It looks like in Colorado we are arriving at Halloween without any snow fall in lower elevations. As a matter of fact, the temperatures in Fort Collins probably felt warmer than we are experiencing in Atlanta. We got up before sunrise to go to another football game for Mason and Carter. The weather was on the cold side and our team played accordingly. They experienced their first loss of the season during their “homecoming” game.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “‘This was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were proud and had plenty of food and lived in great comfort, but she did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49 NCV

Sodom in scripture became figurative of sin and God’s judgment. As the prophet addresses the idolatry and sins of God’s people he speaks of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. God views the idolatry of His people like the sin of prostitution. They had rejected the Lord who had rescued them from their slavery in Egypt and continually sought after other gods and gave themselves to all forms of disobedience and sin.

Their generations of idolatry and rebellion, and refusing to heed the warnings of the prophets led them experience captivity by evil nations whose lives and standards by which they lived. This time proved to be God’s discipline until they were brought back to the land. As Ezekiel speaks to the sins of Israel and Judah, the Lord point out the fatal sins beneath their rebellion.

What we in God’s people is what we find in many lives today; the issue isn’t always the issue. In my work with Teen Challenge we consistently found that substance abuse was related to some underlying causes rooted in family or personal history, crisis or other issues. For Judah, their sins made them as wicked as Sodom because of three underlying issues: pride, plenty of food and ease.

Those may not sound all that bad. Often pride comes from great accomplishments and proven, well-developed abilities. Having plenty of food, especially in an agrarian society provides a lot of security. Having a life of ease and comfort seems to be what people dream about and view with envy.

However, these formed the seedbed of sin and rebellion against the Lord. The believed they didn’t need God on one hand and on the other they became callous toward others who were in need. They were self focused, self-reliant and self-absorbed. They were narcissistic people in a narcissistic land.

In pointing to these faults, we find what the Lord’s plan and purpose is for our life, by considering the opposing conduct and attitude.

Scripture warns about pride. We read, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18 NIV) But we see the corollary, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.“ (1 Peter 5:6 NLT) Pride focus on bringing honor to oneself, humility trust the Lord to bring the honor that comes from Him and others at the proper time and in the proper way.

We are not to live only for ourselves, but for others as well. Paul said, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 ESV) One of the consistent Biblical instructions of this outward focus is other believers and the poor. Paul told the Galatians, “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10 NIV)

From the Old Testament to the New we see God’s heart and commitment to the poor. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.“ (Proverbs 19:17 NIV) As Paul was released to proclaim the good news of Christ to the gentiles the apostles had only one request, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.“ (Galatians 2:10 NIV)

Scripture teaches us how to live through the record of good examples and poor examples. We can learn and be challenged by both. When it comes to the seminal sins Judah that brought God’s judgment, we are warned about a life of pride, reliance on own provisions and seeking a life of self-centered comfort. May we commit ourselves to “walk humbly before the Lord” to trust in the security He alone can provide and seek to invest our lives in God’s purposes for the good of others.

We had a good first full day here in Atlanta. Enjoyed biscuits and grits and hanging out with the grand kids. This afternoon Mason and Carter’s football team was in the high school’s homecoming parade. It was a nice event with a lot of people and tons of candy for the kids. A good “Halloween Eve” event.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…The person who sins is the one who will die.…He [who] lives by my rules and obeys my laws faithfully. Whoever does these things is good and will surely live, says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 18:4,9 NCV

I recall over 30 years ago I was in my first pastorate and was asked to visit a relative of some friends, who was facing a terminal illness. This man had a cursory knowledge of faith (some know enough of the Bible to be confused), but had not lead a godly life. As he faced his own mortality, he was haunted by the idea that his own rejection of the Lord, condemned the fate of his children and as a result he could not turn to the Lord because of the life he had lived and guilt and regrets he felt.

