Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 25

Paul Reminds Titus of what we should not do because of the Grace of God Given to Us

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. KJV

Now Paul reminds Brother Titus and we true believers of every era and generation of what we should not be doing, with these words, "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." (Titus 3:9) (KJV). The English word 'avoid' is translated by the Greek word periistēmi which means basically the same as our English definition which is to keep away from: - avoid, shun, or stand aloof from. The English word 'genealogies' is translated by the Greek word genealogia which means tracing by generations ones ancestry. When Paul writes, 'foolish questions', he is referring to things of no benefit or usefulness in the matter of the Gospel of the Grace of God and whether or not a sinner is saved by hearing and believing the Gospel. These stupid useless questions about all sorts of silly nonsense only left people to wander away from what was then and is still now and forever will be and that is that human beings are sinners period and their only hope for restoration, redemption, and resurrection life is found in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.

Here is what Adam Clarke wrote concerning these 'foolish questions' and genealogies so often spoke of amongst the Jews, "In these the Jews particularly delighted; they abounded in the most frivolous questions; and, as they had little piety themselves, they were solicitous to show that they had descended from godly ancestors. Of their frivolous questions, and the answers given to them by the wisest and most reputable of their rabbins, the following is a specimen: - Rabbi Hillel was asked: Why have the Babylonians round heads? To which he answered: This is a difficult question, but I will tell the reason: Their heads are round because they have but little wit. Why are the eyes of the Tarmudians so soft? Because they inhabit a sandy country. Why have the Africans broad feet? Because they inhabit a marshy country. But ridiculous and trifling as these are, they are little in comparison to those solemnly proposed and most gravely answered by those who are called the schoolmen. These, with many thousands of others, of equal use to religion and common sense, may be found in their writings. See the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, passim. Might not the Spirit have these religious triflers in view, rather than the less ridiculous Jews?"

When Paul writes, 'and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain', he means specifically the Jewish Talmud which is the collection of ancient rabbinic writings on Jewish law and tradition (the Mishna and the Gemara) that constitute the basis of religious authority in Orthodox Judaism. The Apostle Paul knew very well what he spoke of here in regard to the many contentions and strivings that went on concerning the Talmud, for he was once one of those (as a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin) participating in much of the striving and contending. The English word 'contentions' is translated by the Greek word eris meaning a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling: - contention, debate, strife, variance. The English word 'strivings' is translated by the Greek word machē meaning a battle, that is, (figuratively) controversy: - fighting, strive, striving. In other words, all the minutia found in the Jewish Talmud (put there by sinful Jewish Rabbi') created reasons for striving and contending about these useless and profitless man made rules, rituals, and regulations that had no Divine Authority or Power with them, but the Gospel of the Grace of God (which each one of us born again believers have received and are continuing to receive) has the Divine Power of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit with it to do what ever it is that the will of God decrees, declares, and determines to be done in His Name and for His Glory, therefore, the old Jewish traditions and minutia is obselete under the grace of God.

This is whay Paul declares them to be 'unprofitable', that is, useless and 'vain', that is, empty or without any value whatsoever. Here is what Matthew Henry wrote concerning the contentions and strivings about the law being worthless and vain, "There were those who were for the Mosaic rites and ceremonies, and would have them continued in the Church, though by the Gospel and the coming of Christ they were superseded and done away. Titus must give no countenance to these, but avoid and oppose them; for they are unprofitable and vain: this is to be referred to all those foolish questions and genealogies, as well as those strivings about the law. They are so far from instructing and building up in godliness, that they are hindrances of it rather: the Christian religion, and good works, which are to be maintained, will hereby be weakened and prejudiced, the peace of the Church disturbed, and the progress of the Gospel hindered. Observe, Ministers must not only teach things good and useful, but shun and oppose the contrary, what would corrupt the faith, and hinder godliness and good works; nor should people have itching ears, but love and embrace sound doctrine, which tends most to the use of edifying."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…





Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 24

Paul Reminds Titus of what we should do because of the Grace of God Given to Us

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. KJV Note: CEV=Contemporary English Version and MKJV=Modern King James Version

