The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Titus 2:1-8, “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible.

7 In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,

8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

It is doubted by some that the Apostle Paul actually wrote this letter. Doubters, however, often arise when the contents of a letter speak to things that call their own lack of discipline into question. Titus was Paul’s salutation, however, as the letter’s recipient shows. Further, it was Titus who had accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem at the conclusion of their first missionary journey.

The Cretans are said to have been “a turbulent race…neither peaceable among themselves, nor patient of foreign dominions.” Undoubtedly, Paul would have known their temperament, as he placed Titus in their midst for giving them spiritual instruction. Nevertheless, Paul issued some spiritual instructions for the church: 1) It was to be an orderly church; 2) it was to be a sound-in-the-faith church; and 3) it was to be a practical church.

There is no doubt that the church today needs what Paul found lacking in the Cretan church. May we trust the LORD to help the church we serve today to be what He wanted in Crete. Paul’s idea for the church was an orderly organization, soundness in faith and morals, and practical works of piety and philanthropy. For the Christian worker, he wanted “love of order and method, a healthy, living orthodoxy coupled with sober minds and chastened speech.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom