The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 27 January 2020 – Resist Ungodliness
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TOPIC: Resist Ungodliness
READ: TITUS 1:1-16 (NKJV)
- 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,
- in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
- but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
- To Titus, a true son in [our] common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
- 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 —
- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
- 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,
- but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
- 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.
- For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
- whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
- One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans [are] always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
- This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
- 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.
- They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s reading, Paul reminded Titus of the reason for which he left him at Crete – to set in order the things that needed to be put in order and appoint elders in each Church: A man who is to be made an elder must be blameless, a husband of one wife, having faithful children who are not accused of being wild and disobedient. Nowadays, many people have been appointed elders in Churches in total disregard to the qualities set forth in this scripture. Some people are appointed elders because of their wealth; in fact, some armed robbers, notorious politicians, adulterers, occult people and polygamists with disobedient and riotous children are elders or knights in some Churches. They hijack the Church, brutalise the pastors, block Church accounts, squander Church money and cause confusion in the Church. Some members even embark on election malpractices to get elected into various committees of the Church.
If you are an elder, committee member, pastor or overseer in any Christian organisation, you must use sound doctrine to resist and stop the people who preach false doctrines, deceivers, idle talkers and jesters. Verse 16 shows the difference between talk and walk. People don’t really know you as a Christian because of your words, but because of your walk or lifestyle. Jesus said “by their fruits, ye shall know them.” Live your talk. Live what you profess.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be sober and self-controlled. Help me to use sound doctrines to overcome false doctrines in Jesus name, Amen.