As the Apostle begins to conclude this letter to Brother Titus, he wants to now remind him and we true believers of every era and generation of what we should be doing and what we should not be doing because of our reception of this wonderful grace we have received from our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and the grace we continually receive from Him as we sojourn down here on the earth as pilgrims away from our heavenly home, first what we should do as it is written, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3:8) (KJV). When Paul writes these words at the very beginning of this verse, 'This is a faithful saying', he means that Brother Titus and we can trust it to be the decided, determined, and direct will of Almighty God. The little English phrase 'affirm constantly' that follows shortly after is translated by the Greek word diabebaioomai meaning to confirm thoroughly (by words), that is, asseverate (state categorically): - affirm constantly. The very next statement of Paul is what he wills or directs Brother Titus to state categorically, that is, affirm constantly which is 'that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works', and by this he means that the grace of God that we have received should be empowering and energizing everyone who has believed in God to live lives radically different from when we did not know God personally through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'might be careful' is translated by the Greek word phrontizō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to exercise thought, that is, be anxious: - be careful. The little English phrase 'to maintain' is translated by the Greek word proistēmi meaning (as used here) to practice at all times. The English word 'good' is translated by the Greek word kalos meaning properly beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), that is, valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use. The English word 'works' is translated by the Greek word ergon which means (as used here) by implication an act: - deed.

In other words, it means that we should be doing acts of charity to others, that is, giving to help others in need, but these acts of benevolence should begin within the household of believers in need as Paul wrote with these words to the Galatian Church, "We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord." (Galatians 6:10) (CEV). It also means that we should support with our finances and our prayers the faithful Pastors, Evangelist, Teachers, etc., who are giving out the truth of the Gospel and the entire Word of God as the Apsotle Paul declared to be true of himself to the Ephesian brethren when he was about to depart from them for the last time on earth, "But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify fully the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all will see my face no more, among whom I went proclaiming the kingdom of God. Therefore I testify to you on this day that I am pure from the blood of all. For I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which He has purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:24-28) (MKJV). When we the children of God are allowing the grace of God to have rule and reign in us, then the lives we live out in this world of woe everyday will cause no harm to other human beings, but instead will be a source of benefit to all as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Church @ Rome with these words, "Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. In the Law there are many commands, such as, 'Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not want what belongs to others.' But all of these are summed up in the command that says, 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' No one who loves others will harm them. So love is all that the Law demands. You know what sort of times we live in, and so you should live properly. It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord. Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light. So behave properly, as people do in the day. Don't go to wild parties or get drunk or be vulgar or indecent. Don't quarrel or be jealous. Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won't try to satisfy your selfish desires." (Romans 13:8-14) (CEV).

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say about this verse of Scripture, "Here, then, we have the Apostle's last will and testament, so to speak, left to all the Churches, that 'they which believe in God might be careful to maintain good works.' According to that, the hall-mark of a Christian is conduct - 'good works.' But we must beware of narrowing the meaning of that expression, as is too often done, so as to include in it mainly certain conventional forms of charity or beneficence, like 'slumming' or tract-distributing, or Sunday- school teaching, and the like. These and such as these are, no doubt, one form of good works, but by no means the whole, and their having all but monopolized the name is one reason why many Christian people fail to apprehend the full significance of New Testament teaching on the subject. These acts are but as a creek in a great sea. Paul tells us what he takes to be included in the designation, when he bids the Philippians think on 'whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,' and having thought on them, do them. I have omitted one word in that quotation, for Paul speaks also of 'whatsoever things are lovely.' Loveliness is an essential quality of the highest kind of good works. Many of us know that the Greeks, wise beyond many who have clearer light but duller eyes, used the same word to express goodness and beauty. The Apostle uses that pregnant word in our text, and we should well ponder the teaching given by that word. For it tells Christians that they are to take heed to make their goodness lovely, not to 'graft grace on a crab-stock,' nor to present a frowning goodness to the world. It is not enough that they who believe in God should be careful to exhibit conduct which commends itself to every man's conscience as right and pure. They should also commend themselves as being fair with a more than earthly beauty, and lustrous with a more than earthly radiance. There are many Christian people who spoil the effect of high-principled, self-sacrificing conduct by forgetting that beautifulness is an essential part of the highest goodness. Sour grapes are not the grapes that are intended to be grown on the true vine. But now, will you notice, as a further light upon Paul's notion of how to go about growing these grapes, what goes before? 'These things. I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which believe in God might be careful to maintain good works.' What are 'these things'? They are a brief summary of what we call 'the Gospel'; the evangelical teaching that 'the kindness and love of God our Saviour' had 'appeared,' and that 'He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost... that.. 'we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.' In effect Paul says to Titus: 'Now keep on insisting upon that.' The word translated 'affirm constantly' is a very strong one. It means a forcible and continually repeated enunciation, and the plain English of Paul’s injunction to Titus is: Keep on preaching the Gospel as the surest way to produce disciples full of good works. People say to us: 'Come down to daily life and conduct; never mind your dogmas.' If you leave out what these critics mean by dogma, and try to make daily life beautiful without it, you may as well hold your tongue. And the men who forget to 'affirm' these things 'constantly,' and preach morals without Gospel, are like Builders who begin to build on the second story, whose baseless castles in the air are sure to come down in ruins. The true way to produce moral conduct is to bring into clear prominence evangelical truth. But notice again, it is 'those which believe in God who will be careful to maintain good works.' That is to say, faith is the productive cause of good works, and good works are, as I said,' the hall-mark of faith.' If a man believes, then he will do 'good works.' The converse must also be true. If a man does not do good works, what, then, about his belief? 'Show me thy faith without thy works' - that is an impossible demand. The only way to show faith is by our works, and so all attempts to rend them apart, either in theory or in practice, are as absurd as it would be to take a piece of cloth, and try to tear away the inside from the outside. 'Faith' is the underside, 'good works' is the upper, and the web is one. Faith is the principle of works; works are the manifestation and making visible of faith. So now turn for a moment to another point.

