This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:11
11 For [gar] the grace [charis] of God [theos] that bringeth salvation [soterion] hath appeared [epiphaino] to all [pas] men [anthropos], KJV-Interlinear
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, NASB
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Grace means favor. Favor means several things. First, it means to grant or provide something for another. Second, it means to have an approving or friendly attitude toward another. Third, it means to provide preferential treatment toward another.
And that is what mature Christians receive from God – His favor, His preferential treatment, His focused attention, His special gifts.
Christians are those who have believed in the Son, the Savior, the unique person of the universe, Jesus Christ.
Mature believers, that is, spiritually mature believers, are those who have advanced to spiritual maturity, through the fires and tests which God administers in their lives.
And remember, Jesus Christ controls history. There is no test, no situation, no set of circumstances that can occur in your life, in which God does not have total control over. Your lack of faith, your lack of spiritual focus, is the only thing that can stand in the way of your spiritual success in this life.
Whether rich or poor, whether beautiful or ugly, whether king or slave, no matter what your situation is in life, no matter when or where you have lived in history or in this world, God has provided the knowledge of salvation to everyone.
From the time after the flood, when Noah taught the sacrifice rituals and doctrines to his sons, and they in turn taught their children, and even as cultures moved about the world, these teachings went with them. And even if distorted later in history, they still taught the fundamental principles for salvation to everyone.
You cannot go anywhere on the planet today, and find someone who has not heard of Christ.
God has shown favor to all of humanity, a common favor which we call common grace, in the form of salvation available to all. No one is left out of the salvation plan of God.
And because we all will leave this world one day, salvation is the single most important decision that anyone can make. It means the difference between an eternity in the Lake of Fire, and an eternity in Heaven.
Who you are, what you do, what you are capable of, what you possess in this life, what accomplishments you have acquired, all are totally irrelevant.
If you are poor, then getting angry at the bad cards you have been dealt in life, is a misguided anger.
If you are wealthy, then thinking highly of your accomplishment, is a misguided ego.
In all things, you should look up to God for counsel, and conduct your life accordingly.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Titus 2:9-10
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:9-10
9 Exhort servants [doulos] to be obedient [hupotasso] unto their own [idios] masters [despotes], and to [einai] please them well [euarestos] in [en] all [pas] things; not [me] answering again [antilego];
10 Not [me] purloining [nosphizomai], but [alla] shewing [endeiknumi] all [pas] good [agathos] fidelity [pistis]; that [hina] they may adorn [kosmeo] the doctrine [didaskalia] of God [theos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter] in [en] all things [pas]. KJV-Interlinear
9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. NASB
The word for servants, ‘doulos,’ refers to all categories of servants, employees, hired labor, contract labor, and so forth. These include people who have entered into a relationship with a master (employer) either by voluntary or involuntary means.
Anyone who has entered into a relationship of labor, of their own volition or were somehow forced into the circumstances of slavery, are to abide by the terms of the arrangement, whatever those terms are, so long as they are legal and right.
This does not mean that that the master (employer) has the rights of a tyrant, to do with the subordinate person as he pleases.
Note that the Bible does not take up issue with ones chosen cultural style. So if you choose to have a beard, wear long dresses, use high tech to the max, drive a buggy or a jag, these things make no difference to your spiritual life or to your spiritual growth.
Not everyone is going to be a mountain climber, a doctor, or a candlestick maker. Again, your vocation is never an issue in your spiritual life. Everyone has free choices and opportunities to follow their life's interests.
Whether free man or slave, is irrelevant as well.
God placed us all in this world and God placed us all in many different situations. These things were done in order to glorify God, not you.
No person has the right to presume that their successes and achievements and acquired status’s in life are of their own doing. They are not. God gives and God removes. No one has anything that did not come from God.
You were not placed in this world in order to be first in this class, first in the race, first in anything, to acquire massively for your own benefit alone. Although, and I emphasize, although, it is not wrong per se to pursue these things in life.
Remember our study of reservoirs? God established reservoirs of all sorts for things for the perpetuation and support of humanity.
From large deposits of oil and coal, to a large atmosphere of air surrounding the planet, to people of ability for accumulating wealth which leads to jobs and commerce, to gravity, to the universe, to genetics, to the divine establishment principles that keeps humanity afloat, to imagination and technology and innovation, to just about anything you can think of. God has made these things for your benefit.
A rich man has one set of rules that govern him. A poor man has the same set of rules. Both have to be fair and honest from their respective positions.
Both will die and both bodies will rot equally without prejudice from the worms. Both will enter heaven, or worse, and both will be confronted with the same set or rules (again) from God.
To be argumentative, to cheat, to try to gain some advantage over someone else, is contrary to Gods instruction. If your gains come at the expense of another, then your gains are ill-gained.
But look around us today, far too many are swarming like piranha around those who are losing their homes through foreclosure, through short sale schemes, through hard money loan sharking. Far too many cheat in life with impunity, for their own selfish gain. And to what end?
Everyone will soon leave this world, and what they have, will be lost instantly.
So whether slave or rich man, your life depends not on your circumstances, not on your inability to make ends meet, not on your ability to scheme better than the next guy, but on the content of your soul with respect to Gods Word.
God is glorified when He demonstrates that no matter what a persons circumstances in this devils world, and the devil has been given wide latitude in running the world, that God can take any set of situations and bring anyone to spiritual maturity.
And in so doing, and this is the whole point of the study, God can bring any person to phenomenal success for eternity.
Our destiny is not in this world, but in the next. But too, that does not mean that we do not do our very best with the gifts that God has given each of us.
Who do you know that is alive now, and is over 150 years old, or over 200 years old, or is a 1000 years old? No one. Where are all of the many hundreds of billions of people who have been born since Adam and Eve? Where are they? Not here, and that is for sure.
Where are your great-great-great grandparents? Dead. Where will you be when you reach your eightieth, or ninetieth, or one-hundredth birthday? You will most likely be dead.
If God has placed you in the position of slave, or diaper changer, or financial wizard, the blame or credit is not yours. You are neither a better nor worse person for your situation.
What you have no excuse for, is your lack for spiritual growth, because that is by your choice.
When you arrive at the pearly gates, heaven does not check your balance sheet or your membership cards, or your empty pockets. Heaven checks only the content of your soul.
How you conduct yourself in this life is a reasonable reflection of the status of your spiritual life. And by the way, you are not here to check up on anyone else. People will make mistakes along the way and they should be given the opportunity to correct their own mistakes.
You check up on yourself and keep your own house in order.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:9-10
9 Exhort servants [doulos] to be obedient [hupotasso] unto their own [idios] masters [despotes], and to [einai] please them well [euarestos] in [en] all [pas] things; not [me] answering again [antilego];
10 Not [me] purloining [nosphizomai], but [alla] shewing [endeiknumi] all [pas] good [agathos] fidelity [pistis]; that [hina] they may adorn [kosmeo] the doctrine [didaskalia] of God [theos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter] in [en] all things [pas]. KJV-Interlinear
9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. NASB
The word for servants, ‘doulos,’ refers to all categories of servants, employees, hired labor, contract labor, and so forth. These include people who have entered into a relationship with a master (employer) either by voluntary or involuntary means.
Anyone who has entered into a relationship of labor, of their own volition or were somehow forced into the circumstances of slavery, are to abide by the terms of the arrangement, whatever those terms are, so long as they are legal and right.
This does not mean that that the master (employer) has the rights of a tyrant, to do with the subordinate person as he pleases.
Note that the Bible does not take up issue with ones chosen cultural style. So if you choose to have a beard, wear long dresses, use high tech to the max, drive a buggy or a jag, these things make no difference to your spiritual life or to your spiritual growth.
Not everyone is going to be a mountain climber, a doctor, or a candlestick maker. Again, your vocation is never an issue in your spiritual life. Everyone has free choices and opportunities to follow their life's interests.
Whether free man or slave, is irrelevant as well.
God placed us all in this world and God placed us all in many different situations. These things were done in order to glorify God, not you.
No person has the right to presume that their successes and achievements and acquired status’s in life are of their own doing. They are not. God gives and God removes. No one has anything that did not come from God.
You were not placed in this world in order to be first in this class, first in the race, first in anything, to acquire massively for your own benefit alone. Although, and I emphasize, although, it is not wrong per se to pursue these things in life.
Remember our study of reservoirs? God established reservoirs of all sorts for things for the perpetuation and support of humanity.
From large deposits of oil and coal, to a large atmosphere of air surrounding the planet, to people of ability for accumulating wealth which leads to jobs and commerce, to gravity, to the universe, to genetics, to the divine establishment principles that keeps humanity afloat, to imagination and technology and innovation, to just about anything you can think of. God has made these things for your benefit.
A rich man has one set of rules that govern him. A poor man has the same set of rules. Both have to be fair and honest from their respective positions.
Both will die and both bodies will rot equally without prejudice from the worms. Both will enter heaven, or worse, and both will be confronted with the same set or rules (again) from God.
To be argumentative, to cheat, to try to gain some advantage over someone else, is contrary to Gods instruction. If your gains come at the expense of another, then your gains are ill-gained.
But look around us today, far too many are swarming like piranha around those who are losing their homes through foreclosure, through short sale schemes, through hard money loan sharking. Far too many cheat in life with impunity, for their own selfish gain. And to what end?
Everyone will soon leave this world, and what they have, will be lost instantly.
So whether slave or rich man, your life depends not on your circumstances, not on your inability to make ends meet, not on your ability to scheme better than the next guy, but on the content of your soul with respect to Gods Word.
God is glorified when He demonstrates that no matter what a persons circumstances in this devils world, and the devil has been given wide latitude in running the world, that God can take any set of situations and bring anyone to spiritual maturity.
And in so doing, and this is the whole point of the study, God can bring any person to phenomenal success for eternity.
Our destiny is not in this world, but in the next. But too, that does not mean that we do not do our very best with the gifts that God has given each of us.
Who do you know that is alive now, and is over 150 years old, or over 200 years old, or is a 1000 years old? No one. Where are all of the many hundreds of billions of people who have been born since Adam and Eve? Where are they? Not here, and that is for sure.
Where are your great-great-great grandparents? Dead. Where will you be when you reach your eightieth, or ninetieth, or one-hundredth birthday? You will most likely be dead.
If God has placed you in the position of slave, or diaper changer, or financial wizard, the blame or credit is not yours. You are neither a better nor worse person for your situation.
What you have no excuse for, is your lack for spiritual growth, because that is by your choice.
When you arrive at the pearly gates, heaven does not check your balance sheet or your membership cards, or your empty pockets. Heaven checks only the content of your soul.
How you conduct yourself in this life is a reasonable reflection of the status of your spiritual life. And by the way, you are not here to check up on anyone else. People will make mistakes along the way and they should be given the opportunity to correct their own mistakes.
You check up on yourself and keep your own house in order.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Titus 2:7-8
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:7-8
7 In [peri] all things [pas] shewing [parecho] thyself [seautou] a pattern [tupos] of good [kalos] works [ergon]: in [en] doctrine [didaskalia] shewing uncorruptness [adiaphthoria], gravity [semnotes], sincerity [aphtharsia],
8 Sound [hugies] speech [logos], that cannot be condemned [akatagnostos]; that [hina] he that is of [ek] the contrary part [enantios] may be ashamed [entrepo], having [echo] no [medeis] evil [phaulos] thing [medeis] to say [lego] of [peri] you [humon]. KJV-Interlinear
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. NASB
Attending church once a week, attending a study group once a week, reading the Bible however often you read it, thinking that you are a decent person, doing what seems right in your own eyes, are not enough.
At some point in your life, you have to translate the content of the scriptures, into the pattern of your everyday thoughts and actions of life. Faith without work (application to life) is empty. Didn’t we study that recently? You might want to review the Book of James.
Just having the ideas on Biblical instruction in your head, just being aware of them, is not enough.
Intentions, sincerity, having the feelings of being decent are not the spiritual life. They are a pseudo life of a pretended spirituality, or a self defined goodness.
You are to live a pattern of life that is consistent with the teaching of the Bible. And you can only learn what those teachings are, by pursuing a genuine daily study of the Bible.
You will never learn anything if you are emotionally driven by guru’s, sensationalism’s, gimmicks, or what ever happens to be the popular fade of the moment.
What you have come to know in life, what you have come to believe in life more than likely are not consistent with the scriptures. They are probably just your idea of what life should be like in accordance with what you have come to believe, or in accordance with what is convenient to how you want things to be. And through that approach to life, anything can be justified in ones eyes.
Uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech are descriptions of characteristics of the result, repeat, of the result of spiritual growth to maturity. These things do not produce maturity.
Uncorruptness if just that, an unblemished untainted daily life. This is the life that functions from within the fellowship sphere.
Gravity means honesty, respected, esteemed, honored, venerableness. When the angel came to Daniel, he said of Daniel, ‘You are highly esteemed in heaven.’ Daniel conducted his life in accordance with the instructions taught in the scriptures. You could also possess that type of respect from the occupants of heaven. How much higher respect can anyone attain? And though most folks will joke and ridicule about their relationship with heaven, they only demonstrate their stupidity in failure.
Sincerity means genuineness. Your spiritual life is not a phony front, not a pretense, not a convenient crutch to fall back on for appearances. Your spiritual life pursuit is genuine and true.
Sound speech, means whole, or complete. Your comments come from the content of your soul and that content is truth, sound, well established.
All of these things are to become your characteristics such that you will be beyond reproach, your opponents will be put to shame. And this simply means that there is no valid argument anywhere in this evil controlled world, to counter the fundamental foundations on which you base your life.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:7-8
7 In [peri] all things [pas] shewing [parecho] thyself [seautou] a pattern [tupos] of good [kalos] works [ergon]: in [en] doctrine [didaskalia] shewing uncorruptness [adiaphthoria], gravity [semnotes], sincerity [aphtharsia],
8 Sound [hugies] speech [logos], that cannot be condemned [akatagnostos]; that [hina] he that is of [ek] the contrary part [enantios] may be ashamed [entrepo], having [echo] no [medeis] evil [phaulos] thing [medeis] to say [lego] of [peri] you [humon]. KJV-Interlinear
7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. NASB
Attending church once a week, attending a study group once a week, reading the Bible however often you read it, thinking that you are a decent person, doing what seems right in your own eyes, are not enough.
