I've been spending much time lately, as I periodically do, reviewing the pastoral epistles. I find this to be a healthy check of my spiritual walk, seeing where I need to continue sharpening to be the man of God He desires I be. I say that very, very humbly, because there is always room to grow!
But near the end of the Titus listing of "qualifications" I stopped this morning on Titus 1:9, which reminded me of one reason why I named this blog "Holding Fast". We all cling to something, and Paul reminds us here that what we should cling to, hold fast to, is the faithful Word. And the reason given is for the man of God to be able to exhort in sound doctrine (strongly encourage) as well as refute those who contradict this same Word. Simply put, how can you teach someone (family, church, etc.) if you do not know this Word? Further, how can you tell if someone is in error, if you do not know this Word?
Pastors are given a daunting task, often teaching those who do not want to be taught. Parents, fathers especially, are commanded to teach their children, lead their families, under the leadership of Christ, THE Word! All of this hinges on God's Word. It is required that we know it.
Beyond knowing it, then, we must live it. There are no other Biblically acceptable options.
Pray with me today that our churches would embrace the truth of this Word. So many today are compromising on its very truth. Pray also for pastors who strive day after day to make this truth known and practiced. They accept the mostly underappreciated efforts, so that we might benefit, that we might grow, that we might accept correction from this very Word. And pray for a hungry soul to cross our paths, in order to be changed by this same Word.