The Apostle's command here implies a principle, that Christian work should always, and will always, if the faith is genuine, be in advance of all other sorts of good work. That is implied in one of the words used here which means literally' be foremost, stand in the front,' and I see no reason why the literal meaning should not be retained here. If it is retained, we have the thought implied - if you are a Christian man you should be ahead of the world in your goodness. You should lead, and not follow, or keep step with those who are not Christians. The Church's morality on the wide scale and individual practice on the narrow, ought to be, and will be, if we are true to the Gospel, far in advance of the ordinary opinion and practice of the day in which we Bye. If we are Christians, we are meant to be leaders, and that means that we shall often, like other leaders, have to endure a great deal of obloquy (state of disgrace resulting from public abuse) and calumny (a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions) from the people whom we are trying to lead, and who are loitering behind us. The Christian Church, as the Apostle James says, is meant to be a 'kind of first fruits of God’s creatures,' ripe before the others, riper than the others always. Does the Christian Church lead the conscience of England to-day? Does it even try to do it? Does it recognise that its function is not to re-echo the morality of the street or of the newspaper, but to peal out the morality of Jesus Christ? Is it enough that Christian people should be as good, as charitable, as beneficent, as much interested in social questions as others, or should have the better, the purer, and the happier lives of the community for their great aim, as much as other people have them? Would it be enough to say 'the electric light is about as bright as a tallow candle?' Is it enough to say, 'Christian people keep abreast of the world’s morality?' Let them go in advance, and if they go very far ahead sometimes, none the worse; the laggards will perhaps come up. But at all events, whether they do or not, 'I will that these things thou affirm constantly, in order that they which believe in God may take the lead in good works.' And now there is a last point to be noted, and that is the Apostle's warning that, although thus the belief of the Gospel, and the faith which springs from the belief, are the spring of good work, yet these will not become ours unless we are careful to stand in front. What does that carefulness mean? The word implies two things, and the first of them may be put in the shape of an exhortation - bring your brains to bear on these truths that are being thus 'constantly affirmed.' Bring them into your hearts through your minds, that they may filter into and shape the life. I believe that one main reason why the morality of the Christian Church is not much further in advance of the morality of the world than it is, is because the individual members of the Church do not bring their minds into contact with the great truths of the Gospel in such a fashion as they should. Christian practice is thin and poor and inconsistent, because Christian meditation on the Gospel and on the Lord of the Gospel, is shallow and infrequent. The truths that are to be 'affirmed' are the fuel that feeds the fire, and if there are no coals put on, the fire will very soon die down-And so there must be 'carefulness,' which means the occupation of the mind with the truths that produce holiness of life. And there must be another thing, there must be a definite and direct and continuous effort to increase our faith. I have been saying that faith is the underside of all noble conduct; and in the measure in which it is strengthened, in that measure accurately will our 'good works' increase. Suppose Manchester had had two pipes from Thirlmere instead of one, during recent droughts, should we have been in such straits for water? There was plenty in the lake, but we could not get it into our houses because we had not piping enough. There is plenty of power in our Gospel and in our God to make us rich in 'good works.' What is lacking is that we have not that connection, which is made by faith, through which the fulness of God will flow into our lives. If they want to grow crops in Eastern lands they have little to do but to sow the seed and to irrigate. Christ has sown the seed in His Gospel. We have to look after the irrigation, and the crops will come of themselves. So our main effort should be to keep ourselves in touch with that great Lord, and to increase the faith by which we make all His power our very own."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 23

