Titus 1
Titus 1:1-16 (NKJV)
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
There is a very necessary order for the gathering of believers/church that is dependent on leadership, beyond that of the pastor, that is living the truth of the Word. Their purpose is to be first responders to the truth of the Word by experiencing its change through its continual application. If the Word will transform lives with the glory of God, there will also be detractors that directly contradict its effect with counter-views. It will also be severely inhibited in its impact by those in positions of influence who simply have no response, provide no support, or even join in with opposing comments to what has been shared. This is treating the wonderful presentation of God’s heart with disregard or dishonor, and this attitude will not just be theirs alone as it gets spread to those they influence. Titus is instructed to strongly rebuke any that fail to demonstrate an effect of the Word on how they live.
How blessed we are with each one who responds to the truth in the Word and experiences its inevitable effect when applied. There is the greatest honor and validation given to the presence of God when this takes place as an atmosphere is formed for the working of the Spirit in other needy lives.