At some point in your life, you have to translate the content of the scriptures, into the pattern of your everyday thoughts and actions of life. Faith without work (application to life) is empty. Didn’t we study that recently? You might want to review the Book of James.
Just having the ideas on Biblical instruction in your head, just being aware of them, is not enough.
Intentions, sincerity, having the feelings of being decent are not the spiritual life. They are a pseudo life of a pretended spirituality, or a self defined goodness.
You are to live a pattern of life that is consistent with the teaching of the Bible. And you can only learn what those teachings are, by pursuing a genuine daily study of the Bible.
You will never learn anything if you are emotionally driven by guru’s, sensationalism’s, gimmicks, or what ever happens to be the popular fade of the moment.
What you have come to know in life, what you have come to believe in life more than likely are not consistent with the scriptures. They are probably just your idea of what life should be like in accordance with what you have come to believe, or in accordance with what is convenient to how you want things to be. And through that approach to life, anything can be justified in ones eyes.
Uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech are descriptions of characteristics of the result, repeat, of the result of spiritual growth to maturity. These things do not produce maturity.
Uncorruptness if just that, an unblemished untainted daily life. This is the life that functions from within the fellowship sphere.
Gravity means honesty, respected, esteemed, honored, venerableness. When the angel came to Daniel, he said of Daniel, ‘You are highly esteemed in heaven.’ Daniel conducted his life in accordance with the instructions taught in the scriptures. You could also possess that type of respect from the occupants of heaven. How much higher respect can anyone attain? And though most folks will joke and ridicule about their relationship with heaven, they only demonstrate their stupidity in failure.
Sincerity means genuineness. Your spiritual life is not a phony front, not a pretense, not a convenient crutch to fall back on for appearances. Your spiritual life pursuit is genuine and true.
Sound speech, means whole, or complete. Your comments come from the content of your soul and that content is truth, sound, well established.
All of these things are to become your characteristics such that you will be beyond reproach, your opponents will be put to shame. And this simply means that there is no valid argument anywhere in this evil controlled world, to counter the fundamental foundations on which you base your life.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Titus 2:6
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:6
6 Young men [neos] likewise [hosautos] exhort [parakaleo] to be sober minded [sophroneo]. KJV-Interlinear
6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; NASB
As we all learn from someone who has already obtained a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject, then we all learn from someone who demonstrates a mature (thorough and objective) behavior in life.
The young are taught by the mature. The ignorant, are taught by the knowledgeable. Those who wish to learn, learn from those who possess the knowledge.
If you seek understanding from someone who does not possess it, then you learn nothing.
The young men, those who have not yet attained the position of maturity, spiritual maturity, must receive their instruction for spiritual growth, and for orientation to life, just as the young women do. From someone who possesses it.
Mature women and mature men, do not automatically obtain wisdom with the mere passing of time. Old does not mean wise, per se.
And here Paul instructs Titus, to urge, impress, make very clear, gain their attention and make sure that they really, really understand. And what are young people to understand?
They are to be sensible, which means they are to take life seriously and treat life as though they are just about to meet their maker.
If you were to die immediately, right now, without warning, are you ready?
That is how you are to live your life. As unto the Lord, as though you are going to meet Him at anytime.
With this attitude, then you will likely take your life and your spiritual status, more seriously. As though it really means something to you.
When life drags on for decades, then there is an easy tendency to loosen up in your spiritual functions, a tendency to relax in your attitude toward Bible study, a tendency to become lax in your alertness, a tendency to slip away from doctrine.
Your daily Bible study, your spiritual life, your spiritual growth is the key to the success, or lack of it, for your life.
Life swirls all around us, and we have a tendency to make all of our daily activities (work, projects, social activities, play, hobbies, goals, etc.) the focus of our life. And we need to understand that all of these things are nothing more then the grace logistics which support our life, so that we have the opportunity to grow up spiritually.
Spiritual growth to maturity is your number one priority. Your work, your career, your social life, your whatever you do or have in life, is there to support your daily living such that you will have the opportunity to advance in your spiritual life.
That is what sensible means. To have a sound mind and a sound hold on life such that you understand what life is all about.
What do the young men do? They play! They play their life away. They look at life as though they are bullet proof, can do anything, can get anything they want, as though life is theirs for the taking.
Not so.
We all live here courtesy of the grace of God. He gave us life and one day, at any moment, He will take it away.
Are you ready? Are you doing what you need to do in order to get ready?
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:6
6 Young men [neos] likewise [hosautos] exhort [parakaleo] to be sober minded [sophroneo]. KJV-Interlinear
6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; NASB
As we all learn from someone who has already obtained a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject, then we all learn from someone who demonstrates a mature (thorough and objective) behavior in life.
The young are taught by the mature. The ignorant, are taught by the knowledgeable. Those who wish to learn, learn from those who possess the knowledge.
If you seek understanding from someone who does not possess it, then you learn nothing.
The young men, those who have not yet attained the position of maturity, spiritual maturity, must receive their instruction for spiritual growth, and for orientation to life, just as the young women do. From someone who possesses it.
Mature women and mature men, do not automatically obtain wisdom with the mere passing of time. Old does not mean wise, per se.
And here Paul instructs Titus, to urge, impress, make very clear, gain their attention and make sure that they really, really understand. And what are young people to understand?
They are to be sensible, which means they are to take life seriously and treat life as though they are just about to meet their maker.
If you were to die immediately, right now, without warning, are you ready?
That is how you are to live your life. As unto the Lord, as though you are going to meet Him at anytime.
With this attitude, then you will likely take your life and your spiritual status, more seriously. As though it really means something to you.
When life drags on for decades, then there is an easy tendency to loosen up in your spiritual functions, a tendency to relax in your attitude toward Bible study, a tendency to become lax in your alertness, a tendency to slip away from doctrine.
Your daily Bible study, your spiritual life, your spiritual growth is the key to the success, or lack of it, for your life.
Life swirls all around us, and we have a tendency to make all of our daily activities (work, projects, social activities, play, hobbies, goals, etc.) the focus of our life. And we need to understand that all of these things are nothing more then the grace logistics which support our life, so that we have the opportunity to grow up spiritually.
Spiritual growth to maturity is your number one priority. Your work, your career, your social life, your whatever you do or have in life, is there to support your daily living such that you will have the opportunity to advance in your spiritual life.
That is what sensible means. To have a sound mind and a sound hold on life such that you understand what life is all about.
What do the young men do? They play! They play their life away. They look at life as though they are bullet proof, can do anything, can get anything they want, as though life is theirs for the taking.
Not so.
We all live here courtesy of the grace of God. He gave us life and one day, at any moment, He will take it away.
Are you ready? Are you doing what you need to do in order to get ready?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Titus 2:5
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 2:5
5 To be discreet [sophron], chaste [hagnos], keepers at home [oikouros], good [agathos], obedient [hupotasso] to their own [idios] husbands [aner], that [hina me] the word [logos] of God [theos] be [blasphemeo] not [hina me] blasphemed [blasphemeo]. KJV-Interlinear
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored. NASB
Along with training and through education, a person is able to develop self control, and that is what ‘sophron’ means. To be in self-control, poise, discreet, to possess a relaxed mental attitude in times of prosperity as well as in times of high stress and trouble.
Chaste means innocent, clean, pure, and this has nothing to do with sex, or bathing often. When one is chaste, one is absent sin. That occurs only when you are in fellowship. Fellowship is obtained when you confess your sins to God the Father (review 1, 2, 3rd Jn.). Fellowship is the environment within which your spiritual life functions. And that is the only realm in which the spiritual life functions.
Keepers at home? Well this obviously means that you should be a good housekeeper. Right? Wrong.
Where is the home? Where the heart is. And where is the heart? It is the soul. And the one who maintains his soul, is the one who furnishes and maintains his own soul. That is accomplished through Bible doctrine.
This is what Paul is telling us, through Titus. People, who are qualified for anything of worth in life, are those who have established themselves through preparation in their spiritual life.
Yes, we are talking about young women here in this passage, but this is the Bible and the Bible gives us all many principles that apply to us all.
Back in those days, the women were typically the housekeepers. But the house was their job or their occupation. As for men, their job is whatever they do in life in work. Whether you dig ditches or build rockets, whether you work with your muscles or with your mind, makes no difference. You are never good at whatever it is that you do, unless you first receive preparation, and I might add, some type of continuing education in your field.
The Bible is not learned in one weekend or on a string of Sunday’s. It is a lifetime commitment to study. And by the way, even if you studied dutifully for your entire life, you would still never learn it all. Doctrine is vast, beyond mans comprehension.
Good is something we have studied many times. Good comes only from God. Good comes only from truth. Good is the production of the spiritual life, and its source is from doctrine. Good is anything you do, from the perspective of the spiritual life (while in fellowship).
Obedient to husbands. Ah, ha, you say. Now she has to do whatever I say.
But not so fast here hoss.
Obedient means many things - compliant, dutiful, submissive, respectful, subservient, well trained, deference, regard. And obedient applies not only to wives, but to children, and to employees, and to us all with respect to doctrine. Training is in view here, and training in the spiritual life to be specific.
When we drive down the road, we are to be obedient to the rules of the road. Are we slaves of the road? No. We recognize the need for the rules, we have respect for others on the road, and therefore we voluntarily comply with the rules of driving in order to facilitate a good driving experience for us all.
Are employees slaves of their boss? No. They abide by the policies of the company, recognizing that its success means they keep their job. A company that fails means what? Layoffs. And note too, that most good companies have broad enough policies and guidelines that most employees have some semblance of freedom to do their job right. Any organization that is micro-managed from the top is doomed to fail.
God does not micro-manage your spiritual life. You have an abundance of freedom to function in your life. Doctrine only serves to enhance your life, and to help you play out your life on the right playing field, not out of bounds somewhere.
And so it is with wives. Trained girls, those who are prepared for life in general, can occupy the role of a wife easily because they have the orientation to life and understand how life works. They are not slaves, but they give deference to their husbands, both of which recognize the respective domains of the other and both stay out of the way of the other when appropriate.
For example, I stay out of the kitchen. That place is not my domain. And in there I have virtually no say. I can certainly make my preferences known, but ask me to cook and you are taking your life into your own hands.
Men have certain things in life that pertain to the masculine side of life. Women have certain things that pertain to the feminine side of life. When men become feminine, when women become masculine, then things get all screwed up.
And this has nothing to do with ones occupation.
Remember that the Bible is truth, and truth applies to everyone no matter when they live or lived in history.
The home is not the ball and chain of the woman only. Many women have professional and non-professional occupations. If you are capable, then you can do it.
Obedience here means respect, preparation, capability, and deference, not slavery.
And obedience here also applies to your spiritual life. Understand obedience to doctrine and you understand the ingredients for life.
Reject obedience to doctrine, and you are shouting out to the world that you are greater than doctrine and Gods plan. The results will be obvious sooner or later.
All of this, and more, are so that the Word of God will not be dishonored by your behavior.
Orientation to life comes first through learning doctrine, understanding doctrine, using doctrine, and finally possessing doctrine in your life. Doctrine is your only source for preparation for life, no matter who or what you are.
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Titus 2:5
5 To be discreet [sophron], chaste [hagnos], keepers at home [oikouros], good [agathos], obedient [hupotasso] to their own [idios] husbands [aner], that [hina me] the word [logos] of God [theos] be [blasphemeo] not [hina me] blasphemed [blasphemeo]. KJV-Interlinear
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored. NASB
Along with training and through education, a person is able to develop self control, and that is what ‘sophron’ means. To be in self-control, poise, discreet, to possess a relaxed mental attitude in times of prosperity as well as in times of high stress and trouble.
Chaste means innocent, clean, pure, and this has nothing to do with sex, or bathing often. When one is chaste, one is absent sin. That occurs only when you are in fellowship. Fellowship is obtained when you confess your sins to God the Father (review 1, 2, 3rd Jn.). Fellowship is the environment within which your spiritual life functions. And that is the only realm in which the spiritual life functions.
Keepers at home? Well this obviously means that you should be a good housekeeper. Right? Wrong.
Where is the home? Where the heart is. And where is the heart? It is the soul. And the one who maintains his soul, is the one who furnishes and maintains his own soul. That is accomplished through Bible doctrine.
This is what Paul is telling us, through Titus. People, who are qualified for anything of worth in life, are those who have established themselves through preparation in their spiritual life.
Yes, we are talking about young women here in this passage, but this is the Bible and the Bible gives us all many principles that apply to us all.
Back in those days, the women were typically the housekeepers. But the house was their job or their occupation. As for men, their job is whatever they do in life in work. Whether you dig ditches or build rockets, whether you work with your muscles or with your mind, makes no difference. You are never good at whatever it is that you do, unless you first receive preparation, and I might add, some type of continuing education in your field.
The Bible is not learned in one weekend or on a string of Sunday’s. It is a lifetime commitment to study. And by the way, even if you studied dutifully for your entire life, you would still never learn it all. Doctrine is vast, beyond mans comprehension.
Good is something we have studied many times. Good comes only from God. Good comes only from truth. Good is the production of the spiritual life, and its source is from doctrine. Good is anything you do, from the perspective of the spiritual life (while in fellowship).
Obedient to husbands. Ah, ha, you say. Now she has to do whatever I say.
But not so fast here hoss.
Obedient means many things - compliant, dutiful, submissive, respectful, subservient, well trained, deference, regard. And obedient applies not only to wives, but to children, and to employees, and to us all with respect to doctrine. Training is in view here, and training in the spiritual life to be specific.
When we drive down the road, we are to be obedient to the rules of the road. Are we slaves of the road? No. We recognize the need for the rules, we have respect for others on the road, and therefore we voluntarily comply with the rules of driving in order to facilitate a good driving experience for us all.
Are employees slaves of their boss? No. They abide by the policies of the company, recognizing that its success means they keep their job. A company that fails means what? Layoffs. And note too, that most good companies have broad enough policies and guidelines that most employees have some semblance of freedom to do their job right. Any organization that is micro-managed from the top is doomed to fail.
God does not micro-manage your spiritual life. You have an abundance of freedom to function in your life. Doctrine only serves to enhance your life, and to help you play out your life on the right playing field, not out of bounds somewhere.
