01/31/2020 – Day 259 – Titus 1 -3 – the entire book: an urgent call to be zealous for good works. see 2: 12
I become more convinced in the many times now I have been through this short book written by Titus, the Greek who : 1) accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, 2) took on the troublesome situation in Corinth and finished strong with this book in Crete about A.D. 65; that in fact this verse theme challenges throughout.
After rereading the verse, reflect and pray on this footnote presentation on this verse:
“The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and for that may God be praised, but it is also a message of repentence. It is a message of atonement, but it is also a message of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world. It tells us that we must accept a savior, but it tells also that we must deny godliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God even unto death.
To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurst him worst.”
A.W. Tozier
And verse 3:10! : “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.” And expounded in the footnote: “It is wise to avoid those brethren who only want to argue about doctrine. Rather, put your energy into reaching the lost.”
“Worship of the loving God is man’s whole reason for existence. That is why we are born and that is why we are born again from above. That is why we were created and that is why we have been recreated. That is why there was a genesis at the beginning, and that is why there is a re-genesis, called regeneration.”
A.W. Tozier Once again! You go brother….
On a lighter note, but not insignificant , I will close on some tidbits about Crete from Halley’s Bible Handbook:
“An island , also known as Candia, southeast of Greece on the border between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, about 150 miles long, and 7 to 30 wide. Mountainous, but its valley’s were fertile and populous and rich, the “island of a hundred cities.” The seat of an ancient and powerful civilization that had already become legendary at the dawn of Greek history. ….
The nucleus of the Church in Crete , probably , was started by the “Cretans” who were at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). There is no New Testament mention of an Apostolic visit to Crete, other than by Paul, on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27), and that implied in the Epistle to Titus. Inasmuch as Paul was inclined to avoid building on other men’s foundations, it seems likely that the Cretan churches, in the main, were Paul’s work. Else he would not have assumed authority over them indicated in this Epistle. Possibly they may have been the fruit of his work in Corinth or Ephesus, both of which cities were nearby.” ….
Cretans were considered daring sailors and famous bowmenm with a bad moral reputation.
Soli Deo Gloria!