Paul Reminds Titus of why the Grace of God was Given to Us

Titus 3:6-7 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. KJV Note: CEV=Contemporary English Version

Immediately after Paul reminds Brother Titus what the grace of God did to us and for us, he now reminds him and we true believers today and of every era and generation why we received this marvellous, miraculous, and merciful grace of God with these words, "Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" (Titus 3:6) (KJV). This wonderful grace of God came to every redeemed, reborn, and regenerated sinner by One only and that being by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Not only is Jesus Christ God, but He is also Savior, meaning that the Creator of humanity is also the Savior of humanity and He is the judge of humanity. This grace of God Paul declares here was shed on us abundantly and the English word 'shed' is translated by the Greek word ekcheō meaning (to pour); to pour forth; figuratively to bestow: - gush out, shed forth, spill. The English word 'abundantly' is translated by the Greek word plousiōs meaning copiously: - abundantly, richly. In other words, every sinner when he or she is converted has this grace of God poured out upon them as though they were standing under a waterfall or huge shower being washed clean of the dirt that is on them and in our case, the dirt is our sins of the flesh and of the spirit that are all washed clean by this pouring out of grace through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "Here is the procuring cause of all, namely, Christ: Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. He it is who purchased the Spirit and His saving gifts and graces. All come through Him, and through Him as a Saviour, whose undertaking and work it is to bring to grace and glory; He is our righteousness and peace, and our head, from whom we have all spiritual life and influences. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Let us praise God for Him above all; let us go to the Father by Him, and improve Him to all sanctifying and saving purposes. Have we grace? Let us thank Him with the Father and Spirit for it: account all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Him, and grow and increase therein more and more." Now Titus and we are reminded of why our Lord Jesus pours out this spectacular grace upon us and that being first and foremost to make us right in God the Father's sight and to make us His forever, just as a son or daughter born into an earthly family is a member and part of that family forever, so to are we redeemed sinners a part forever of God's family in heaven, as it is written here, "That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:7) (KJV).

The little English phrase 'being justified' is translated by the Greek word dikaioō meaning to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent. Here is the way Paul wrote this truth to the Church @ Rome in two (2) places, First,  "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered His life's blood, so that by faith in Him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past He was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when He accepts people who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-25) (CEV), and Second, "By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God." (Romans 5:1) (CEV). In other words, it is Christ grace that declares us innocent in heaven before the throne of God the Father and therefore, God the Father now sees us exactly as He sees Jesus Christ and that is pure and perfect and free from sin (even though we still have sin on us and in us). Why is it then that the remainder of sinful humanity go on resisting, refusing, and rejecting our Lord Jesus Christ and this bountiful, that is freely given grace?

It is because the enemy of God (the devil) is at work continually on the earth to keep sinners from hearing and believing the Gospel of Christ, as Paul wrote with these words to the Church @ Corinth, "If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost. The god who rules this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) (CEV). The purpose of our Lord Jesus Christ pouring out this grace upon us so abundantly or richly is that we be made 'heirs' and this English word is translated by the Greek word klēronomos meaning (in its original sense of partitioning, that is, [reflexively] getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, that is, an inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication a possessor: - heir. In other words, the purpose of this grace is to make us legitimate sons and daughters of God the Father, no longer illegitimate sinners, but now we are heirs to the eternal life that is God and now is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord, just as Paul wrote to the Church @ Rome with these words, "Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are His children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of Him. Instead, we become His children and call Him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are His children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with Him." (Romans 8:14-17) (CEV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…



