I was just reading the book of Titus today. It is Paul’s instruction to Titus on the matter of formulation and guidelines for the churches. What I find in current writing today on this matter seems to contain very little of the content that Paul used to instruct Titus. In current “wisdom” it seems to be mostly about administration and programming. I do not doubt that good administration and programming is beneficial, but it is far from the emphasis that was given to Titus.
If you would give just a casual read to this three-chapter book you will find that Paul’s instruction centered on the matter of holiness. It is all about standards for pastors, leaders, men, women and young people. It is clear that the effectiveness of God’s people and that their fruitfulness is contingent upon their practical acquisition of holiness. How else can you understand the fourth chapter of Second Corinthians?
However, it seems to me that holiness has been greatly set aside in these days because it is judged to be to great a burden to lay upon God’s people. Notice this verse with me from the Gospel of John:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
What else can abiding in Christ mean, but to live in holiness? One cause for the confusion is this matter of counting noses. Do we count the cults blessed of God because they attract great numbers? Would we affirm that ungodly rock groups are blessed of God because they sell great numbers of albums? Is pornography a great thing because it is a booming business in our land?
I think it is a fair question to ask, if our ministries are calling people to holy lives.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
