This witness is true. Wherefore
rebuke them sharply, that they
may be sound in the faith; not
giving heed to Jewish fables, and
commandments of men, that turn
from the truth. Unto the pure all
things are pure: but unto them
that are defiled and unbelieving is
nothing pure; but even their mind
and conscience is defiled. They profess
that they know God; but in works they
deny Him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good
work reprobate.
Titus 1:13-16
As a reminder, this blog is all about changing from the inside/out, to become an Authentic Christian leaving behind the things of this world and living as what God has made all His children, living eternally in a world made just for them. As was the early Christians, bombarded by many who changed the Gospel into another gospel, and by the Judiazers who desired to imposed the old festivals, and rituals that were a part of the Old Covenant and not a part of the New Covenant, we are faced with men inside the Church, claiming to be Authentic Christians but are teaching a gospel that is not the Gospel. Things have not changed much over these last 2,000 years. New faces, but the same old doctrines that are not Scriptural. The other day as I was channel surfing I came upon a program, a "god" program, where this man, probably called himself a pastor or prophet, or just a teacher, whatever, what he was doing was what has so often been done: "just send a prayer request and he would put it on a pile of prayer request, and then pray over them and God would answer his pray. Now send in some "seed" money with the request and God will multiply this "seed" money....etc......" Where in the Bible is this taught? It is not. Yet people are duped into doing just that, sending money, prayer requests as though this man has something special with God that they do not and his prayers will be answered as though theirs would not. Blasphemy!
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit Paul could say: "This witness is true" (vs. 13a). We need no other "new" revelation, some new doctrine, it is all in the Bible. Paul then gives the admonition about these men and women who taught a new form of Christianity, or requiring men and women to do to get, and that is to "rebuke them" "sharply." When was the last time you heard a pastor speak sharply against such heresy? What they teach is impure, and their minds are defiled, so leave them, run from them, run to the Bible, to those who teach the Bible pure and without some sort of "new" and special revelation. These heretics profess to know God but they do not, they are abominable and disobedient to the word of God, and every work they do is reprobate.
Paul lovingly adds: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior, as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blaspheme" (Titus 3:1-5). Pure Authentic Christian Faith is laid out here by Paul to teach us how and what God requires of His children. We are to be the image of Jesus Christ, not the image as some would have a person become, for it is not in how we euphorically, emphatically by gyrations, and some mumble jumble, gibberish sound that we are in the image of Jesus Christ. No! We are in the image of Jesus Christ if we would apply what Paul has reiterated for God's people. Jesus lived a humble life, with only one objective and that is to represent God on earth, and then to die as a perfect man, God in a man, a God/man who did not try to become rich, or famous, or to be the king of the Jews as the Jews wanted, no, He lived to be a witness for God. This is should be our one objective.
Does this mean that we are to go about in sack cloth and ashes? No, with a sour face? No! with some special clothing? No! We live and enjoy this time on earth, for God has allowed us to live here until our death or His return, and that enjoyment could be a vacation, dancing, laughing, hiking, fishing, and so and so on...... But, we do all with God manifested in all we do, this is Authentic Christian Faith in action. Joy, is the life of a Christian, and joy is yours free, you are saved from eternal death, you are saved for life eternal. Be a witness, both in speech and action and you will be displaying the image of Jesus Christ. Living for God is a blessed life: Be obedient and leave all the consequences to God.
Behold, the LORD's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot
save; neither His ear heavy
that it cannot hear
Isaiah 59:1
Obedience brings blessings
Richard L. Crumb
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