And so it is with wives. Trained girls, those who are prepared for life in general, can occupy the role of a wife easily because they have the orientation to life and understand how life works. They are not slaves, but they give deference to their husbands, both of which recognize the respective domains of the other and both stay out of the way of the other when appropriate.
For example, I stay out of the kitchen. That place is not my domain. And in there I have virtually no say. I can certainly make my preferences known, but ask me to cook and you are taking your life into your own hands.
Men have certain things in life that pertain to the masculine side of life. Women have certain things that pertain to the feminine side of life. When men become feminine, when women become masculine, then things get all screwed up.
And this has nothing to do with ones occupation.
Remember that the Bible is truth, and truth applies to everyone no matter when they live or lived in history.
The home is not the ball and chain of the woman only. Many women have professional and non-professional occupations. If you are capable, then you can do it.
Obedience here means respect, preparation, capability, and deference, not slavery.
And obedience here also applies to your spiritual life. Understand obedience to doctrine and you understand the ingredients for life.
Reject obedience to doctrine, and you are shouting out to the world that you are greater than doctrine and Gods plan. The results will be obvious sooner or later.
All of this, and more, are so that the Word of God will not be dishonored by your behavior.
Orientation to life comes first through learning doctrine, understanding doctrine, using doctrine, and finally possessing doctrine in your life. Doctrine is your only source for preparation for life, no matter who or what you are.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Titus 2:4
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Titus 2:4
4 That [hina] they may teach [sophronizo] the young women [neos] to be [einai] sober [sophronizo], to love their husbands [philandros], to love their children [philoteknos], KJV-Interlinear
4 that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, NASB
The word for teach and the word for sober are used interchangeably as the same word, here in this verse. Both refer to the manufacture of a sound mind.
From the mature woman’s perspective, she is the teacher and instruction is her domain. From the younger girls perspective, she is the student, and learning is her obligation.
The mature woman teaches from a position of wisdom, and possessing wisdom, therefore by example. The mature woman cannot teach with tools that she does not possess. Therefore she must first learn and grow up, before she can take on the responsibility of teaching younger children.
Most certainly, a woman should not have children before she is prepared. That is to say, baby’s having baby’s is not a good idea and only asks for trouble in many forms.
A word for advice. Young girls should get their educations first, and then be established for life, before they begin their families. Ones life can be far better with prior preparation than otherwise.
Paul teaches here, that the woman needs to learn first, then she will be able to love her husband and her children with the proper attitude, emotions, and concern as is expected of a mature wife and mother.
The word for love of husband, ‘philandros,’ means to be fond of a man in the normal sense that a female wants a man in her life. This expresses the normal approach to life from the woman’s perspective, but it also eliminates the abnormal lifestyle that is so common these days.
Likewise, ‘philoteknos’ represents the proper affection, the maternal behavior that a mother has for her children. Far too often we see broken homes, immature or unprepared girls, or women, who inflict abuse on their children, abandon their children, treat their children as though they are an inconvenience in their (the mom’s) life.
This of course is not limited to women, because there are certainly abusive men in the world as well.
The principle is the issue here, not the gender of the subject in this verse.
When the young person, and here we are speaking of young women or girls, enter life prepared, then their success in life, in marriage, and in love are greatly enhanced.
And preparation is all tied to ones knowledge of the scriptures. A strong spiritual life guarantees success in life, regardless of your circumstances. A weak spiritual life guarantees hardships and heartaches that will be difficult to deal with, and only sorrow and an unfulfilled life is the result.
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Titus 2:4
4 That [hina] they may teach [sophronizo] the young women [neos] to be [einai] sober [sophronizo], to love their husbands [philandros], to love their children [philoteknos], KJV-Interlinear
4 that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, NASB
The word for teach and the word for sober are used interchangeably as the same word, here in this verse. Both refer to the manufacture of a sound mind.
From the mature woman’s perspective, she is the teacher and instruction is her domain. From the younger girls perspective, she is the student, and learning is her obligation.
The mature woman teaches from a position of wisdom, and possessing wisdom, therefore by example. The mature woman cannot teach with tools that she does not possess. Therefore she must first learn and grow up, before she can take on the responsibility of teaching younger children.
Most certainly, a woman should not have children before she is prepared. That is to say, baby’s having baby’s is not a good idea and only asks for trouble in many forms.
A word for advice. Young girls should get their educations first, and then be established for life, before they begin their families. Ones life can be far better with prior preparation than otherwise.
Paul teaches here, that the woman needs to learn first, then she will be able to love her husband and her children with the proper attitude, emotions, and concern as is expected of a mature wife and mother.
The word for love of husband, ‘philandros,’ means to be fond of a man in the normal sense that a female wants a man in her life. This expresses the normal approach to life from the woman’s perspective, but it also eliminates the abnormal lifestyle that is so common these days.
Likewise, ‘philoteknos’ represents the proper affection, the maternal behavior that a mother has for her children. Far too often we see broken homes, immature or unprepared girls, or women, who inflict abuse on their children, abandon their children, treat their children as though they are an inconvenience in their (the mom’s) life.
This of course is not limited to women, because there are certainly abusive men in the world as well.
The principle is the issue here, not the gender of the subject in this verse.
When the young person, and here we are speaking of young women or girls, enter life prepared, then their success in life, in marriage, and in love are greatly enhanced.
And preparation is all tied to ones knowledge of the scriptures. A strong spiritual life guarantees success in life, regardless of your circumstances. A weak spiritual life guarantees hardships and heartaches that will be difficult to deal with, and only sorrow and an unfulfilled life is the result.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Titus 2:3
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Titus 2:3
3 The aged women [presbutis] likewise [hosautos], that they be in [en] behaviour [katastema] as becometh holiness [hieroprepes], not [me] false accusers [diabolos], not [me] given [douloo] to much [polus] wine [oinos], teachers of good things [kalodidaskalos]; KJV-Interlinear
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, NASB
In the last verse, older men (mature men) were addressed, and now older (mature) women are addressed. Again, as age is recognized, it is not a prerequisite to maturity and wisdom.
But just as the age’s of these two respective groups are described, the single word that ties these two verses together is, ‘hosautos.’ This means, likewise, in the same manner, after the same pattern. And this word is the single word that really ties the behavior of men and women together in the scriptures.
In Matt. 22, we are told that in heaven there will be neither marriage nor giving in marriage. That we will be similar to the angels as far as our relationships with others, go. Also, Gal. 3, teaches us that there will be neither male nor female. This is a biological distinction for this life, that has contributed to human history in many ways.
And although there are many differences between male and female, physical, biological, even emotional, these differences were allowed to exist here in this life in order to teach, as many things in this world do, of our relationship with God through doctrine.
In life husband and wife cleave to each other. They do not betray each other, and so forth. In the spiritual life, we are to cleave, become one as it were, with doctrine, and in so doing secure and complete our relationship with God for all of eternity.
In eternity there will be relationships with others, but those relationships will be far better than anything that currently exists. We don’t have the capacity to understand or comprehend them.
And as for how people are to conduct themselves in this life, the female is to be mature, just as the male is. The female is to be grown up in doctrine, obedient to Gods mandates, poised, non-complaining, thoughtful, understanding, responsible, reverent, honest, honorable, etc.
The female is to withhold from gossiping, as we all are. Gossiping is an intrusion into someone else's life, a violation of their right to life, an expression of judgment of which none of us have a right to do.
We are all, not just women, to refrain from things that will tend to make us divorced from reality. Wine is used here as the example, but there are many things that are used in life as escapes. Drugs, alcohol, the many and various lust drives are examples of just a few.
‘Teaching what is good,’ means to set the example for others.
Each individual Christian, is a beacon of light on the hilltop. Everyone can see you and everyone will evaluate you, whether you know them or not. So, whether you understand it or not, God has placed you here in this world as an example for others.
Unfortunately, probably ninety-nine percent of all Christians are bad examples of Christianity. So if you are pursuing any semblance of a legitimate and honorable spiritual life, that places you in historys’ smallest minority group, ever.
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Titus 2:3
3 The aged women [presbutis] likewise [hosautos], that they be in [en] behaviour [katastema] as becometh holiness [hieroprepes], not [me] false accusers [diabolos], not [me] given [douloo] to much [polus] wine [oinos], teachers of good things [kalodidaskalos]; KJV-Interlinear
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, NASB
In the last verse, older men (mature men) were addressed, and now older (mature) women are addressed. Again, as age is recognized, it is not a prerequisite to maturity and wisdom.
But just as the age’s of these two respective groups are described, the single word that ties these two verses together is, ‘hosautos.’ This means, likewise, in the same manner, after the same pattern. And this word is the single word that really ties the behavior of men and women together in the scriptures.
In Matt. 22, we are told that in heaven there will be neither marriage nor giving in marriage. That we will be similar to the angels as far as our relationships with others, go. Also, Gal. 3, teaches us that there will be neither male nor female. This is a biological distinction for this life, that has contributed to human history in many ways.
And although there are many differences between male and female, physical, biological, even emotional, these differences were allowed to exist here in this life in order to teach, as many things in this world do, of our relationship with God through doctrine.
In life husband and wife cleave to each other. They do not betray each other, and so forth. In the spiritual life, we are to cleave, become one as it were, with doctrine, and in so doing secure and complete our relationship with God for all of eternity.
In eternity there will be relationships with others, but those relationships will be far better than anything that currently exists. We don’t have the capacity to understand or comprehend them.
And as for how people are to conduct themselves in this life, the female is to be mature, just as the male is. The female is to be grown up in doctrine, obedient to Gods mandates, poised, non-complaining, thoughtful, understanding, responsible, reverent, honest, honorable, etc.
The female is to withhold from gossiping, as we all are. Gossiping is an intrusion into someone else's life, a violation of their right to life, an expression of judgment of which none of us have a right to do.
We are all, not just women, to refrain from things that will tend to make us divorced from reality. Wine is used here as the example, but there are many things that are used in life as escapes. Drugs, alcohol, the many and various lust drives are examples of just a few.
‘Teaching what is good,’ means to set the example for others.
Each individual Christian, is a beacon of light on the hilltop. Everyone can see you and everyone will evaluate you, whether you know them or not. So, whether you understand it or not, God has placed you here in this world as an example for others.
Unfortunately, probably ninety-nine percent of all Christians are bad examples of Christianity. So if you are pursuing any semblance of a legitimate and honorable spiritual life, that places you in historys’ smallest minority group, ever.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Titus 2:2
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Titus 2:2
2 That the aged men [presbutes] be [einai] sober [nephaleos], grave [semnos], temperate [sophron], sound [hugiaino] in faith [pistis], in charity [agape], in patience [hupomone]. KJV-Interlinear
2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. NASB
Paul expresses the three main characteristics of the spiritually mature believer. Faith, hope and love, which represent the persons (any persons) attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine and their spiritual life.
Faith is our belief in that which we can not see. Hope is our confidence in that which is promised. Love is the content of the scriptures, the foundation upon which faith and hope are constructed. We studied this in 1, 2, and 3rd Jn.
In addressing older men, Paul is describing mature men, not simply men that have reach an older age. Being old does not equate with wisdom. Although more often than not, a person has to live a good long time before they even begin to learn what life is all about. And all too often people live long lives but learn nothing.
Sober describes prudence, vigilance, alertness, caution, carefulness.
Grave describes honesty, honorable intentions and practices in life.
Temperate describes poise, self control, self confidence, mild, pleasant, emotionally stable.
Sound in faith describes a solid foundation of doctrine within ones soul, healthy, uncorrupted.
Charity describes benevolence, kindness, compassion, empathy.
Patience describes tolerance, enduring, perseverance, lack of complaint, contentment.
All of these do not produce the spiritual life, but all of these come out of an established spiritual life.
The person must develop his or her, spiritual life first, before these characteristics become apparent and functional.
Without doctrine anyone can evolve into a pleasing personality, but without doctrine, no one can maintain it.
1 Tim. 6:11
11 But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. NASB
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Titus 2:2
2 That the aged men [presbutes] be [einai] sober [nephaleos], grave [semnos], temperate [sophron], sound [hugiaino] in faith [pistis], in charity [agape], in patience [hupomone]. KJV-Interlinear
2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. NASB
Paul expresses the three main characteristics of the spiritually mature believer. Faith, hope and love, which represent the persons (any persons) attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine and their spiritual life.
Faith is our belief in that which we can not see. Hope is our confidence in that which is promised. Love is the content of the scriptures, the foundation upon which faith and hope are constructed. We studied this in 1, 2, and 3rd Jn.
In addressing older men, Paul is describing mature men, not simply men that have reach an older age. Being old does not equate with wisdom. Although more often than not, a person has to live a good long time before they even begin to learn what life is all about. And all too often people live long lives but learn nothing.
Sober describes prudence, vigilance, alertness, caution, carefulness.
Grave describes honesty, honorable intentions and practices in life.
Temperate describes poise, self control, self confidence, mild, pleasant, emotionally stable.
Sound in faith describes a solid foundation of doctrine within ones soul, healthy, uncorrupted.
Charity describes benevolence, kindness, compassion, empathy.
Patience describes tolerance, enduring, perseverance, lack of complaint, contentment.
All of these do not produce the spiritual life, but all of these come out of an established spiritual life.
The person must develop his or her, spiritual life first, before these characteristics become apparent and functional.
Without doctrine anyone can evolve into a pleasing personality, but without doctrine, no one can maintain it.
1 Tim. 6:11
11 But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. NASB
Monday, March 23, 2009
Titus 2:1
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Titus 2:1
1 But [de] speak [laleo] thou [su] the things which [hos] become [prepo] sound [hugiaino] doctrine [didaskalia]: KJV-Interlinear
2 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. NASB
Yesterday, we closed the chapter with a question concerning your mental toughness.
How would you react if the whole world was against you? Well, for most folks they would fall apart in tears or worse.
The absolute worst possible scenario in life would be if the whole world was against you and God was against you as well. That would mean that you were in a pretty dark situation, with absolutely no solution. Not a good position to find yourself in!
But ask yourself this question. If the whole world was for you and supported you, but God was against you, would you win?
And another question. If the whole world was against you, but God was for you, then what would be the outcome of your life?
The policies of the world are Satan’s policies. And those policies, which we call evil, are in complete opposition to the policies of God.