Regardless of the reasons, that was his perspective. I visited with him on several occasions and shared scripture about the Lord’s forgiveness and shared verses from the Bible that showed each person was responsible for their own life before the Lord regardless of their family history. In the end, before he died, he committed his life to the Lord.

This man may have been influenced and confused about the scripture that says, “….He [the Lord] punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Numbers 14:18 NIV) But he failed to understand the full context of the Bible and words just before this that say, “The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion…” (Numbers 14:18 NIV)

Ezekiel 18 makes it is clear that the ideas and perspective of people are different from the Lord’s. The Lord says, if a godly person has rebellious children, those children will die in their sin. If wicked people have children that turn to the Lord, they will be saved. The Lord goes on says if the wicked turn from their evil ways and follow the Lord they will be saved and if the righteous turn to evil and become wicked that there “good deeds will not be remembered.”

For the people of Ezekiel’s day and for many in ours the response is, “not fair!” Here is what God says, “But you say, ‘What the Lord does isn’t fair.’ Listen, people of Israel. I am fair. It is what you do that is not fair! …They [each person] will die, because they did wrong… I will judge each of you by what you do, says the Lord God. Change your hearts and stop all your sinning so sin will not bring your ruin.” (Ezekiel 18:25-26;30

What we see is God’s heart for people to come to Him, “I do not really want the wicked to die, says the Lord God. I want them to stop their bad ways and live.” (Ezekiel 18:23 NCV) We see the consistency of scripture with the words of Paul in the New Testament – “God our Savior….wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3-5 NIV)

The Lord in His love, grace and mercy has provided the way for all to “live right” before Him. That is not found in what we “prove” to God, but in accepting what He has “provided” for us through Jesus Christ. His plan is to make the path and the choice clear. One God, who has provided one way, for all people to know the life He alone can provide; both now and for eternity.

In one of the most important verses of the Bible, Paul declares how we were incapable of pleasing and obeying God through our own efforts, so the Lord intervened and did for us, what we are powerless to do for ourselves –  “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” (Romans 8:3 NLT)

The adage is, “God doesn’t have grandchildren, just sons and daughters.” Your parent’s faith can’t save you and their disobedience doesn’t condemn you. Each person’s destiny is decided when they answer the question of Pilate, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” … (Matthew 7:22 ESV) The best choice is to accept what Christ has already provided and to experience His life. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NIV) Choose life!

This morning we got up early and prepared for our trip to Atlanta. We will be visiting Stephan, Nathan, Mason, Carter and Mackenzie for the next four days. We brought Caedmon, (Christian and Bridget’s second son) with us to see his cousins. They waited until the last minute and surprised Caedmon about the trip by showing a video from his cousins in Atlanta breaking the news to him that he was coming for a visit. Of course, that creates a reaction from his siblings. They haven’t learned the “rejoice with those who rejoice” quite yet. 🙂 But Christian, Bridget and two remaining kids are headed to the mountains for a special time this weekend, so hopefully that will help.

We arrived in Atlanta in time to see Mason and Carter’s football game. This is a 6-8 year old team. The parking lot was full and there were even little “cheerleaders” about ages 4-6 (in their little uniforms and even a halftime “show.”) The grand kid’s team was winning 38-20 so we left early to beat the crowd. Welcome to the home of the SEC!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Lord spoke his word to me, saying: …the people of Israel are saying, ‘The vision that Ezekiel sees is for a time many years from now. He is prophesying about times far away.’ “So say to them: ‘The Lord God says this: None of my words will be delayed anymore. What I have said will be done, says the Lord God.’” Ezekiel 12:26-28 NCV

Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied to God’s people before their final days of judgment and complete captivity. Ezekiel was taken captive during the initial wave of exiles to Babylon and still spoke God’s message back to Jerusalem. The voice of these two great prophets sounded the warning over and over, from different vantage points.

