Titus 2:1

Verse of the Day: Titus 2:1

“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” – Titus 2:1 

Paul here is speaking with one of the great leaders of the first century church.  Titus was a faithful servant of Christ and a valuable companion of Paul in some of his missionary journeys.  He served several churches in Corinth, Dalmatia and Crete.  Paul here is encouraging Titus to make sure all that he speaks and teaches should be of sound doctrine, ensuring that they grow in Christ and believe the absolute truth.  This word, I am confident was not meant just for Titus, but for all Christian leaders.

However, I want to assert that, as Christians, if we are discussing Christian issues with fellow Christians in a training context or are going out and spreading the gospel of Christ to the lost, this applies to us as well.  We must make it our focus to understand what we teach or share.  Be like the Berean’s in that you do not tell others what someone else says without checking it out to ensure it is truth.  It does not matter how famous or educated they are.  Remember, Paul commended the Bereans for checking what he said for accuracy.

As Christians, we are called to make disciples of all nations.  Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  If you are not, I encourage you to study and prepare to make it happen.  And if/when you do, ensure what you are saying is truth.  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15.  It is our calling.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Verse of the Day Devotion:  2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Paul is writing here to Timothy at the end of his letter charging him in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ to be diligent in discipling those under his care.  This is very important to him because he was then imprisoned in Rome for a second time and shortly before his death.  Paul had worked extremely hard in teaching the truth to the church and He wanted this to continue after his death.  And Paul did not just suggest this or tell him, he charged him.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2.  Note all that Timothy was being called to do.  To preach the word in season and out of season.  In other words. be urgent whether the times are prosperous or not, whenever there is an opportunity and when there is none, strive to make one. The Judge is at the door and to every man eternity is at hand!  Wherever  you meet one in  sin speak to him the word of reconciliation. Do not be content with stated times and accustomed places for all times and places belong to God and are proper for his work.  Wherever it can be done, there it should be done. Satan will omit neither time nor place where he can destroy. Omit nothing where you may be the instrument of salvation to someone.

And why is this important?  Paul states his reason in our focus verses.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3-4.  He is to press home the truth of the word of God on every occasion whether it is convenient of not for the urgency of the message overrides any other circumstance whether or not the situation is favorable or not.  Because there is a time coming to the Church when people will not hear the practical truth of the gospel when they prefer something else.  They will interpret the word in a way that agrees with their lusts and will go out and find teachers that agrees with them.  And he encourages Timothy to stand firm to the truth.  “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5. 

Unfortunately, we live in a day where this has become true.  Many still stand firm in believing the truth, however, there are many who look for a church that teaches things that are absolutely sinful and encourages the people to follow these teachings.  There are various places that are called churches that teach homosexuality is ok to the point that many of their leadership practice this lifestyle, even though the scriptures condemn it.  Now, to make this clear, we are to reach out to the homosexual to help them see the truth that the activity is sin, but we must never allow this to be in the church.  One other issue that can be brought up is abortion, which many church goers declare to be acceptable.  However, murder is never acceptable, no matter who it is.

We as leaders in the church must preach what the scriptures say and not what it does not say  We must understand what God says is sin and teach it as such and not accept it simply because our society says so.  And there are preachers out there that will teach what is socially acceptable in order to be accepted themselves.  Whatever God has declared as sin is sin and must be preached accordingly, and what He has declared as righteous must be preached accordingly.  To do anything else is to lead people away from the truth and cause many to be condemned at Jesus’s coming if they do not hear and follow God’s word as stated.  We should desire that all be saved and none condemned.  Therefore, as Paul said to Timothy he says to us.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2.  Let us shower the world with God’s truth everywhere we go and do all we can to help everyone understand and follow it.  If that requires reproof, then reprove them.  If correction, then rebuke. If exhortation, then encourage them in the truth.  Our goal is to lead as many as we can to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Let all we do accomplish that goal and not lead them astray simply because they want to hear a different word.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Peter 4:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 4:7 

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” – 1 Peter 4:7  

Peter is exhorting those he is writing to that they should realize the end of all things is near, that this world and its sinful ways will soon end.  Jesus spoke many times regarding this world as they know it coming to an end, that their suffering will be coming to an end.  The church during this time was under a two-fold attack.  First there was Rome.  If you did not worship Caesar as God, then you would be subject to punishment up to and including death.  Rome hated the early church and wanted it done away with.  A classic example of this is the death of the Apostle John’s disciple Polycarp.  He was arrested for his Christian faith, and because of this taken into the arena.  When they required him to denounce and reproach Christ, he said, “86 years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”  He refused to denounce Him, so they burned him alive.

The Jews also persecuted the Christians.  They would bring them in to be tried and if they did not renounce Christ, they would find themselves punished.  And as we see from several instances that happened to Paul, they worked with the Roman government, just as they did regarding the crucifixion of Christ.

This was the level of persecution the Christians endured during this time.  And it grew greater as time went by.  What Peter was telling the church was that these days would not last forever, that soon, this would end.  And he encouraged them to remain strong throughout all this.  He told them to remain sober, meaning serious and thoughtful.  Also to remain calm and collected.  Yes, these times will be difficult, but do not let it take away your serious expectations of what is coming.  Instead of losing control over what they are seeing, they were encouraged them to spend time in prayer, going before God and lifting up their concerns to Him.  They should abstain from anything of a sinful nature, so as to be ready for the time when all this is over. 

And this should be our answer to this as well.  Things today are getting very difficult.  We need to be encouraged as well that the end is coming soon, and we must remain calm, cool and collected.  We must not lose control of ourselves, but carefully remain in prayer with the one who will take care of us.  We are seeing the church ridiculed and looked at in negative terms, being called racist, sexist and the remover of people’s rights.  Just remain calm and do not give in to their desires, for God’s plan for us is right on time.  He is with you and in you.  No matter what they do, stand firm.  Your reward is coming soon, in fact, it is on the way. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.