Unfortunately, the policies of Satan, are right in front of us and they are there for instant gratification, instant evaluation, something that we can see and touch, and they are there to distract us away from God.
Gods policies require an exercise of faith in order to possess them, and faith is just too elusive.
Faith requires maturity, which requires growing up, which requires learning, and application of facts to reality, which requires time and patience in order to accomplish. And who has the time or the patience for something that is terribly elusive?
Oh, and the answer to the questions above, which you already know, are that you would lose terribly when you set yourself against God, even if the whole world is behind you.
Likewise if the world sets itself totally against you, but you align yourself with God, then the world is really no match for you. With God in control of your life, your victory in life is certain.
Paul has given Titus instructions for selecting people to lead the Christian faith in Crete. Titus was also warned that the culture there was less than desirable.
Conforming with the undesirables was not an option. Conforming with the culture was not an option. Conforming with how things were done there, was not an option.
The only option for living ones life, is through sound uncompromised, untainted doctrine.
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Titus 2:1
1 But [de] speak [laleo] thou [su] the things which [hos] become [prepo] sound [hugiaino] doctrine [didaskalia]: KJV-Interlinear
2 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. NASB
Yesterday, we closed the chapter with a question concerning your mental toughness.
How would you react if the whole world was against you? Well, for most folks they would fall apart in tears or worse.
The absolute worst possible scenario in life would be if the whole world was against you and God was against you as well. That would mean that you were in a pretty dark situation, with absolutely no solution. Not a good position to find yourself in!
But ask yourself this question. If the whole world was for you and supported you, but God was against you, would you win?
And another question. If the whole world was against you, but God was for you, then what would be the outcome of your life?
The policies of the world are Satan’s policies. And those policies, which we call evil, are in complete opposition to the policies of God.
Unfortunately, the policies of Satan, are right in front of us and they are there for instant gratification, instant evaluation, something that we can see and touch, and they are there to distract us away from God.
Gods policies require an exercise of faith in order to possess them, and faith is just too elusive.
Faith requires maturity, which requires growing up, which requires learning, and application of facts to reality, which requires time and patience in order to accomplish. And who has the time or the patience for something that is terribly elusive?
Oh, and the answer to the questions above, which you already know, are that you would lose terribly when you set yourself against God, even if the whole world is behind you.
Likewise if the world sets itself totally against you, but you align yourself with God, then the world is really no match for you. With God in control of your life, your victory in life is certain.
Paul has given Titus instructions for selecting people to lead the Christian faith in Crete. Titus was also warned that the culture there was less than desirable.
Conforming with the undesirables was not an option. Conforming with the culture was not an option. Conforming with how things were done there, was not an option.
The only option for living ones life, is through sound uncompromised, untainted doctrine.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Titus 1:16
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Titus 1:16
16 They profess [homologeo] that they know [eido] God [theos]; but [de] in works [ergon] they deny [arneomai] him, being [on] abominable [bdeluktos], and [kai] disobedient [apeithes], and [kai] unto [pros] every [pas] good [agathos] work [ergon] reprobate [adokimos]. KJV-Interlinear
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. NASB
How is it possible for anyone to discern between the truth of life out from all of the deceptions that exist in this world?
With the many thousands of religions, cults, philosophies and such, teaching almost everything different from Christianity, and with many of them professing similarities, how do you sort through all of them?
With humanity saturated from birth with sin natures, how can anyone be trusted?
And especially with Satan, whom none of us can see, hear, or detect in any way, and with his policies of evil designed to saturate and deceive the world, then what chance do any of us have in sorting out what is right from what is wrong?
Paul has warned Titus, that he needs to find people who possess unique and exceptional qualities, for teaching doctrine to them initially, and of whom will carry the ball to teach others, after Titus has left.
Not an easy task, to say the least. Even if Titus finds such people, then their learning and growing up spiritually, is a life long process. Many folks have gone into the ministry, and have left it disillusioned for one reason or another. How much easier is it for non-ministerial types (common folks), to get disillusioned, when life hammers them?
Needless to say, in this world, the odds are set against us.
But then the odds are only relevant when God is not in the picture.
For people who have a genuine desire to learn doctrine, and when those same folks stick with their studies, then their odds of failure go way, way down. With God in the picture, and He is the only source for objective discernment, then your success in life is assured (guaranteed).
The world will take people and establish monasteries, seminaries, schools of higher education and so forth, but those credentials do not guarantee objectivity or truth. In fact most of these places become the most formidable opponents of truth, rather than promoters of truth.
God is the only real and true and reliable source for obtaining truth. This is accomplished by first, wanting to know the truth, and then second, by pursuing it.
You may (actually you will), run into many false or gray area teaching, but God eventually guides you to the source of truth, sooner or later. Assuming that is what you are after for your life. If you are only interested in finding something that reinforces your already entrenched beliefs, then that will be easy to do. That is what the world wants you to do.
But if you truly want to find out what life is all about, and you want to find the meaning and purpose for your own personal existence and destiny, then forewarned, you will have to sort through everything that the world is going to throw at you in its attempt to disillusion you, discourage you, cause you to question God, and ultimately fail.
But perseverance for truth will allow God to bring you through all the fog of life and to the truth of His wisdom, so that you can discover what is real and what is not. And, ultimately succeed in life.
In this world, success is tied most of the time to talent, ability, intellect, looks, and luck.
In the spiritual life, God levels the playing field and makes success easy and certain, for anyone who will commit themselves to the task of simply learning.
How much toughness do you have when no one will agree with you, when no one will support you, when everyone will try to cause you to fail?
Just how bad do you want to succeed in this life and for all of eternity?
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Titus 1:16
16 They profess [homologeo] that they know [eido] God [theos]; but [de] in works [ergon] they deny [arneomai] him, being [on] abominable [bdeluktos], and [kai] disobedient [apeithes], and [kai] unto [pros] every [pas] good [agathos] work [ergon] reprobate [adokimos]. KJV-Interlinear
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. NASB
How is it possible for anyone to discern between the truth of life out from all of the deceptions that exist in this world?
With the many thousands of religions, cults, philosophies and such, teaching almost everything different from Christianity, and with many of them professing similarities, how do you sort through all of them?
With humanity saturated from birth with sin natures, how can anyone be trusted?
And especially with Satan, whom none of us can see, hear, or detect in any way, and with his policies of evil designed to saturate and deceive the world, then what chance do any of us have in sorting out what is right from what is wrong?
Paul has warned Titus, that he needs to find people who possess unique and exceptional qualities, for teaching doctrine to them initially, and of whom will carry the ball to teach others, after Titus has left.
Not an easy task, to say the least. Even if Titus finds such people, then their learning and growing up spiritually, is a life long process. Many folks have gone into the ministry, and have left it disillusioned for one reason or another. How much easier is it for non-ministerial types (common folks), to get disillusioned, when life hammers them?
Needless to say, in this world, the odds are set against us.
But then the odds are only relevant when God is not in the picture.
For people who have a genuine desire to learn doctrine, and when those same folks stick with their studies, then their odds of failure go way, way down. With God in the picture, and He is the only source for objective discernment, then your success in life is assured (guaranteed).
The world will take people and establish monasteries, seminaries, schools of higher education and so forth, but those credentials do not guarantee objectivity or truth. In fact most of these places become the most formidable opponents of truth, rather than promoters of truth.
God is the only real and true and reliable source for obtaining truth. This is accomplished by first, wanting to know the truth, and then second, by pursuing it.
You may (actually you will), run into many false or gray area teaching, but God eventually guides you to the source of truth, sooner or later. Assuming that is what you are after for your life. If you are only interested in finding something that reinforces your already entrenched beliefs, then that will be easy to do. That is what the world wants you to do.
But if you truly want to find out what life is all about, and you want to find the meaning and purpose for your own personal existence and destiny, then forewarned, you will have to sort through everything that the world is going to throw at you in its attempt to disillusion you, discourage you, cause you to question God, and ultimately fail.
But perseverance for truth will allow God to bring you through all the fog of life and to the truth of His wisdom, so that you can discover what is real and what is not. And, ultimately succeed in life.
In this world, success is tied most of the time to talent, ability, intellect, looks, and luck.
In the spiritual life, God levels the playing field and makes success easy and certain, for anyone who will commit themselves to the task of simply learning.
How much toughness do you have when no one will agree with you, when no one will support you, when everyone will try to cause you to fail?
Just how bad do you want to succeed in this life and for all of eternity?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Titus 1:15
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:15
15 Unto the pure [katharos] all things [pas] are pure [men] [katharos]: but [de] unto them that are defiled [miaino] and [kai] unbelieving [apistos] is nothing [oudeis] pure [katharos]; but [alla] even [kai] their [autos] mind [nous] and [kai] conscience [suneidesis] is defiled [miaino]. KJV-Interlinear
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. NASB
Paul has been talking about the spiritual selection process of the local people living on the island of Crete, and the general character of that population.
Beware of those who pursue false pretenses of righteousness. Likewise beware of those who are so self righteous that they will never see themselves as wrong, no matter what. And, then there is the group of folks that just simply hate and lie and cheat and deceive and do not care one way or another, what anyone thinks of them.
Two of the more popular concepts of that era, was circumcision, and pure or impure foods. These things were held in high regard with respect to ones spiritual life. But unfortunately the spiritual principles they taught got lost in the application of these actual things to everyday life. Circumcision and diet became the spiritual life, not the content or thought process of ones soul.
Circumcision represented the concept of salvation, or the cutting away of a dead and useless thing, from an otherwise useful and living thing. And diet likewise represented the spiritual concept of living the day to day good and clean life of fellowship. Bad foods represent the sins or bad decisions, and the good foods represent the clean living of one who is in fellowship.
But these teaching aids, became the principle, rather than the key to understanding spiritual principles that they taught.
Mark 7:15
15 there is nothing outside the man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. NASB
1 Cor 8:8
8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. NASB
And just as the actual physical circumcision, or the actual diet that you choose for yourself, have absolutely nothing to do with your spiritual life, so also, the many fables and fads and standards of life that you may follow on a daily basis, have absolutely nothing to do with your spiritual life.
Your beliefs from this world do not make your spiritual life. Your spiritual life will however create in you, the standards that you are to live by.
A wrong thing done in a wrong way, is wrong.
A right thing done in a wrong way, is wrong.
A wrong thing done in a right way, is wrong.
You can only do a right thing in a right way, and obtain a right result. And that is Bible doctrine learned, understood, and applied to your daily life.
To the pure, the spiritually mature or savvy person, then there is great tolerance for what the world chooses, but great obedience to the things that God mandates.
Jesus Christ controls history. This world does not determine the destiny of anything or anyone.
There may be many disasters (an event of great loss), that occur in life, but there are no tragedies (events from which there is no recovery).
God gives life and God takes it away. And when God takes life away, life continues on, it is just in another venue. Just because you cannot see it, does not make it bad or tragic.
Jesus Christ controls history. God brings all things, whether good or bad, whether caused or allowed, together for good.
Your inability to see all of the facts, or understand the reasons behind any occurrence, is all the more reason why you have no right to judge, or even blame, or even question, God.
External circumstances do not make a person defiled per se, but what enters into the soul and how it is utilized, does.
You can question and challenge the teaching of the scriptures, but do so in an objective manner for the purpose of coming to an understanding of the scriptures. To challenge in order to support preexisting beliefs, is evil and gains you nothing.
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Titus 1:15
15 Unto the pure [katharos] all things [pas] are pure [men] [katharos]: but [de] unto them that are defiled [miaino] and [kai] unbelieving [apistos] is nothing [oudeis] pure [katharos]; but [alla] even [kai] their [autos] mind [nous] and [kai] conscience [suneidesis] is defiled [miaino]. KJV-Interlinear
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. NASB
Paul has been talking about the spiritual selection process of the local people living on the island of Crete, and the general character of that population.
Beware of those who pursue false pretenses of righteousness. Likewise beware of those who are so self righteous that they will never see themselves as wrong, no matter what. And, then there is the group of folks that just simply hate and lie and cheat and deceive and do not care one way or another, what anyone thinks of them.
Two of the more popular concepts of that era, was circumcision, and pure or impure foods. These things were held in high regard with respect to ones spiritual life. But unfortunately the spiritual principles they taught got lost in the application of these actual things to everyday life. Circumcision and diet became the spiritual life, not the content or thought process of ones soul.
Circumcision represented the concept of salvation, or the cutting away of a dead and useless thing, from an otherwise useful and living thing. And diet likewise represented the spiritual concept of living the day to day good and clean life of fellowship. Bad foods represent the sins or bad decisions, and the good foods represent the clean living of one who is in fellowship.
But these teaching aids, became the principle, rather than the key to understanding spiritual principles that they taught.
Mark 7:15
15 there is nothing outside the man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. NASB
1 Cor 8:8
8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. NASB
And just as the actual physical circumcision, or the actual diet that you choose for yourself, have absolutely nothing to do with your spiritual life, so also, the many fables and fads and standards of life that you may follow on a daily basis, have absolutely nothing to do with your spiritual life.
Your beliefs from this world do not make your spiritual life. Your spiritual life will however create in you, the standards that you are to live by.
A wrong thing done in a wrong way, is wrong.
A right thing done in a wrong way, is wrong.
A wrong thing done in a right way, is wrong.
You can only do a right thing in a right way, and obtain a right result. And that is Bible doctrine learned, understood, and applied to your daily life.
To the pure, the spiritually mature or savvy person, then there is great tolerance for what the world chooses, but great obedience to the things that God mandates.
Jesus Christ controls history. This world does not determine the destiny of anything or anyone.
There may be many disasters (an event of great loss), that occur in life, but there are no tragedies (events from which there is no recovery).
God gives life and God takes it away. And when God takes life away, life continues on, it is just in another venue. Just because you cannot see it, does not make it bad or tragic.
Jesus Christ controls history. God brings all things, whether good or bad, whether caused or allowed, together for good.
Your inability to see all of the facts, or understand the reasons behind any occurrence, is all the more reason why you have no right to judge, or even blame, or even question, God.
External circumstances do not make a person defiled per se, but what enters into the soul and how it is utilized, does.
