DEC 6

Titus 1:9
Memorise James 5:20
“…he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way…”

Many of us have been in physical fights or squabbles with a sibling or friend. What feelings or emotions led to it? What did you hope to achieve, something noble? Did Christ and His disciples ever use physical violence to quell opposition? Christ never taught His disciples to use violence, nor should we. Our objective in relation to unbelievers – enemies of God – is conversion. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). In the New Testament, believers battle against God’s enemies by the preaching and teaching of the Word, and by their living testimonies. In Titus 1:9, Paul instructs Titus to use the pure doctrine that he had been taught, as his weapons to strongly encourage, urge and ultimately convince those who oppose Christ. The task to exhort and convince would not be an easy one. Titus would face opposition and discouragement. He would need to hold tightly to sound doctrine, not letting anyone or anything take it away from him, nor letting it go, ever. Because it is sound doctrine that would convert the soul and ‘defeat’ the power of sin over the converted.

Often what causes us to want to fight or get involved in a conflict is anger motivated by pride, and the belief that a personal injustice has been committed. It is about self, rather than Christ when in fact it should be the opposite. Whilst we may not ever be placed in a position to physically fight, nor want to, are you guilty of being derisive of unbelievers’ values, customs and beliefs? Do you love to argue to prove yourself right? This demonstrates self-righteousness and spiritual pride rather than righteousness and spiritual love. This should never be the case. As believers, we must always be humble, and in love seek out opportunities whereby we can reach out to the unbelievers around us. We never trust in the arm of flesh, but we must steadfastly trust in the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to transform someone. In this concluding devotion on the pastoral epistles we see the importance of sound doctrine as a reoccurring theme. Without pure doctrine, pastors, believers and the church are powerless.

Thought: Has your knowledge and view of sound doctrine changed over the course of the study of the New Testament?
Prayer: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15)