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."
This is a place where I am study God's Word for myself. I am a bit of a historian so also including some research into the culture of the times and people that I come across as I read the Bible will be here too. This is just a way for me to share what I learn with others as well as feel like I am being held accountable for keeping up with my devotions. I am lazy by nature and need that small check and balance.
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