Sunday Stillness – How do we become sound in the faith?
I am continuing to study Titus using the SIMPLE Method of Bible Study and Ed Hird’s book Restoring Health. Today I am working through Titus 1:13,14.
To learn more about this Bible Study go to my Bookstore.
Of course, I start with a prayer for God to open the Scripture to me.
S – Say the passage aloud.
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth (1 Titus:13, 14).
I – Identify the characters, the setting, and the circumstances surrounding this passage.
Testimony: This is referring to verse 12: all Cretans are evil brutes, liars and lazy gluttons.
Rebuke: tell them “no”. Be wiling to stand up for the faith.
M- Make a list of the thoughts, questions and ideas.
So how does this apply now? What and who are the ones who are making money dishonestly using “Christianity” as their catalyst? Are there some Christian speakers? writers? singers? Who is real before God? Who are followers of Christ and not themselves? How can I tell who is real?
The Message says:
For there are a lot of rebels out there … Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. … He (the prophet) certainly spoke the truth. Get on them right away (Titus 1:10-16, NIV).
[Titus] started a truth revolution, a Jesus revolution. Through speaking the truth to a pirate culture not that dissimilar from our North American culture (Ed Hird, Restoring Heatlh, Page 55).
So what is truth?
I heard this:
When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense (Interpreting Scripture).
We in North America are seeking other “truths” in man-made knowledge. What in our modern day compares to this? Movies, gossip, self-help books, astrology charts, fortune tellers, Eastern religions and their activities?
P – Pray again for God’s guidance.
God kept saying to me: “See the myths vs the truth”.
L- Life – How can I apply what I have been studying to my life?
If we believe in the Bible we can check all things by reading what God says. We are to be graphed to the vine (John 15). And if we are graphed, the Holy Spirit will flow through us to teach and admonish us through His Word. ‘What would Jesus do?’ question makes sense if we are a part of Him.
I see many things that are NOT a part of God. Do you?
Can we separate ourselves from those things but still live in the world and love all people?
Truth is the way of health and life … Violence is the way of death. Jesus is the way of life. (Ed Hird, Restoring Health, page 55).
We need to OPEN our eyes to see how we may be pulled away into the world. Here are a few examples:
- Do you listen to gossip? Do you add to the conversation? Do you start your own gossip tale?
- Have you read or seen or played violence for the sake of entertainment?
- Are you forwarding emails without checking the accuracy of the truth to the statement?
- Are you forgetting to pray for God’s will in the lives and decisions of the leaders of our countries? Or are you just complaining and spreading hatred?
As for the rebuking those who don’t follow the truth – I will continue to write what I learn from God’s Word. Even one person is worth fighting for. Jesus wanted to find the lost sheep. If we focus on speaking the truth someone will hear. This is how I found Jesus – someone found me and led me to Him.
E – Exit the passage with a prayer for God to help you.
Thanks Lord, for the excitement I feel about speaking the truth. I will continue to focus on Your Word and what You tell me to say. I will rest in Your truth in order to restore my mind, body and spirit. And it is not easy separating ourselves from worldly pursuits. Help us to see whether our activities and actions are of You. Help us to pull away from anything that would not be of Your will for us. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
TWEETABLE:
I see many things that are NOT a part of God. Do you? (click tweet)
[Titus] started a truth revolution, a Jesus revolution. (click to tweet)
TODAY IS SUNDAY STILLNESS.
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Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Sunday Stillness – How do we become sound in the faith? – Growing Through God’s Word.