They spoke of coming judgment and the need to repent and return to full devotion to the Lord. However, the Lord’s mercy and patience created mockers in Ezekiel’s day just as it will before the Lord returns. Peter writes, “…you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3,4 NIV)

This is what was happening just weeks before God’s final judgment came to Jerusalem through the Babylonians. We read about the attitude of the people and the Lord’s response. ‘The [people say] days go by and every vision comes to nothing’ So say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I will make them stop saying this, and nobody in Israel will use this saying anymore.’ But tell them, ‘The time is near when every vision will come true. (Ezekiel 12:22,23 NCV)

Jeremiah preached for years, so did Ezekiel. Both men were used by the Lord in some dramatic ways to get the people’s attention. But soon, their response to the message turned from refusing to listen and respond to contempt and intolerance and eventually persecution.

What lead to this? The people misunderstood the meaning of God’s delay. As time worn on the ears and hearts of the people became hardened. They even failed to see the connection between the words of the prophets to events that had already taken place and failed to realize “something worse” was happening. The Lord spoke to Ezekiel about these people,

“They have eyes to see, but they do not see, and they have ears to hear, but they do not hear, because they are a people who refuse to obey.”  (Ezekiel 12:2 NCV)

Then we see the spiritual confusion brought by false prophets. It was not just the Lord’s prophets who were speaking to the people. There were other “prophets” whom the people listen to and were complicit in the people’s disobedience and continued to lull them into complacency. The Lord spoke and said, “…How terrible it will be for the foolish prophets who follow their own ideas and have not seen a vision from me!…they lead my people the wrong way by saying, “Peace!” when there is no peace. “ (Ezekiel 13:3-4,10 NCV)

I am reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy centuries later, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV)

Finally, we see the people had convinced themselves that God doesn’t know or notice what they are doing. “…have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the dark? Have you seen each man in the room of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord doesn’t see us. The Lord has left the land.’”  (Ezekiel 8:12,13 NCV) The Lord showed Ezekiel God’s people with their backs toward the Temple, worshiping the sun. The Lord revealed their “hateful things and violence” that had filled the land. In all that they were doing they either believed the Lord didn’t see or care or that they were “on their own” and so it didn’t matter. But they had to come to these conclusions while shutting out the voice of the Lord through His prophets.

The message and warning for us and for our day, is to take God and His Word seriously. Many fall into the trap of believing that if what they are doing is “not right” that God will instantly “strike them dead.” I’m glad God doesn’t do that…nobody would be around. But this twisted view of God lulls people in our world today into complacency and apathy.

We need to remember that what the Lord has said will happen…will happen. Throughout time there has been confusion and distortion about the Lord’s return and “who the anti-Christ” is or will be. Some people fall prey to the “chicken little” syndrome. They don’t something happen and their hearts become hard and they become cynical.

Then remember the Lord’s knows our “ways” and our actions. He knows our hearts and where we place our trust and confidence. The Lord spoke through Jeremiah, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.“ (Jeremiah 16:17 NIV)  David declared, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.“ (Psalm 69:5 ESV) We need to be open to the Lord’s message when it confronts more than comforts.

In the book of Ezekiel the Lord makes reference to the righteousness of Noah, Daniel and Job. (Ezekiel 14:14,20) When we reflect on the lives of these men, we can observe they “took God seriously.” They trusted in the Lord, obeyed and remained faithful. As we live in challenging days and in a world that in many ways is “headed for destruction” we need to remember the day of the Lord is approaching faster than what we may realize.

I had a couple of appointments with some hospital executives in Denver today. It was a special opportunity to learn of their background and some of the challenges they face, and how I can provide some support to them when it comes to public policy issues.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past.”      1 Peter 1:14 NCV

As I was completing my read through 1 Peter, I took note of the various “audiences” that he addresses. Of course all that Peter addresses has application for all believers, and the verses below are just a “sampling” of Peter’s words but they are a good summary.

