WE ARE WHAT WE SEE August 26, 2020

Today’s Word is something that works like a mirror of human behavior.  In the first chapter of the Apostle Paul’s letter to his co-minister Titus, whom he has appointed to take care of the church in Crete (verses 1 to 5), we learn that then and even now, there are a lot of oppositions and detractors to the church.  And these people often spread false teachings and ungodly doctrines that only seek to discredit the faith and destroy the reputation of GOD’s people. 

 

And so the Apostle reminded Titus to do the following in order to be a proper and responsible steward of the faith and the body of Christ which is under his care:

1. To choose church leaders and elders that are of outstanding, godly character, who have proven leadership skills not only in church but also of their families, and who are able to hold fast and remain faithful to the Word which they have been taught (verses 6 to 10)

2.  To rebuke those who spread false teachings and controversies, slander and libel, and instead discipline and strengthen them so they may become sound in the faith (verses 11 to 13)

3.  To not listen to hearsays, fables and intrigues which only weaken the faith, turn the person away from the truth, and though outwardly may seem to make the person feel knowledgeable and holy, but actually are acts of disobedience, abomination and moral corruption (verses 14 and 16).

 

Finally, the Apostle declared unto Titus that which he must be watchful of, because it is something that is at the heart of all misunderstandings, conflicts and wars: “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 corrupted.” (verse 15)

 

We see here that in all our interactions with people, whatever we and they say, do, and think about people and situations, are actually reflections of who we and they are inside.  We are able to make good friends with people who believe that life is good and a blessing, and who view other people as blessings from GOD too.  Meanwhile, sometimes we don’t understand but we feel distant or even outright hostile with people who only view other people as annoyances because they too are not able to get joy out of their own lives, and therefore are either envious or resentful of others who do.

 

As people who have been entrusted with GOD’s Word, all of us have the duty like Titus, to make the gospel known to the world, in order to bring GOD’s message of hope and deliverance, and eternal life to all people, particularly those who need such encouragement during these times.  Therefore it is also our responsibility to try to correct people’s wrong way of thinking about life, just because they have a wrong view of GOD.  It might be peaceful for us, but to just keep silent and let people continue to think and live the lies of the enemy is not a conduct of someone who is keeping the faith and the Word faithfully.

 

May we heed the Apostle’s admonition to rebuke lovingly, and more than being a peacemaker as being an identity of GOD’s children, may we also try our best to make the truth of GOD known so that people will be aware and will have the chance to live it too.  May our lives be a reflection of GOD’s goodness and grace every day, even His loving discipline and wise admonitions to a blinded, miserable and desperate world, so that people will see Him at work in us.  Because all of us are actually people who see others the way we see ourselves, the way we can only love our neighbor the way we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39), may we continue steadfast in the faith, be diligent in our ministry and our calling, and make people come to see GOD’s will, influence and direction over our lives and our affairs, so they can experience it too.