The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 3:10,
"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned."
Paul tells Titus to avoid people he has warned a couple of times about being divisive within the fellowship. Some people argue about a lot of things, and if it isn't one thing, then it is another. I'm sure you have encountered just such people. Hopefully that does not describe you or me!
The reason they will argue about one thing or another constantly is due to what Paul tells Titus in verse 11, "You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned." They are just going to argue and can use up the energy and efforts of those who are engaged in promoting God's plan of redemption, rendering them less effective for the kingdom of God. I think they are Satan's "plants" he has put in place for his purposes of stopping or slowing the spread of the gospel message. Consequently, Paul tells Titus to have nothing to do with them.
Paul's last words in the previous chapter are, "Do not let anyone despise you." It is evident that when you decide to have nothing to do with someone who wants to always argue, there's going to be some despising going on, on the part of the divisive person. It would seem to me what Paul has in mind is that Titus is to comport himself in such a way there is no legitimate accusation that can be brought against him as he teaches God's truth to the fellowship, which could, likewise, hamper the spread of the gospel.
"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned."
Paul tells Titus to avoid people he has warned a couple of times about being divisive within the fellowship. Some people argue about a lot of things, and if it isn't one thing, then it is another. I'm sure you have encountered just such people. Hopefully that does not describe you or me!
The reason they will argue about one thing or another constantly is due to what Paul tells Titus in verse 11, "You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned." They are just going to argue and can use up the energy and efforts of those who are engaged in promoting God's plan of redemption, rendering them less effective for the kingdom of God. I think they are Satan's "plants" he has put in place for his purposes of stopping or slowing the spread of the gospel message. Consequently, Paul tells Titus to have nothing to do with them.
Paul's last words in the previous chapter are, "Do not let anyone despise you." It is evident that when you decide to have nothing to do with someone who wants to always argue, there's going to be some despising going on, on the part of the divisive person. It would seem to me what Paul has in mind is that Titus is to comport himself in such a way there is no legitimate accusation that can be brought against him as he teaches God's truth to the fellowship, which could, likewise, hamper the spread of the gospel.
The whole of it is the concern that the gospel message not be impeded by our own actions or the actions of others.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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