To the Church – “I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul…Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.”  (1 Peter 2:11,16 NCV) 

“…all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8 NCV)

“Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith.”  (1 Peter 5:8,9 NCV)

To Slaves – “…yield to the authority of your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and kind, but also those who are dishonest.”  (1 Peter 2:18 NCV)

To Wives of Unbelieving Husbands –  “…you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God’s teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone’s saying a word to them.“ (1 Peter 3:1 NCV)

To Husbands –  “…Husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way…show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you…” (1 Peter 3:7 NCV)

To Those Who Suffer – “…Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory...So those who suffer as God wants should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is right.…God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling.” (1 Peter 4:13,19; 5:10 NCV)

To Elders – “…shepherd God’s flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money.” (1 Peter 5:2 NCV)

To the Young – “…younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other.”   (1 Peter 5:2 NCV)

To Those Who Worry –  “Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NCV)

When we come to Christ, the Lord call us to a new life. It impacts who we are and what we do. It impacts those who in various stages of life and who face various situations. Peter is the disciple we know that most about; he is the one who learned from his failures. As he speaks to believers who are facing persecution and shows his concern for God’s people his background and experience should help us appreciate his word and perspective. We need to remember that God’s Word is sufficient to speak to us and challenge us in our day to day lives.

A good start to my day with listening to a challenging devotional and a time of prayer with some of our elected leaders. I had an appointment with my palliative care nurse and then a “Pastor Appreciation” lunch at MacKenzie Place Retirement facility. This afternoon I attended a Natural Gas Symposium at CSU, so it was a fairly full day. But compared to being home-bound, I’m not complaining.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him.”  1 Peter 2:23 NCV

Our human nature is to defend ourselves, fight back and get even when we are wronged. Christ calls us to a higher standard and a different approach in life. When we are threatened, insulted and misjudged it is difficult to remain silent. I am reminded of the words of James, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19 NIV) As we look at 1 Peter 2, we are reminded that….

Christ is our example. “This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did.” (1 Peter 2:21 NCV) When we do face insults and persecution for the cause of Christ, we need to be confident that our situation is seen by God. Peter says of Christ, “He let God…take care of him.” 

God is pleased when we endure. “…if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.”           (1 Peter 2:20 NCV) God does not delight in our pain, but He is pleased with our obedience and our faithfulness and our perseverance in the face of opposition.

We need to live today with the end in view. “…Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.” (1 Peter 2:12 NCV) It is difficult to be patient and to allow someone to see that God’s ways are the best. We want more immediate and timely vindication. But as we keep our eyes on the Lord and stay faithful, we can have the confidence that when Christ returns, those who rejected Christ will be the ones with regrets. We also need to remember that our goal is not to “win an argument” it is to see lives changed by God’s grace and love.

Keeping our focus on the Lord, makes the difference. “A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased.” (I Peter 2:19 NCV) When we suffer, we tend to focus on our pain or on the source of our pain; but if we can look past that and focus on the Lord, He will give us the strength that is needed to be true over-comers.

In many ways it is difficult for us to connect with the type of persecution that the recipients of Peter’s letter were experiencing. They did not live in a country that valued freedom and personal rights. Kings were ruthless and evil and yet Peter said, they should be respected and honored.

In our world today, we see that many who follow Christ do so in a hostile environment. Some of that can take place in families and communities in our county. However, we realize in many places, believers may not just faced the ridicule of just words, but the threat of their physical safety. With that in mind it is important for us to give thanks for the land in which we live. It is important for us to be steadfast in our obedience to the Lord and lives we live. It is important for us to pray for persecuted Christians around the world.

After a morning breakfast meeting, I had a fitness center workout and then a massage later in the afternoon. That might have been a good combination. I found it interesting that my left arm and shoulder seem stronger now than my right. That is different from when I was released from the hospital and the greatest concern was about the weakness and range of motion in my left arm. There always seem to be interesting developments on the road to recovery.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10 NCV

Forrest Gump told his childhood girlfriend Jenny, “I know what love is.” I am sure there are many others who would claim they “know what love is.” But regardless of how much we know or have experienced about “love” it falls short of truly understanding love. It is also, one thing to have an “understanding” of love, it is another to incorporate what we understand into our lives.

Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to, “love the Lord God with all you heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 NIV) John in his first letter reinforces Jesus’ words. He writes, “This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we love each other, just as he commanded. The people who obey God’s commands live in God, and God lives in them…” (1 John 3:23,24 NCV) We see that John says loving God equal obeying God, living in His truth and loving others.

John let’s us know that “love” is a verb. It is reflected in action. “My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.” (1 John 3:18 NCV) 

Our love for God is reflect in walking in His truth and in how we treat others. God demonstrated His love by Jesus coming to die for our sins (John 3:16) and our love is shown in self sacrifice and our treatment of others. “This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16 NCV)

John says our love for others is a reflection of our love for God. Those two aspects are like two sides of the same coin, they can’t be separated. “Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen. And God gave us this command: Those who love God must also love their brothers and sisters.”  (1 John 4:20,21 NCV)

This love is practical in its application, and it is a test and evidence of our love for God, “Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person.”       (1 John 3:17 NCV)

The challenge of loving God, is when we come into relationship with God, we come into relationship with His “family” and those God loves. It is like being a part of a “blended family”  or understanding we have all been “adopted” into the same family. Our actions and love for others is to reflect how God loved us. He accepted us unconditionally and through His love for us has changed our lives. We have the same opportunity as we invest in the lives of others. Outside of God, we really don’t know what love is.

I attended the late service at Timberline Church today. At the end of the service a family came forward to greet me. Some months ago, they had me pray with them about a pending adoption. The were looking for the opportunity to reconnect and introduce me to Samuel, their newly adopted son. What a joy to give thanks for the Lord’s faithfulness, and pray a prayer of blessing on this family. They made the comment about the first time I prayed with them saying, “Sometimes when you can’t pray for yourself, you need others to have faith for you.” Boy can I relate to that with the history of my health crisis.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But if someone obeys God’s teaching, then in that person God’s love has truly reached its goal.”  1 John 2:5 NCV

While we can not grasp the endlessness of God’s love, John is clear in communicating the goal of God’s love for our life. It is simply that we obey Him. We agree with God’s Word, what He says about our life and the solution to the problem of separation from Him. The solution is found in placing our faith in Christ, entering into relationship with Him in a way that transforms our life.

Have you noticed that couples who are married for a long time, seem to reflect more things in common than not? That relationship of love and their closeness over the years is reflected in their actions. Perhaps you have noticed the same between a Father and a son. I recall, a young adult son who had some of the same mannerisms as his father. Since the son had been adopted, I knew it was not genetics. Often times a father will be reflected in a son or a mother in her daughter. John says, “Since you know that Christ is righteous, you know that all who do right are God’s children.” (1 John 2:29 NCV) Our lives are to reflect the nature of the Father who is in us.

It is John, who in his gospel records Jesus’ words, “If you love me, obey my commandments.“ (John 14:15 NLT) In the same chapter we read Jesus’ words, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.“ (John 14:23 ESV)

In John’s epistle it is clear that love motivates our behavior. I believe that is something we can all relate to. When you love someone it has an impact on what you do. You desire to please the one you love. Also, when we are a recipient of unconditional love, it impacts our life as well. God’s love for us motivates us to obey and our obedience in turn reflects our love for God.

When you reflect on 1 Corinthians 13, the short chapter on love, you will notice that it is all about action. Love is described by what it does and what it does not do.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.  Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.” (1 Cor 13:4-7)

God has a plan and purpose and goal for our life. At times that is not always clear when it comes to our personal life. But as it relates to the “goal of God’s love” it is clear: we are to obey the Lord’s teachings. This is not a goal that is reached by our striving, it is realized by our trusting.

