The Spirit of the Age

In Titus 1, Paul wrote a letter to Titus who he considered a son in the faith. He spoke to him about qualified elders as he left him in Crete, so that he should set things in order and appoint elders in every city. The requirement for an elder was one who was a faithful father and husband and whose children were not rebellious or immoral. The office of the Bishop should be occupied by someone who was blameless and who was an ambassador for God. He should not be someone with a hot temper, a drunkard, violent or greedy for money. He should be hospitable, someone who loves doing good, sober minded, just and holy. He should be someone who understood and lived the word and who could also teach the word to convict others of wrong doing. Paul’s frustration was that there were many of the circumcised brethren, who were idle talkers, deceptive and unruly. He felt that they needed to be stopped from teaching false doctrines, as they were leading many families astray for their own dishonest gain. 

“One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons””‭‭ (Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬). Paul felt that this description of some of the brethren was true and so he wanted Titus to be sharp in his rebuke. This was to develop soundness in their faith and not be persuaded by Jewish fables and man made beliefs from people who had strayed from the truth. He said that to those who were pure, all things appeared pure, but to those who were defiled and unbelieving, nothing seemed pure as their minds and consciences are defiled. They claimed to know God but their works denied him as they were abominable, disobedient and unable to do good. Paul then outlined the qualities of a sound church in chapter 2. He urged Titus to teach doctrine which was good for spiritual growth. Older men should be sober, reverent, calm tempered, sound in faith, love and patience. The older women should also be reverent in their behaviour, not slanderous, not a drunkard and should set a good example. They should teach young women how to love their husbands and children. 

They should teach younger woman to be self-controlled, pure, good home makers and submissive to their husbands. This was so that the name of God would not be blasphemed. Young men should be taught to be sober minded and in all things demonstrating good conduct and show integrity and dignity. His speech should be sound and not likely for condemnation, so that even his enemies will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about him. Workers should be taught to obey their leaders and demonstrate respect. They should be honest and be trustworthy and good. This way people will be attracted to the light and want to know God. We should be trained by the grace of God which brings salvation, to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, living soberly, righteously and godly in this present age. We wait for the blessed hope and the return of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. He died to redeem us from sin and purified us as his own special people with the zeal to do good.  “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you” (Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬).

I wonder what Paul’s letters would say to the 21st century church, whose backsliding and love of materialism is so great. Many of our churches have been taken over by greed, pride, sexual immorality, impurity and worldliness. The sad reality is that this is also found in our pulpits and among those who are appointed to lead. I know that there are many who are set apart, but in some spaces, people cannot differentiate between the world and the church. Our desire to blend in with the culture for acceptance, has resulted in carnality and backsliding. Our churches need to hold people accountable and continue to teach that the wages of sin is death. Yes, we are saved by grace, but we cannot take the grace of God for granted. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound”‭‭(Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬)? Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle and no sin can enter heaven. The church needs to stop apologising and teach people to fear God. Hold ministers, worship leaders and musicians accountable and stop worshipping them like mini gods or celebrities. We must not bend to the spirit of the age and teach righteousness and sound doctrine. “let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬).

Anneta Pinto-Young