Titus 3:8-11
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
I read this passage, and then read all of chapter 3. Verse 8 is actually referring to the 4 verses before it: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
And while verse 8 belongs with the verses before it, it also is a good precursor to verses 9-11. In verse 9, avoiding foolish controversies, arguments and quarrels about the law is pretty straight forward, but what about "genealogies?" According to my Archeological Bible, this most likely refers to Old Testament history. In which case, genealogies makes sense considering how many family trees we read through when studying the OT.
And I believe that is important. We need to know what we believe, and we need to stand behind our beliefs, but silly arguments about tiny details do not bring people closer to Jesus.
I also like the advice given in verse 10. It is difficult for me to walk away from a person sometimes when they are just insistent on arguing with me. I feel guilty if I don't attempt to smooth things over and leave a conversation on a good note. But Paul tells Titus here not to bother with those who just enjoy arguing. Warn them twice on the problems caused by an argumentative spirit, and then walk away. No point into dragging yourself down.
1 comment:
I loved MacArthur's point in his sermon that we have justified not confronting doctrinal error within the church by using unity as an excuse. That is not unity. That is peace at any cost. We are to be united around the truth of the Word of God.
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