You can question and challenge the teaching of the scriptures, but do so in an objective manner for the purpose of coming to an understanding of the scriptures. To challenge in order to support preexisting beliefs, is evil and gains you nothing.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Titus 1:14
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:14
14 Not [me] giving heed [prosecho] to Jewish [Ioudaikos] fables [muthos], and [kai] commandments [entole] of men [anthropos], that turn from [apostrepho] the truth [aletheia]. KJV-Interlinear
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. NASB
Here are several verses that shed some light on this subject.
1 Tim. 1:4
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. NASB
2 Tim. 4:4
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. NASB
1 Tim. 4:7
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; NASB
Col. 2:22
22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? NASB
In every generation of human history, there are beliefs that find their origins in myths, fables, and imagination. They are never based on fact, and certainly not on anything in reality, but they come up and are repeated so much so, that people take them as real and truthful.
It is often said, that if something is mentioned often enough, then it will become an accepted truth.
The world was believed to have been flat for many, many centuries. The earth was thought to have been the center of the universe. There was an accepted view of witches and how to deal with them.
And today when we consider the absurdities of these ideas, we still have our own contemporary fables and myths. We just happen to be a little more sophisticated in our false beliefs.
We can list many topics, and even though you my think that you maintain an open mind, we will sooner or later mention a topic that will push your button.
Today the controversial topics are religion, abortion, environmentalism, liberalism, government participation in anything, socialism, war, how to deal with people who live on the opposite side of the tracks from where you live, immigration, inter-racial relationships, and so forth.
If you are alive and breathing, then you have an opinion, one way or another, on each of these topics. And even if you have no opinion, that is still a position of sorts.
So Paul warns us here and now, that maintaining beliefs, without doctrinal support, is dangerous. Why? Because doctrine is the mechanism for teaching you to be objective, and more than that, it is the foundation for your discernment in life.
Most of life is irrelevant. Ooops, did I say irrelevant? Perhaps you have forgotten Solomon’s words – ‘All is vanity.’
And as you grow up, you will realize, that if you pursue your spiritual life objectively, that nearly everything in life, everything that we tend to make important, really isn’t.
And by the way, controversies do not have to be earth shattering topics only. They can certainly be little things that get under your skin, of which there is probably a list a mile long that could easily be mentioned.
This does not discount responsibility, honesty, integrity, due process and such things. But your spiritual life depends on your learning Bible doctrine, not on your participation in human defined norms and standards.
The Bible is the beginning of learning legitimate norms and standards. Human standards do not define the Bible.
The Bible lays the foundation for all truth. Your beliefs do not lay the foundation for the Bible.
How many of these other topics help in determining your salvation, your spiritual growth, in your ability to discern truth? None of them.
In fact, when your life is absent doctrine, then your views on life will be subject to your own personal interpretation, and throughout the world, mans interpretation is the basis for justifying anything and everything.
The beginning of wisdom starts with your respect and recognition of Gods truth. That is what fear of God means. And until you get rid of your preconceived ideas and rigid attitudes, then you will have a very difficult time in growing up to your fullest potential in your spiritual life.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Titus 1:13
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:13
13 This [houtos] witness [marturia] is [esti] true [alethes]. Wherefore [dia] [hos] [aitia] rebuke [elegcho] them [autos] sharply [apotomos], that [hina] they may be sound [hugiaino] in [en] the faith [pistis]; KJV-Interlinear
13 This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, NASB
The report of the description of the general bad behavior of the population, is a true and accurate report. This is not an exaggeration, or even a simple smirk comment.
The description that Paul gave in the previous verse, is really an accurate description, and not one to be taken lightly as though it were just humor, but one to be taken seriously, because giving over the custody of the teaching of the scriptures to the locals, and their future generations, is a very serious matter.
Everyone's lives are in view here and anything less than an honest and accurate approach to teaching the Word of God, will have a tremendous impact on their entire life, both now and especially forever in eternity.
The magnitude of the spiritual life of even one individual, is infinite. The magnitude of the spiritual lives of many individuals, even the generations to follow, is beyond comprehension.
Your spiritual life is the greatest and most important and most valuable possession that you can or will, ever have. There is nothing in this world, and nothing in your life that can surpass it. Even if you owned all of the accumulated wealth in all of history, in all of this world, you could not come anywhere near the value of your spiritual life and the destiny that a completed spiritual life represents for all of eternity.
So, Paul instructs Titus in this regard. Find good people. Teach them thoroughly and completely, such that they will have nowhere to turn to, except truth, when challenged by the many challenges that will surely come along.
Look at the integrity of people of our current day. People lie and cheat, and misrepresent themselves with impunity. People abuse their positions and connive and use deceptions in order to get ahead in the world.
Even churches compromise the teaching of doctrine, by creating a social atmosphere to entice membership, rather than simply teaching solid doctrine.
But of course people want immediate gratification. They want immediate answers and solutions to their problems. People are enticed by gimmicks and promises, and clubs and things that promise or imply that if they just join up, then all their problems and wishes will go away or be granted.
Not so.
No one wants to study day in and day out, with seemingly no results. And if you do not offer gimmicks, sister groups, promise groups, something that is nothing more than a crutch for folks to blame if they don’t get their way, then no one is interested.
And that is unfortunate, because they only throw away their own future.
When Jesus was walking here on this earth, everyone wanted a sign. Everyone wanted something for proof of who He was. But more than that, they wanted some proof that they were going to get their way, in a manner of their liking, not as God has designed. And yet the signs were right in front of them daily. Jesus did so many miracles that it is impossible for anyone to have not seen His true identity.
It is no different today. People want proof. People want signs. People want instant gratifications of the things they want, not what God has designed for the human race and history. And by taking that approach to your spiritual life, you lose.
The proofs are always there, everywhere around you. You just have to open up your eyes and begin the day to day transformation of your life, and stop looking for the shortcuts that you will never find, because they don’t exist.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:13
13 This [houtos] witness [marturia] is [esti] true [alethes]. Wherefore [dia] [hos] [aitia] rebuke [elegcho] them [autos] sharply [apotomos], that [hina] they may be sound [hugiaino] in [en] the faith [pistis]; KJV-Interlinear
13 This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, NASB
The report of the description of the general bad behavior of the population, is a true and accurate report. This is not an exaggeration, or even a simple smirk comment.
The description that Paul gave in the previous verse, is really an accurate description, and not one to be taken lightly as though it were just humor, but one to be taken seriously, because giving over the custody of the teaching of the scriptures to the locals, and their future generations, is a very serious matter.
Everyone's lives are in view here and anything less than an honest and accurate approach to teaching the Word of God, will have a tremendous impact on their entire life, both now and especially forever in eternity.
The magnitude of the spiritual life of even one individual, is infinite. The magnitude of the spiritual lives of many individuals, even the generations to follow, is beyond comprehension.
Your spiritual life is the greatest and most important and most valuable possession that you can or will, ever have. There is nothing in this world, and nothing in your life that can surpass it. Even if you owned all of the accumulated wealth in all of history, in all of this world, you could not come anywhere near the value of your spiritual life and the destiny that a completed spiritual life represents for all of eternity.
So, Paul instructs Titus in this regard. Find good people. Teach them thoroughly and completely, such that they will have nowhere to turn to, except truth, when challenged by the many challenges that will surely come along.
Look at the integrity of people of our current day. People lie and cheat, and misrepresent themselves with impunity. People abuse their positions and connive and use deceptions in order to get ahead in the world.
Even churches compromise the teaching of doctrine, by creating a social atmosphere to entice membership, rather than simply teaching solid doctrine.
But of course people want immediate gratification. They want immediate answers and solutions to their problems. People are enticed by gimmicks and promises, and clubs and things that promise or imply that if they just join up, then all their problems and wishes will go away or be granted.
Not so.
No one wants to study day in and day out, with seemingly no results. And if you do not offer gimmicks, sister groups, promise groups, something that is nothing more than a crutch for folks to blame if they don’t get their way, then no one is interested.
And that is unfortunate, because they only throw away their own future.
When Jesus was walking here on this earth, everyone wanted a sign. Everyone wanted something for proof of who He was. But more than that, they wanted some proof that they were going to get their way, in a manner of their liking, not as God has designed. And yet the signs were right in front of them daily. Jesus did so many miracles that it is impossible for anyone to have not seen His true identity.
It is no different today. People want proof. People want signs. People want instant gratifications of the things they want, not what God has designed for the human race and history. And by taking that approach to your spiritual life, you lose.
The proofs are always there, everywhere around you. You just have to open up your eyes and begin the day to day transformation of your life, and stop looking for the shortcuts that you will never find, because they don’t exist.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Titus 1:12
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:12
12 One [tis] of [ek] themselves [autos], even a prophet [prophetes] of their [autos] own [idios], said [epo], The Cretians [Kres] are alway [aei] liars [pseustes], evil [kakos] beasts [therion], slow [argos] bellies [gaster]. KJV-Interlinear
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." NASB
This verse tells us a little bit about Paul as well as giving us some insight into the lifestyles of folks in Crete.
First Paul has a sense of humor. He takes a comment from one of the local’s and makes it into a directive guideline for Titus.
Today we might say to someone who is going to visit the nations capital, ‘Be careful while you are there, they are all crooks in that town.’ And while we say it in jest, it really isn’t too far from the truth. So humor and truth can go hand in hand at times.
Second, Paul is in tune with the local news and culture. The people there lead such a frivolous life, that they will joke about themselves openly.
And third, the prophet Paul cites here is one of a type of muse. Someone who, like the comedians of our day, will cite day to day news items with a twist of humor. I think they call it sarcasm. The roll of the eyes, kind of comment.
The muse, of those days was someone who was a source of inspiration in the arts, particularly in poetry, tragedy, dance, and comedy. This is not a reference to a prophet in the Biblical sense.
So, Titus had his work cut out for him. He was to find someone who was perfect of character, among a society that looked to gluttony and self serving selfishness. They thought more of their stomachs, than their eternal future. They thought more of their immediate satisfaction than they did their tomorrows.
Hummm. Have you ever tried to convince someone of the negative repercussions of their selfish and immediate agenda’s, and get them to replace that with a more thoughtful and honest concern for their eternal destiny?
Wouldn’t the scriptures and your wisdom, be more safe if placed in the care of a brick wall?
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:12
12 One [tis] of [ek] themselves [autos], even a prophet [prophetes] of their [autos] own [idios], said [epo], The Cretians [Kres] are alway [aei] liars [pseustes], evil [kakos] beasts [therion], slow [argos] bellies [gaster]. KJV-Interlinear
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." NASB
This verse tells us a little bit about Paul as well as giving us some insight into the lifestyles of folks in Crete.
First Paul has a sense of humor. He takes a comment from one of the local’s and makes it into a directive guideline for Titus.
Today we might say to someone who is going to visit the nations capital, ‘Be careful while you are there, they are all crooks in that town.’ And while we say it in jest, it really isn’t too far from the truth. So humor and truth can go hand in hand at times.
Second, Paul is in tune with the local news and culture. The people there lead such a frivolous life, that they will joke about themselves openly.
And third, the prophet Paul cites here is one of a type of muse. Someone who, like the comedians of our day, will cite day to day news items with a twist of humor. I think they call it sarcasm. The roll of the eyes, kind of comment.
The muse, of those days was someone who was a source of inspiration in the arts, particularly in poetry, tragedy, dance, and comedy. This is not a reference to a prophet in the Biblical sense.
So, Titus had his work cut out for him. He was to find someone who was perfect of character, among a society that looked to gluttony and self serving selfishness. They thought more of their stomachs, than their eternal future. They thought more of their immediate satisfaction than they did their tomorrows.
Hummm. Have you ever tried to convince someone of the negative repercussions of their selfish and immediate agenda’s, and get them to replace that with a more thoughtful and honest concern for their eternal destiny?
Wouldn’t the scriptures and your wisdom, be more safe if placed in the care of a brick wall?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Titus 1:10-11
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:10-11
10 For [gar] there are [eisi] many [polus] unruly [anupotaktos] and [kai] vain talkers [mataiologos] and [kai] deceivers [phrenapates], specially [malista] they of [ek] the circumcision [peritome]:
11 Whose [hos] mouths [epistomizo] must [dei] be stopped [epistomizo], who [hostis] subvert [anatrepo] whole [holos] houses [oikos], teaching [didasko] things which [hos] they ought [dei] not [me], for [charin] filthy [aischros] lucre's [kerdos] sake [charin]. KJV-Interlinear
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. NASB
Quick Bible Study Update: I have restarted the Daily Bible Study Google Group. I started it a long time ago, but had trouble with pranksters, so I discontinued it. Now, Google has better controls in place to allow the group to function in a reasonably normal fashion. Anyway, if you want to use the group forum to conduct Bible Study conversations, make suggestions, ask questions, and or whatever, then you can find the member link on the main Bible Study Contents (Index) page at http://www.dailybiblestudy.org/bibleindex.html. I am hoping that this will relieve my email traffic and allow you an opportunity to get involved.
Now for today’s study:
One of the biggest problems for any leader, comes from those who would undermine his position and authority.
If you have ever been a member of a club or social organization, then you most likely have seen this problem. Politics, pretense, inordinate ambition, social climbers and such, all combine in their quest to steal away what they believe is the attention they deserve from the membership.
And you don’t generally have to go too far before you find the opposition. They can be family members, neighbors, friends or acquaintances, social acquaintances, fellow workers and so forth.
Some folks seemingly live only for the purpose of disruption or being negative about anything and everything. They are not interested in anyone's success, only in their own ego or approbation.
Likeiwse they don’t care that they may be interfering with someone's future or destiny. Again they are interested only in their own satisfaction in driving the direction of a conversation or of an organization.
If the repercussions of their actions result in your demise, or bring harm to others, they won’t care. They only care about themselves and nothing else.
They disrupt families, groups, organizations, even nations can be disrupted by ego driven lust driven people.
Their interest is in sordid gain, which is nothing more than their own selfish interests, whatever they may be.
They promote dissention and false ideas. Their words are empty because they are driven by their sin nature attributes.
And by the way, as mentioned in this verse, they are usually members of the common faith (circumcision) which can refer to that physical or surgical Jewish ritual, or even to the symbolism of soul circumcision in Christianity.
In anyone's spiritual life, a great deal is at stake - their eternal life and its content. As Satan and symbolically the world, will try anything to disrupt your spiritual future, then anyone who enters into the debate of ones spiritual beliefs, in order to turn them away, is nothing more than a representative of that kind of Satanic thought.
The only way to diminish this type of threat, is by growing up in your own spiritual life. And you do this by maintaining a consistent and daily study program, giving you the ammunition for discerning and discovering the subtle attacks when they come along.
And I might mention one other concept. Not only will there be those who will challenge your beliefs directly, but there will be no shortage of people whom you can view daily in the news and such, people who take advantage of society, people who take advantage of their positions, people who openly and boldly pursue corruption with impunity.
Your threat? Well, you work long and hard, and try to make a decent living for yourself and your family. And then you see others pursue corruption and seemingly get away with everything. They live the high life while you struggle week to week, month to month just to pay the rent. And they get the bail out benefits and you get nothing.
All you have to remember is but one thing. Jesus Christ controls history. They do not. God allows many folks to run their own course in life, knowing that they see the repercussions of their actions and knowing that they will never have anything better in eternity, but far worse.
Don’t get upset. Your eternal destiny will last a very long time and your spiritual life is far more valuable than anything in this world. So stick to your spiritual guns and preserve your eternity. Don’t allow anyone to defeat you in the little things, and by the way, everything in this carnal world is a little and meaningless thing, not worth giving up ones eternal blessings.
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Titus 1:10-11
10 For [gar] there are [eisi] many [polus] unruly [anupotaktos] and [kai] vain talkers [mataiologos] and [kai] deceivers [phrenapates], specially [malista] they of [ek] the circumcision [peritome]:
11 Whose [hos] mouths [epistomizo] must [dei] be stopped [epistomizo], who [hostis] subvert [anatrepo] whole [holos] houses [oikos], teaching [didasko] things which [hos] they ought [dei] not [me], for [charin] filthy [aischros] lucre's [kerdos] sake [charin]. KJV-Interlinear
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. NASB
Quick Bible Study Update: I have restarted the Daily Bible Study Google Group. I started it a long time ago, but had trouble with pranksters, so I discontinued it. Now, Google has better controls in place to allow the group to function in a reasonably normal fashion. Anyway, if you want to use the group forum to conduct Bible Study conversations, make suggestions, ask questions, and or whatever, then you can find the member link on the main Bible Study Contents (Index) page at http://www.dailybiblestudy.org/bibleindex.html. I am hoping that this will relieve my email traffic and allow you an opportunity to get involved.
Now for today’s study:
One of the biggest problems for any leader, comes from those who would undermine his position and authority.
If you have ever been a member of a club or social organization, then you most likely have seen this problem. Politics, pretense, inordinate ambition, social climbers and such, all combine in their quest to steal away what they believe is the attention they deserve from the membership.
And you don’t generally have to go too far before you find the opposition. They can be family members, neighbors, friends or acquaintances, social acquaintances, fellow workers and so forth.
Some folks seemingly live only for the purpose of disruption or being negative about anything and everything. They are not interested in anyone's success, only in their own ego or approbation.
Likeiwse they don’t care that they may be interfering with someone's future or destiny. Again they are interested only in their own satisfaction in driving the direction of a conversation or of an organization.
If the repercussions of their actions result in your demise, or bring harm to others, they won’t care. They only care about themselves and nothing else.
They disrupt families, groups, organizations, even nations can be disrupted by ego driven lust driven people.
Their interest is in sordid gain, which is nothing more than their own selfish interests, whatever they may be.
They promote dissention and false ideas. Their words are empty because they are driven by their sin nature attributes.
And by the way, as mentioned in this verse, they are usually members of the common faith (circumcision) which can refer to that physical or surgical Jewish ritual, or even to the symbolism of soul circumcision in Christianity.
In anyone's spiritual life, a great deal is at stake - their eternal life and its content. As Satan and symbolically the world, will try anything to disrupt your spiritual future, then anyone who enters into the debate of ones spiritual beliefs, in order to turn them away, is nothing more than a representative of that kind of Satanic thought.
The only way to diminish this type of threat, is by growing up in your own spiritual life. And you do this by maintaining a consistent and daily study program, giving you the ammunition for discerning and discovering the subtle attacks when they come along.
And I might mention one other concept. Not only will there be those who will challenge your beliefs directly, but there will be no shortage of people whom you can view daily in the news and such, people who take advantage of society, people who take advantage of their positions, people who openly and boldly pursue corruption with impunity.
Your threat? Well, you work long and hard, and try to make a decent living for yourself and your family. And then you see others pursue corruption and seemingly get away with everything. They live the high life while you struggle week to week, month to month just to pay the rent. And they get the bail out benefits and you get nothing.
All you have to remember is but one thing. Jesus Christ controls history. They do not. God allows many folks to run their own course in life, knowing that they see the repercussions of their actions and knowing that they will never have anything better in eternity, but far worse.
Don’t get upset. Your eternal destiny will last a very long time and your spiritual life is far more valuable than anything in this world. So stick to your spiritual guns and preserve your eternity. Don’t allow anyone to defeat you in the little things, and by the way, everything in this carnal world is a little and meaningless thing, not worth giving up ones eternal blessings.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Titus 1:9
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:9
9 Holding fast [antechomai] the faithful [pistos] word [logos] as [kata] he hath been taught [didache], that [hina] he may be [o] able [dunatos] by [en] sound [hugiaino] doctrine [didaskalia] both [kai] to exhort [parakaleo] and [kai] to convince [elegcho] the gainsayers [antilego]. KJV-Interlinear
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. NASB
Leading a life of perfection is not an easy task. In fact everyone who has ever lived will fail at this, over and over again, in their life. There is but one who is perfect and that is Christ.
Because we are weak in the flesh, does not mean that we do not try.
And anyone who tries, requires doctrine, which is the content of the scriptures learned and understood, and resident within their soul, in order to even come close to living the life of perfection described herein.
To live an honest life is difficult. The world has placed almost anything and everything against your success. The world wants you to fail. The world will place almost every imaginable pressure against you, in order to force your failure.
From enticements to poverty, the world knows no limitation in order to get you to fail in life.
This is therefore the reason for Titus, to find such people who are above the norm, in their personality. People who will be able to withstand the tests of time, the tests of people, the tests of every imaginable type. People who can take the teaching of the Word of God and maintain a learning environment for others to hear and learn.
The word must first be learned, and then understood, and then applied to life in order to really possess a solid foundation of wisdom. And, this must all be facilitated from within the fellowship sphere (obtained and maintained through regular confession of sins to God the Father).
This produces sound doctrine in ones life. Sound, means untainted, uncompromised, unaltered. And doctrine is simply the instruction, the teaching, the principles that are contained within the scriptures.
There will be many pressures from life, from ones own thinking, from ones own preexisting beliefs, from ones own beliefs that they have become used to and that are more convenient to their thinking.
Christians whether a leader or not, will face people who will argue, debate, ridicule from their own sin nature and prejudiced perspective. You have to learn to hold your ground – gracefully.
Most will oppose you, and few will listen. You will never win great battles in the worldly sense, and the battles that you do win, you will probably never know about. But no matter.
You live your life as unto the Lord, and between God and yourself, you know that you have been honorable and faithful to the best of your human ability. But again, do not allow that to turn your attitude toward arrogance. The world will try to catch you both coming and going. Spiritual alertness comes through the knowledge and understanding (objective discernment) of the Word for God.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:9
9 Holding fast [antechomai] the faithful [pistos] word [logos] as [kata] he hath been taught [didache], that [hina] he may be [o] able [dunatos] by [en] sound [hugiaino] doctrine [didaskalia] both [kai] to exhort [parakaleo] and [kai] to convince [elegcho] the gainsayers [antilego]. KJV-Interlinear
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. NASB
Leading a life of perfection is not an easy task. In fact everyone who has ever lived will fail at this, over and over again, in their life. There is but one who is perfect and that is Christ.
Because we are weak in the flesh, does not mean that we do not try.
And anyone who tries, requires doctrine, which is the content of the scriptures learned and understood, and resident within their soul, in order to even come close to living the life of perfection described herein.
To live an honest life is difficult. The world has placed almost anything and everything against your success. The world wants you to fail. The world will place almost every imaginable pressure against you, in order to force your failure.
From enticements to poverty, the world knows no limitation in order to get you to fail in life.
This is therefore the reason for Titus, to find such people who are above the norm, in their personality. People who will be able to withstand the tests of time, the tests of people, the tests of every imaginable type. People who can take the teaching of the Word of God and maintain a learning environment for others to hear and learn.
The word must first be learned, and then understood, and then applied to life in order to really possess a solid foundation of wisdom. And, this must all be facilitated from within the fellowship sphere (obtained and maintained through regular confession of sins to God the Father).
This produces sound doctrine in ones life. Sound, means untainted, uncompromised, unaltered. And doctrine is simply the instruction, the teaching, the principles that are contained within the scriptures.
There will be many pressures from life, from ones own thinking, from ones own preexisting beliefs, from ones own beliefs that they have become used to and that are more convenient to their thinking.
Christians whether a leader or not, will face people who will argue, debate, ridicule from their own sin nature and prejudiced perspective. You have to learn to hold your ground – gracefully.
Most will oppose you, and few will listen. You will never win great battles in the worldly sense, and the battles that you do win, you will probably never know about. But no matter.
You live your life as unto the Lord, and between God and yourself, you know that you have been honorable and faithful to the best of your human ability. But again, do not allow that to turn your attitude toward arrogance. The world will try to catch you both coming and going. Spiritual alertness comes through the knowledge and understanding (objective discernment) of the Word for God.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Titus 1:8
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:8
8 But [alla] a lover of hospitality [philoxenos], a lover of good men [philagathos], sober [sophron], just [dikaios], holy [hosios], temperate [egkrates]; KJV-Interlinear
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, NASB
In contrast to being greedy, arrogant, and prejudiced, the leader or Christian person should be polite, hospitable, and friendly.
He should be a lover of good, which means he should be one who pursues and maintains the highest standards of character, especially when dealing with people. Good does not mean rolling over when others are rude or aggressive. Good means general politeness as well as fair when dealing with others, and especially when dealing in matter of law, freedom, patriotism and so forth. Good is the product of truth, and truth possesses many standards and principles designed to strengthen and support the perpetuation of the human race.
Sober means temperate, self-control, poise. You do not fly off the handle when someone gets under your skin. You maintain the character of self control.
Just or justice refers to impartiality and fairness when dealing with matters. It refers to your ability to think with a clear head, without prejudice, without putting your own interests first or ahead of others.
Holy refers to your maintenance of a fellowship relationship with God. Holiness means set apart, sanctified, and righteous. But this righteousness is not human righteousness, but Gods righteousness. The righteousness of monitoring your own sinful or out of fellowship status and practicing confession with sufficient repetition that you are not functioning under the control of your sin nature.
Temperate means self control, self restraint. It is the strength of maturity which helps you to maintain a steady and stable personality and character under any set of circumstances.
Both the leader and the Christian are faced with many situations in life. There will always be situations, things or people who will expect you to bend the rules to help them. There will always be situations that will expect you to look the other way. There will always be situations that will make your choices for sin or bias or self, far easier than doing the right thing.
And above all, there will always be situations that will entice you to become rigid in your principles when you need to be tolerant, understanding, and flexible.
The most difficult thing in life is to know when principles need to be maintained and when they need to be loosened.
The immature believer tends to be rigid when dealing with others, and flexible when maintaining his own self rule. The mature believer learns eventually that God does all of the evaluation and disciplining, and we are only here to provide advice. We do not carry the whip.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:8
8 But [alla] a lover of hospitality [philoxenos], a lover of good men [philagathos], sober [sophron], just [dikaios], holy [hosios], temperate [egkrates]; KJV-Interlinear
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, NASB
In contrast to being greedy, arrogant, and prejudiced, the leader or Christian person should be polite, hospitable, and friendly.
He should be a lover of good, which means he should be one who pursues and maintains the highest standards of character, especially when dealing with people. Good does not mean rolling over when others are rude or aggressive. Good means general politeness as well as fair when dealing with others, and especially when dealing in matter of law, freedom, patriotism and so forth. Good is the product of truth, and truth possesses many standards and principles designed to strengthen and support the perpetuation of the human race.
Sober means temperate, self-control, poise. You do not fly off the handle when someone gets under your skin. You maintain the character of self control.
Just or justice refers to impartiality and fairness when dealing with matters. It refers to your ability to think with a clear head, without prejudice, without putting your own interests first or ahead of others.
Holy refers to your maintenance of a fellowship relationship with God. Holiness means set apart, sanctified, and righteous. But this righteousness is not human righteousness, but Gods righteousness. The righteousness of monitoring your own sinful or out of fellowship status and practicing confession with sufficient repetition that you are not functioning under the control of your sin nature.
Temperate means self control, self restraint. It is the strength of maturity which helps you to maintain a steady and stable personality and character under any set of circumstances.
Both the leader and the Christian are faced with many situations in life. There will always be situations, things or people who will expect you to bend the rules to help them. There will always be situations that will expect you to look the other way. There will always be situations that will make your choices for sin or bias or self, far easier than doing the right thing.
And above all, there will always be situations that will entice you to become rigid in your principles when you need to be tolerant, understanding, and flexible.
The most difficult thing in life is to know when principles need to be maintained and when they need to be loosened.
The immature believer tends to be rigid when dealing with others, and flexible when maintaining his own self rule. The mature believer learns eventually that God does all of the evaluation and disciplining, and we are only here to provide advice. We do not carry the whip.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Titus 1:7
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:7
7 For [gar] a bishop [episkopos] must [dei] be [einai] blameless [anegkletos], as [hos] the steward [oikonomos] of God [theos]; not [me] selfwilled [authades], not [me] soon angry [orgilos], not [me] given to wine [paroinos], no [me] striker [plektes], not [me] given to filthy lucre [aischrokerdes]; KJV-Interlinear
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, NASB
Each and every Christian is an ambassador to this world from heaven. We are in effect Gods representatives, and to whom many will look in deciding their attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine, and their own personal spiritual life.
Unfortunately there are a majority of Christians who fall far short in this life conduct. They come to God carrying a great deal of baggage from their former carnal life. Many look to doctrine only to force their own preconceived ideas and beliefs into the mix, so that they can keep what they already are comfortable with, and of which is convenient to their already chosen life style.
