God's Rubric To Keep His People Clean

For this cause left I thee in Crete,

that thou shouldest set in order

the things that are wanting, 

and ordain elders in every city, 

as I had appointed thee; if any

be blameless, the husband of one

wife, having faithful children not

accused of riot or unruly. For a

bishop must be blameless, as

the steward of God; not selfwilled,

not soon angry, not given to wine, 

no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

but a lover of good men, sober,

just, holy, temperate; holding fast

the faithful word as he hath been

taught, that he may be able by

sound doctrine both to exhort

and to convince the gainsayers.

2Timothy 1:5-9

     Paul sets forth the rubric to choose men who would lead the congregations. Titus having been sent to Crete came there with the orders of Paul to set the Churches there in order and in qualifications for leaders. It is worthy to note that Paul does not discriminate between elders and bishops as both are called by either name. The character and qualifications for an elder(bishop) as outlined in Titus correspond to what the apostle Paul had written to Timothy. The person to be chosen as an elder(bishop) must not be of ill character, rather he must have a good report; not to be grossly or scandalously guilty, this would bring reproach upon the holy function of the Church. This portion of Paul's words to Titus is so misused by the Church today and that is the pastor is to be the husband of one wife. The dissension in the Church today over this command has caused much strife and unnecessary pain and suffering. How? If a person does not know history and apply that knowledge then all sorts of doctrines and rules are set forth that are not Scriptural. In the world of Paul divorce was common for almost anything, trivial things, as was being done in the Jewish communities, then the person divorcing their spouse run off and marry another which just may be the reason for the divorce in the first place. This command can be taken that the person who is to be a Church leader must be the husband of one wife and this not according to the sinful practices of the day. 

     Children, how the world has gone out to empower children, to put children on a pedestal and give to them power and the right to be "children" as though this is an acceptable excuse for whatever they do. Because of this many children ore disrespectful, thinking the have rights that they have not even earned. Parents give them money and whatever they want just to be seen as "good" parents. In fact, many parents are working, both, just to have things, to be seen as successful and by this do not take time to be with their children, Oh, they do take them to various functions, even attend those functions, but little is done to rear them in the nurture of the Lord. Paul is clear that to be a Church leader their children must be faithful and pious, brought up in Authentic Christian Faith. Children are to be living Authentic Christian Faith. This is honorable for a Church leader, but it is honorable for all who call themselves Christian. Children who are faithful are bring honor to their parents and will be a good sign of the faithfulness and diligence of the parent, who has educated and instructed them. 

     Not given to wine, that is not to be a drunkard, to drink heavily so as to desire the feeling of being under the influence of alcohol. It is not the drinking of wine that is the problem, it is to be drinking wine, alcohol beverages just to be come drunk. How could this be an honor, and to be a good steward of God's children? It can't! Today when one travels the motels and hotels have pornography available and in the seclusion of a motel room a person may be watching in private this lucre and sinfulness. Just remember that in this day all that is done by watching TV is recorded so that if a person is to be examined this will come out as being done. No secrets, no living outside the will of God and this means that to be truly ethical a person must do the right thing even when no one is watching. God's children must be holy.

     Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church: "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty" (2Corinthians 4:3). Have you "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty", those things that your honor will not allow to come to light? Are you walking in craftiness, that is, resorting to things that are hidden but are a great snare, and may even be things that you have taught against. Many people have fallen back into sin because they are afraid to look at things from God's standpoint. There is a a crisis we all must face and that crisis comes spiritually when a person has to emerge a bit farther on than the creed he has accepted. Creeds are necessary and will help a person to remember what God has done, but a person must not just know creeds, he or she must apply God's word in their lives. There is no middle ground, either you are serving God or serving Satan. The choice is yours!

And moreover, because the preacher was wise,

     he still taught the people knowledge; yes,

he gave good heed, and sought out and set 

     in order many proverbs. The preacher

sought to find out acceptable words: and 

    that which was written was upright,

even words of truth.

                    Ecclesiastes 12:9-10

Choose wisely: Your soul is at stake

Richard L. Crumb