Last Sunday, we had a Summers family reunion. Today, was somewhat of a Haffner (my mother’s side of the family) family reunion. The occasion was the 100th birthday of my  Aunt Hilda Entz ( she is one of my mother’s ten sisters; four sisters and five brothers are deceased ). Several family members, many from out of state joined to help my aunt and her family celebrate. The other six sisters who are still living are in their 90’s and 80’s and keep hanging in there facing the challenges of longevity. I’m not sure how my mom and aunts were doing but I was tired by the end of the day.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “To those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ruined. They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.”  Titus 1:15-16 NCV

As a pastor Titus had his work cut out for him. He lived in a challenging culture with challenging people. Paul had left Titus in Crete to solidify the work of the gospel that he had preached. Paul in the opening verses of his letter to Titus says, that his preaching was intended to, “…help the faith of God’s chosen people and to help them know the truth that shows people how to serve God.” (Titus 1:1 NCV)

We see in Paul’s words and the teaching of the apostles, that faith in God is not just what we believe, but it is also related to how we live. Paul writes not to criticize but to confirm what others said about those in Crete, “Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil animals, and lazy people who do nothing but eat.” The words that prophet said are true.” (Titus 1:12,13 NCV)

To be and effective spiritual leader in this climate Titus’ was to focus his efforts on…

1 – Appointing Elders. “…appoint elders in every town, as I directed yous.” (Titus 1:5 NCV) For those who complain about “the organized church” it is important to see that much of scripture is about an organizational structure for God’s people. We see this in both the Old and New Testaments. I also understand that the issue is not the “organization” Per Se, but the conduct of people.

Paul address this as he instructs Titus. Those who were to help with the work of the gospel in various towns were to have lives that would set them apart in character and conduct from the “typical Cretan.”  I like the leadership adage, “the higher the calling the fewer the choices.” It is one thing for the average citizen to be a liar, lazy and glutton, but it is not acceptable for those in a position of spiritual leadership.

2 – Faithful Instruction. “By holding on to the trustworthy word just as we teach it, overseers can help people by using true teaching, and they can show those who are against the true teaching that they are wrong.”  (Titus 1:9 NCV) Paul told Titus, “At the right time God let the world know about that life [eternal life and a life that pleases God] through preaching.” (Titus 1:3 NCV) God has used the same approach through history, the declaration of God’s truth to see lives changed and to challenge people in their faith and conduct.

3 – Courage to Rebuke. “…firmly tell those people they are wrong so they may become strong in the faith, not accepting Jewish false stories and the commands of people who reject the truth.” (Titus 1:13,14 NCV) In our day of relative truth, it is not popular to tell someone they are wrong. But if someone’s direction in life places them in danger, you would want to warn them they are headed for disaster. Titus and the Elders he was appointing had the spiritual responsibility to let people know when they were being influenced by teachings that did not line up with God’s truth and were from those with impure motives.

4 – Promoting Godly Conduct. “They say they know God, but their actions show they do not accept him. They are hateful people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16 NCV) Paul lets Titus know that “knowing about God” and faith in God are two different things.

Our faith in God will empower us to live according to God’s truth. Paul warned about those whose “minds and conscious has been ruined.” What is the evidence? Their character and conduct is in contrast to the character of God. They hate instead of love. They refuse to obey, rather than submit to God’s truth. The are self-centered and self-absorbed, only concerned about their needs and are useless “for doing anything good.”

I wonder how many modern “Cretans” we encounter today? First of all, we have a duty to examine our own lives. Are we living a life of faith and truth that is borne out in our actions? Do we possess the hope in the eternal that helps maintain an “upward look” as we live “down here?”

We also need to allow the Lord to use us to influence others. When we live by faith and God’s truth we set our lives apart from others. Not in some kind of spiritual arrogance, but just by virtue of where we place our faith and hope. We need to share God’s truth and be willing to sound warnings to those whose lives are in spiritual danger. Lastly, we need to be on guard against those who says they, “know God” but their character and conduct is opposite of the character of God.