But here Paul instructs Titus to look for leaders who are above this. To select people who are not arrogant, people who have a degree of poise in their conduct, people who do not turn to vices when the going gets tough, people who are not argumentative or belligerent or argumentative, or confrontational or greedy when dealing with others.
Not only is this a good set of guidelines for what Titus was looking for, but it is a good description of what your life should be like, too.
Unfortunately too many people choose convenience over responsibility, or they choose confrontation in order to get or force their way, or they choose greed over compassion.
And therefore respect, empathy, and common manners get lost in the shuffle of life. They are replaced with disrespect, greed, selfish interests, prejudices or leaning on prejudices, opportunistic approaches that allow one to take advantage of others who have fallen on hard times.
The leader, the Christian, cannot take advantage of others, especially when the opportunity presents itself. The leader, the Christian, cannot approach life with his own personal advancement in view, at the expense of others. The leader, the Christian cannot abuse his power or authority. The leader, the Christian cannot misuse the resources that he is given custody over.
The leader, the Christian, whether he be male of she be female, must have phenomenal self restraint, and respect the position that he or she has been given by God. For any rebellion, abuse, misuse of your position is a direct insult to God who placed you there.
When you look at the presents under the Christmas tree do you judge them by their size or color? And so it is with people. The Christian should look at people as living souls, of which (the soul) you cannot see. Their color, their culture, anything about them other than the content of their soul, is irrelevant in life.
And since we have severe limitations in our ability to examine the soul, then we have no recourse than to treat people equally and fairly.
Each person is the creation and property of God, given life in order to have the opportunity of having a great eternal life. You have no right in contributing to the prevention of their destiny, just for your own personal gain or even out of pure spite.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:7
7 For [gar] a bishop [episkopos] must [dei] be [einai] blameless [anegkletos], as [hos] the steward [oikonomos] of God [theos]; not [me] selfwilled [authades], not [me] soon angry [orgilos], not [me] given to wine [paroinos], no [me] striker [plektes], not [me] given to filthy lucre [aischrokerdes]; KJV-Interlinear
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, NASB
Each and every Christian is an ambassador to this world from heaven. We are in effect Gods representatives, and to whom many will look in deciding their attitude toward God, Christ, doctrine, and their own personal spiritual life.
Unfortunately there are a majority of Christians who fall far short in this life conduct. They come to God carrying a great deal of baggage from their former carnal life. Many look to doctrine only to force their own preconceived ideas and beliefs into the mix, so that they can keep what they already are comfortable with, and of which is convenient to their already chosen life style.
But here Paul instructs Titus to look for leaders who are above this. To select people who are not arrogant, people who have a degree of poise in their conduct, people who do not turn to vices when the going gets tough, people who are not argumentative or belligerent or argumentative, or confrontational or greedy when dealing with others.
Not only is this a good set of guidelines for what Titus was looking for, but it is a good description of what your life should be like, too.
Unfortunately too many people choose convenience over responsibility, or they choose confrontation in order to get or force their way, or they choose greed over compassion.
And therefore respect, empathy, and common manners get lost in the shuffle of life. They are replaced with disrespect, greed, selfish interests, prejudices or leaning on prejudices, opportunistic approaches that allow one to take advantage of others who have fallen on hard times.
The leader, the Christian, cannot take advantage of others, especially when the opportunity presents itself. The leader, the Christian, cannot approach life with his own personal advancement in view, at the expense of others. The leader, the Christian cannot abuse his power or authority. The leader, the Christian cannot misuse the resources that he is given custody over.
The leader, the Christian, whether he be male of she be female, must have phenomenal self restraint, and respect the position that he or she has been given by God. For any rebellion, abuse, misuse of your position is a direct insult to God who placed you there.
When you look at the presents under the Christmas tree do you judge them by their size or color? And so it is with people. The Christian should look at people as living souls, of which (the soul) you cannot see. Their color, their culture, anything about them other than the content of their soul, is irrelevant in life.
And since we have severe limitations in our ability to examine the soul, then we have no recourse than to treat people equally and fairly.
Each person is the creation and property of God, given life in order to have the opportunity of having a great eternal life. You have no right in contributing to the prevention of their destiny, just for your own personal gain or even out of pure spite.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Titus 1:6
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:6
6 If any [ei tis] be [esti] blameless [anegkletos], the husband [aner] of one [mia] wife [gune], having [echo] faithful [pistos] children [teknon] not [me] accused [en] [kategoria] of riot [asotia] or [e] unruly [anupotaktos]. KJV-Interlinear
6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. NASB
People who were given responsibility over the teaching and functions of the scriptures, are expected to be reasonably honorable and honest people.
And though ones true home is within ones soul, and therefore if you have ample self control over your own soul through spiritual growth, then presumably you will have some semblance of control over your own family household.
However we all know that parents and kids have their issues from time to time, and people themselves have issues from time to time as well.
The spiritual life is typically illustrated by the temporal life. Parables are typical teaching aids, used to covey the spiritual principles of life.
Thus blameless, is an expression of one who utilizes the confession function regularly, thus residing in fellowship as often as possible. Blameless, is one who is without sin, and there is only one environment that exists without sin and that is the fellowship sphere which is obtained upon confession of ones sins to God the Father. Refer to the study of 1, 2, and 3rd John for this study.
One wife, indicates that you do not split your love among many objects of your affection. Thus Bible doctrine is your true love or should be. This excludes sin, lusts, and the many non-spiritual targets of ones attention in life.
One wife, excludes polygamy, homosexual tendencies, and several other unnatural or degenerate tendencies.
One cannot practice spirituality as well as carnal tendencies simultaneously. Therefore the carnal life around us is filled with examples of honorable living in order to teach us how to live the spiritual life.
You can look until everything freezes, and you will never find a perfect person. Just look at all of the celebrities, politicians, leaders, role models, anyone you can think of, and you will find skeletons galore. Everyone has a flaw or two in their life. Everyone sins, sins of some kind, on virtually a daily basis. Therefore no one could possibly be a candidate for leadership based on human standards.
However, when seeking out leadership candidates, you have to look to the pattern of the life that people have chosen for themselves. Flaws exist for everyone. Look at Paul. He was formerly known as Saul and he murdered Christians just because of their beliefs. And yet Paul had become one of the greatest scriptural instructors of all time.
Titus was instructed to find and appoint people who had demonstrated a passion for doctrine, and it only helps when their lives have some semblance of stability.
Obvious failures, obvious duplicity, obvious deceptions, obvious pretense were good reasons for not selecting someone for the all important role of leading people in doctrine, and especially leading this first foundation generation after the Cross.
If someone lacked knowledge in doctrine, if someone led a life of double standards, if someone's life was filled with emotional distractions, then they would not make good candidates for leadership.
God uses prepared believers, and preparation comes first in faith, first in spiritual growth, first in establishing a pattern of life which is consistent with Gods mandates, and not mans desires.
In the spiritual life, there is no room for compromise or double standards.
The only legitimate promotion in life, the only legitimate recognition in life, comes only from God, and from no other source. And these things come only to prepared believers, who live a life of poise, not promoted by ego driven approbations or lusts.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:6
6 If any [ei tis] be [esti] blameless [anegkletos], the husband [aner] of one [mia] wife [gune], having [echo] faithful [pistos] children [teknon] not [me] accused [en] [kategoria] of riot [asotia] or [e] unruly [anupotaktos]. KJV-Interlinear
6 namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. NASB
People who were given responsibility over the teaching and functions of the scriptures, are expected to be reasonably honorable and honest people.
And though ones true home is within ones soul, and therefore if you have ample self control over your own soul through spiritual growth, then presumably you will have some semblance of control over your own family household.
However we all know that parents and kids have their issues from time to time, and people themselves have issues from time to time as well.
The spiritual life is typically illustrated by the temporal life. Parables are typical teaching aids, used to covey the spiritual principles of life.
Thus blameless, is an expression of one who utilizes the confession function regularly, thus residing in fellowship as often as possible. Blameless, is one who is without sin, and there is only one environment that exists without sin and that is the fellowship sphere which is obtained upon confession of ones sins to God the Father. Refer to the study of 1, 2, and 3rd John for this study.
One wife, indicates that you do not split your love among many objects of your affection. Thus Bible doctrine is your true love or should be. This excludes sin, lusts, and the many non-spiritual targets of ones attention in life.
One wife, excludes polygamy, homosexual tendencies, and several other unnatural or degenerate tendencies.
One cannot practice spirituality as well as carnal tendencies simultaneously. Therefore the carnal life around us is filled with examples of honorable living in order to teach us how to live the spiritual life.
You can look until everything freezes, and you will never find a perfect person. Just look at all of the celebrities, politicians, leaders, role models, anyone you can think of, and you will find skeletons galore. Everyone has a flaw or two in their life. Everyone sins, sins of some kind, on virtually a daily basis. Therefore no one could possibly be a candidate for leadership based on human standards.
However, when seeking out leadership candidates, you have to look to the pattern of the life that people have chosen for themselves. Flaws exist for everyone. Look at Paul. He was formerly known as Saul and he murdered Christians just because of their beliefs. And yet Paul had become one of the greatest scriptural instructors of all time.
Titus was instructed to find and appoint people who had demonstrated a passion for doctrine, and it only helps when their lives have some semblance of stability.
Obvious failures, obvious duplicity, obvious deceptions, obvious pretense were good reasons for not selecting someone for the all important role of leading people in doctrine, and especially leading this first foundation generation after the Cross.
If someone lacked knowledge in doctrine, if someone led a life of double standards, if someone's life was filled with emotional distractions, then they would not make good candidates for leadership.
God uses prepared believers, and preparation comes first in faith, first in spiritual growth, first in establishing a pattern of life which is consistent with Gods mandates, and not mans desires.
In the spiritual life, there is no room for compromise or double standards.
The only legitimate promotion in life, the only legitimate recognition in life, comes only from God, and from no other source. And these things come only to prepared believers, who live a life of poise, not promoted by ego driven approbations or lusts.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Titus 1:5
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:5
5 For this [toutou] cause [charin] left I [kataleipo] thee [se] in [en] Crete [Krete], that [hina] thou shouldest set in order [epidiorthoo] the things that are wanting [leipo], and [kai] ordain [kathistemi] elders [presbuteros] in every [kata] city [polis], as [hos] I [ego] had appointed [diatasso] thee [soi]: KJV-Interlinear
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, NASB
Even though Crete is not mentioned in Acts, as one of the places visited by Paul, it is evident here that Paul was in Crete for a while. At least long enough to get local churches started in several of the cities on the island.
It is also evident that there was substantial positive volition and interest in Christianity among the people who lived there.
If the Cross occurred in 30 A.D., and if Pauls conversion occurred in 35 A.D., then by the time Paul had traveled around Asia Minor even as far as Spain and back to Jerusalem, combined with the travels of the other Apostles, as well as the travels of many other folks, then Christianity spread rapidly throughout that huge region in only a twenty year period.
Most certainly there were even more places visited, which did not get mentioned in the scriptures.
This would explain why Paul traveled continually, preaching the gospel and establishing some church format, but leaving the organizing of the church in local areas, to others, while he continued on his way to yet another city.
Crete was said to be the ‘land of a hundred cities,’ (Iliad, Odyssey). If that is accurate, and we presume that the island consisted of many small towns or villages, large enough to support a church, then Titus had his work cut out for him.
Paul introduced the gospel, but with most Christians, the gospel only wets the appetite for wanting to know more. Or at least they should want to know more. And even though that was a time (the Cross) of a historical low in faith, it was also the time, in the decades immediately following the Cross, of a new resurgence in the desire to know God.
And as we all know, the gospel consists of the story of Christ, and the ultimate goal of believing in Him for salvation. That is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of the spiritual life. There is a great deal more to learn, following salvation, in order to grow up and advance oneself to spiritual maturity.
The ultimate goal of the spiritual life is maturity, which is the complete package of ones life for both now in this life and especially in eternity.
Therefore, it fell upon Titus, and others, to get these new local churches organized. They needed local leaders. They needed documents from which they could study. And these things just did not happen overnight. Especially back then.
Even in our current day, people do not generally pursue their spiritual knowledge with a vigor and an insatiable desire to learn, and know. And we have all of the technological advantages, which they did not have back in those days.
And certainly it is far easier to learn and grow up spiritually, when life is easy or trouble free. But even though we have our current economic problems, those folks back then were experiencing a melt down of anti-Jewish sentiment in Rome, topped only by an anti-Christian sentiment.
Once Rome invades Judea and slaughters literally millions, then the table will turn against Christians. So even our current troubles pale in comparison to theirs.
Titus had an insurmountable task placed in his hands. But positive volition will always triumph even when faced with phenomenal opposition.
Your life may be filled with difficulties now, or your life may be filled with ease. It makes no difference if you are open minded and have a genuine desire to pursue your spiritual life.
The world can attack you. The world can humiliate you. But the world can never defeat you when you are positive toward God, Christ, doctrine, and your spiritual life.
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Titus 1:5
5 For this [toutou] cause [charin] left I [kataleipo] thee [se] in [en] Crete [Krete], that [hina] thou shouldest set in order [epidiorthoo] the things that are wanting [leipo], and [kai] ordain [kathistemi] elders [presbuteros] in every [kata] city [polis], as [hos] I [ego] had appointed [diatasso] thee [soi]: KJV-Interlinear
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, NASB
Even though Crete is not mentioned in Acts, as one of the places visited by Paul, it is evident here that Paul was in Crete for a while. At least long enough to get local churches started in several of the cities on the island.
It is also evident that there was substantial positive volition and interest in Christianity among the people who lived there.
If the Cross occurred in 30 A.D., and if Pauls conversion occurred in 35 A.D., then by the time Paul had traveled around Asia Minor even as far as Spain and back to Jerusalem, combined with the travels of the other Apostles, as well as the travels of many other folks, then Christianity spread rapidly throughout that huge region in only a twenty year period.
Most certainly there were even more places visited, which did not get mentioned in the scriptures.
This would explain why Paul traveled continually, preaching the gospel and establishing some church format, but leaving the organizing of the church in local areas, to others, while he continued on his way to yet another city.
Crete was said to be the ‘land of a hundred cities,’ (Iliad, Odyssey). If that is accurate, and we presume that the island consisted of many small towns or villages, large enough to support a church, then Titus had his work cut out for him.
Paul introduced the gospel, but with most Christians, the gospel only wets the appetite for wanting to know more. Or at least they should want to know more. And even though that was a time (the Cross) of a historical low in faith, it was also the time, in the decades immediately following the Cross, of a new resurgence in the desire to know God.
And as we all know, the gospel consists of the story of Christ, and the ultimate goal of believing in Him for salvation. That is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of the spiritual life. There is a great deal more to learn, following salvation, in order to grow up and advance oneself to spiritual maturity.
The ultimate goal of the spiritual life is maturity, which is the complete package of ones life for both now in this life and especially in eternity.
Therefore, it fell upon Titus, and others, to get these new local churches organized. They needed local leaders. They needed documents from which they could study. And these things just did not happen overnight. Especially back then.
Even in our current day, people do not generally pursue their spiritual knowledge with a vigor and an insatiable desire to learn, and know. And we have all of the technological advantages, which they did not have back in those days.
And certainly it is far easier to learn and grow up spiritually, when life is easy or trouble free. But even though we have our current economic problems, those folks back then were experiencing a melt down of anti-Jewish sentiment in Rome, topped only by an anti-Christian sentiment.
Once Rome invades Judea and slaughters literally millions, then the table will turn against Christians. So even our current troubles pale in comparison to theirs.
Titus had an insurmountable task placed in his hands. But positive volition will always triumph even when faced with phenomenal opposition.
Your life may be filled with difficulties now, or your life may be filled with ease. It makes no difference if you are open minded and have a genuine desire to pursue your spiritual life.
The world can attack you. The world can humiliate you. But the world can never defeat you when you are positive toward God, Christ, doctrine, and your spiritual life.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Titus 1:4
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:4
4 To Titus [Titos], mine own [gnesios] son [teknon] after [kata] the common [koinos] faith [pistis]: Grace [charis], mercy [eleos], and peace [eirene], from [apo] God [theos] the Father [pater] and [kai] the Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter]. KJV-Interlinear
4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. NASB
The name of Titus is found only in 2 Corinthians, Galatians 1:1-6:18, 2 Timothy, and of course Titus.
The description of Titus that Paul makes, indicates that Titus was a really good friend and aid in Pauls ministry.
Titus was sent to some of the most remote places in the region, facing almost insurmountable odds in getting the gospel spread and setting up and organizing local churches for folks that lived in those places.
Titus helped Paul in Asia Minor, in Mesopotamia, in Crete, and in the far northern regions above today’s Turkey and Greece.
Titus, a gentile, was most probably a very resourceful, skilful, and capable man in dealing with people in general. It is likely that Titus was brought to Christ by Pauls ministry, as Paul here refers to him as a child in the common faith, which is Christianity.
Titus was not Pauls literal child, but this is a term of which today we might say, ‘Best of friends.’
Grace and peace are terms we have already covered in other studies. Grace is a reference to favor, or having the favor of God. Peace is the reference to prosperity, happiness, wealth, and such things that indicate a full, complete, and meaningful life. And such is the life that comes to anyone and everyone who pursues their spiritual life in a legitimate and honorable fashion.
And such a life comes to you only by means of the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. And we might add here, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father is credited with authoring the Divine Decrees (Gods plan), the Son is credited with executing that plan, and the Holy Spirit sustains and reveals that plan.
There is no other means of attaining a perfect and meaningful and full life.
Paul was blessed to know many people who supported his ministry. Those people were blessed because they functioned unselfishly in an obedient and responsible manner within their spiritual lives.
You might ask yourself, ‘where do you fit in that type of picture?’
Most folks see the Bible as free. They take and give nothing in return for what they receive. However, there will be in life, a very small minority of folks that will not just take, but give, of themselves in many ways, so as to promote the gospel, the Bible, and their Christian beliefs, such that others may be saved and/or have the opportunity of advancing in their spiritual lives. Titus was such a person as were many others in history.
Are you in that minority?
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:4
4 To Titus [Titos], mine own [gnesios] son [teknon] after [kata] the common [koinos] faith [pistis]: Grace [charis], mercy [eleos], and peace [eirene], from [apo] God [theos] the Father [pater] and [kai] the Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter]. KJV-Interlinear
4 to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. NASB
The name of Titus is found only in 2 Corinthians, Galatians 1:1-6:18, 2 Timothy, and of course Titus.
The description of Titus that Paul makes, indicates that Titus was a really good friend and aid in Pauls ministry.
Titus was sent to some of the most remote places in the region, facing almost insurmountable odds in getting the gospel spread and setting up and organizing local churches for folks that lived in those places.
Titus helped Paul in Asia Minor, in Mesopotamia, in Crete, and in the far northern regions above today’s Turkey and Greece.
Titus, a gentile, was most probably a very resourceful, skilful, and capable man in dealing with people in general. It is likely that Titus was brought to Christ by Pauls ministry, as Paul here refers to him as a child in the common faith, which is Christianity.
Titus was not Pauls literal child, but this is a term of which today we might say, ‘Best of friends.’
Grace and peace are terms we have already covered in other studies. Grace is a reference to favor, or having the favor of God. Peace is the reference to prosperity, happiness, wealth, and such things that indicate a full, complete, and meaningful life. And such is the life that comes to anyone and everyone who pursues their spiritual life in a legitimate and honorable fashion.
And such a life comes to you only by means of the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. And we might add here, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father is credited with authoring the Divine Decrees (Gods plan), the Son is credited with executing that plan, and the Holy Spirit sustains and reveals that plan.
There is no other means of attaining a perfect and meaningful and full life.
Paul was blessed to know many people who supported his ministry. Those people were blessed because they functioned unselfishly in an obedient and responsible manner within their spiritual lives.
You might ask yourself, ‘where do you fit in that type of picture?’
Most folks see the Bible as free. They take and give nothing in return for what they receive. However, there will be in life, a very small minority of folks that will not just take, but give, of themselves in many ways, so as to promote the gospel, the Bible, and their Christian beliefs, such that others may be saved and/or have the opportunity of advancing in their spiritual lives. Titus was such a person as were many others in history.
Are you in that minority?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Titus 1:3
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:3
3 But [de] hath [phaneroo] in due [idios] times [kairos] manifested [phaneroo] his [autos] word [logos] through [en] preaching [kerugma], which [hos] is committed [pisteuo] unto me [ego] according to [kata] the commandment [epitage] of God [theos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter]; KJV-Interlinear
3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; NASB
God set out His promises in eternity past. Obviously man could not come to know about them until they were revealed.
So, God, at the appropriate time in history, revealed His plan, mandates, principles of truth, doctrines, promises and so forth.
And this information was made known to the appropriate degree so as to help people at any point in history, to be saved and grow up to spiritual maturity.
Adam and Eve knew of the promise of the Savior. ‘The seed of the woman.’ ‘Crush his head,’ and other passages. Adam and Eve knew of the sacrifices and their meanings. They were provided clothes of animal skins.
Where did these skins come from – animals sacrificed. Cain and Abel fought over their respective sacrifices. Or rather Cain killed Abel because of the rejection of his (Cain’s) false sacrifice.
Throughout the scriptures, the prophecies of the Savior were made known. From the family line to the designating star, to the change is rule over the nation, to the precise day of His birth. All of this and far more, was made known during the Old Testament times.
Our dispensation was kept secret and not revealed until the time of its inception. The identity of the Anti-Christ will not be revealed until after the Rapture. Millennial doctrines will not be revealed until that future time. Truth for eternity is reserved until after human history is concluded.
Each dispensation, each generation, each era of time in history brought with it various revelations from God, through human teachers, and here Paul states that he was given the honor of being entrusted with doctrine, in his day. And as he probably did not realize, for all of history after his time.
Jesus Christ is God. He has existed for all of eternity. There was never a time when He did not exist.
Now the humanity of Jesus was born as we are all born into this world, but Jesus Christ is the single and only unique person in all of the universe and heaven, in that He is both God and man, in one person.
This is often times called the hypostatic union. Even the Old Testament reveals this union, Deut. 6:4, ‘Hear O Israel. The Lord is God. The Lord is one.’ The word for ‘one’ means unique.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:3
3 But [de] hath [phaneroo] in due [idios] times [kairos] manifested [phaneroo] his [autos] word [logos] through [en] preaching [kerugma], which [hos] is committed [pisteuo] unto me [ego] according to [kata] the commandment [epitage] of God [theos] our [hemon] Saviour [soter]; KJV-Interlinear
3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; NASB
God set out His promises in eternity past. Obviously man could not come to know about them until they were revealed.
So, God, at the appropriate time in history, revealed His plan, mandates, principles of truth, doctrines, promises and so forth.
And this information was made known to the appropriate degree so as to help people at any point in history, to be saved and grow up to spiritual maturity.
Adam and Eve knew of the promise of the Savior. ‘The seed of the woman.’ ‘Crush his head,’ and other passages. Adam and Eve knew of the sacrifices and their meanings. They were provided clothes of animal skins.
Where did these skins come from – animals sacrificed. Cain and Abel fought over their respective sacrifices. Or rather Cain killed Abel because of the rejection of his (Cain’s) false sacrifice.
Throughout the scriptures, the prophecies of the Savior were made known. From the family line to the designating star, to the change is rule over the nation, to the precise day of His birth. All of this and far more, was made known during the Old Testament times.
Our dispensation was kept secret and not revealed until the time of its inception. The identity of the Anti-Christ will not be revealed until after the Rapture. Millennial doctrines will not be revealed until that future time. Truth for eternity is reserved until after human history is concluded.
Each dispensation, each generation, each era of time in history brought with it various revelations from God, through human teachers, and here Paul states that he was given the honor of being entrusted with doctrine, in his day. And as he probably did not realize, for all of history after his time.
Jesus Christ is God. He has existed for all of eternity. There was never a time when He did not exist.
Now the humanity of Jesus was born as we are all born into this world, but Jesus Christ is the single and only unique person in all of the universe and heaven, in that He is both God and man, in one person.
This is often times called the hypostatic union. Even the Old Testament reveals this union, Deut. 6:4, ‘Hear O Israel. The Lord is God. The Lord is one.’ The word for ‘one’ means unique.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Titus 1:2
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:2
2 In [epi] hope [elpis] of eternal [aionios] life [zoe], which [hos] God [theos], that cannot lie [apseudes], promised [epaggello] before [pro] the world [aionios] began [chronos]; KJV-Interlinear
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, NASB
Eternal life sits in contrast to forever life, which we all have when we are born into this world. However, forever life does not get us into heaven as does eternal life.
When God creates the human soul and imputes human life in it, that life will live forever. The only question is, ‘Where?’ that life will be lived.
For unbelievers it will be lived in the Lake of Fire, forever.
For believers is will be lived in heaven, with eternal God, therefore eternal life.
The ‘hope’ is not wishful thinking. ‘Oh I hope, this or that!’
Hope here is confidence in a result because we believe in the one making us the promise of eternal life. God is our hope, our confidence. We know for sure, because God does not lie, God cannot lie. God is truth. God is immutable and cannot change even His own character and essence.
Therefore, based on our belief and faith in the savior promised and who has come into this world, and died on the Cross in our place, we can have confidence that when we leave this world, God has waiting for us, a better place in heaven, and it is there for us for all of eternity.
Once saved, always saved. Once you believe in the Lord, you cannot undo your belief in Him. Once you have been born, you cannot undo your birth.
There is nothing that you can think, say, or do, there are no sets of circumstances that can remove your salvation and eternal life. Neither man, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers can undo or remove you from Gods protective custody.
Only an arrogant person can think that he can undo what God has done. Only an arrogant person can think that he can discover some sin, some bad thing that was somehow overlooked at the Cross.
This promise was made by God not just in this life, not just during human history, but before the ages (plural - known and unknown ages). In eternity past, God set out His decrees. The Divine Decrees are a Christian principle that recognizes that God looked down through the tunnel of time and saw every possible scenario for history. And there are an infinite number of sets of possibilities.
God selected the best scenario and opportunity for each and every person who will ever live, and established that as His plan. We call this plan the Divine Decrees. In this plan, He included the promise for eternal life, a promise which no one can remove, alter, or prevent.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Titus 1:2
2 In [epi] hope [elpis] of eternal [aionios] life [zoe], which [hos] God [theos], that cannot lie [apseudes], promised [epaggello] before [pro] the world [aionios] began [chronos]; KJV-Interlinear
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, NASB
Eternal life sits in contrast to forever life, which we all have when we are born into this world. However, forever life does not get us into heaven as does eternal life.
When God creates the human soul and imputes human life in it, that life will live forever. The only question is, ‘Where?’ that life will be lived.
For unbelievers it will be lived in the Lake of Fire, forever.
For believers is will be lived in heaven, with eternal God, therefore eternal life.
The ‘hope’ is not wishful thinking. ‘Oh I hope, this or that!’
Hope here is confidence in a result because we believe in the one making us the promise of eternal life. God is our hope, our confidence. We know for sure, because God does not lie, God cannot lie. God is truth. God is immutable and cannot change even His own character and essence.
Therefore, based on our belief and faith in the savior promised and who has come into this world, and died on the Cross in our place, we can have confidence that when we leave this world, God has waiting for us, a better place in heaven, and it is there for us for all of eternity.
Once saved, always saved. Once you believe in the Lord, you cannot undo your belief in Him. Once you have been born, you cannot undo your birth.
There is nothing that you can think, say, or do, there are no sets of circumstances that can remove your salvation and eternal life. Neither man, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers can undo or remove you from Gods protective custody.
Only an arrogant person can think that he can undo what God has done. Only an arrogant person can think that he can discover some sin, some bad thing that was somehow overlooked at the Cross.
This promise was made by God not just in this life, not just during human history, but before the ages (plural - known and unknown ages). In eternity past, God set out His decrees. The Divine Decrees are a Christian principle that recognizes that God looked down through the tunnel of time and saw every possible scenario for history. And there are an infinite number of sets of possibilities.
God selected the best scenario and opportunity for each and every person who will ever live, and established that as His plan. We call this plan the Divine Decrees. In this plan, He included the promise for eternal life, a promise which no one can remove, alter, or prevent.
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