Thursday, November 28, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 22

Paul Reminds Titus of what the Grace of God our Savior Did

Titus 3:4-5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; KJV Note: (CEV) = Contemporary English Version

Paul now reminds Brother Timothy and everyone of us who are truly born again believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ exactly what the grace of God did to make us into new creatures or new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) first with these words, "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared," (Titus 3:4) (KJV). It was God the Father's kindness and love toward sinful rebellious humanity that compelled Him to send our Lord Jesus Christ to suffer our penalty for sin and pay our sin debt in full in order to make us right with Him now and for all eternity. Sinful humanity can never come to or approach God the Father without the intercessor between God and man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). The English word 'kindness' is translated by the Greek word chrēstotēs meaning usefulness, that is, moral excellence (in character or demeanor): - gentleness, goodness, kindness. The English phrase 'love of God our Saviour toward man' is translated by these two Greek words, the first is, philanthrōpia meaning fondness of mankind, that is, benevolence (philanthropy): - kindness, love towards man. The second Greek word is sōtēr meaning a deliverer, that is, God or Christ: - Saviour. In other words, the Divine One has such fondness or affection for mankind (even though man rebelled against Him) that His goodness and gentleness toward man prompted Him to provide man a way back into right relationship with Him, that being, through the shed blood of Christ Jesus our Lord our deliverer, that is, the One who rescues us sinners from harm and danger, which would be spending eternity in hell and the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

The English word 'appeared' is translated by the Greek word epiphainō meaning to shine upon, that is, become (literally) visible or (figuratively) known: - appear, give light. In other words, the love of God toward man was manifested and made visible in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ as it is written by the Apostle John with these words, "The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw His true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From Him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us." (John 1:14) (CEV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "We may understand the essential goodness of the Divine nature; that which is the spring whence all kindness, mercy, and beneficence proceed. Love toward man - Philanthropy. It is to be regretted that this attribute of the Divine nature, as it stands in relation to man, should have been entirely lost by a paraphrastical translation. Philanthropy is a character which God gives here to Himself; while human nature exists, this must be a character of the Divine nature. God loves man; He delighted in the idea when formed in His own infinite mind, He formed man according to that idea, and rejoiced in the work of His hands; when man fell, the same love induced Him to devise His redemption, and God the Savior flows from God the Philanthropist. Where love is it will be active, and will show itself. So the philanthropy of God appeared, it shone out, in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in His giving His life for the life of the world."

Because all of our gratitude, that is, thankfulness and appreciation should at all times go to our Lord Jesus Christ alone, for without His acceptance of us even when we hated and despised Him, He died in our place taking on Himself the punishment for our sins, but now for us it is like this, as it is written by the Apostle Paul to the Church @ Rome, "Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. But God showed how much He loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed His life's blood, we will also be kept safe from God's anger. Even when we were God's enemies, He made peace with us, because His Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by His Son's life." (Romans 5:6-10) (CEV). This is why Paul writes these words in the very next verse to Brother Titus reminding him once more of the love of God for Him and for all of us lost sinners who have been found by the grace of God, fortunate to receive the grace of God, and favored by the grace of God, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5) (KJV).

When Paul writes, 'not by works of righteousness which we have done', he means not by anything good that is in any sinner that is saved, for again as it written by this same Apostle to the Church @ Rome with these piercing, punishing, and penetrating words, "The Scriptures tell us, No one is acceptable to God! Not one of them understands or even searches for God. They have all turned away and are worthless. There isn't one person who does right." (Romans 3:10-12) (CEV). So, I say to everyone, when you see that sweet, adorable, cuddly little baby girl or baby boy born and you think they are so good, remember these words, for they are not born innocent and good, instead they are born guilty and bad. Question: When can any loving parent declare that they taught there little toddler to lie? Answer: Never. They were born knowing how to be bad. When Paul next writes these words then, 'but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost', he means that our redemption is all done by the supernatural power of God the Holy Spirit. The English word 'mercy' is translated by the Greek word eleos meaning active divine compassion. The English word 'saved' is translated by the Greek word sōzō meaning safe; to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, make whole. The little English phrase 'of regeneration' is translated by the Greek word paliggenesia meaning (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), that is, (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specifically Messianic restoration: - regeneration. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ said these words to Nicodemus one of the most devout religious Jews during that time, "Jesus replied, 'I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!' Nicodemus asked, 'How can a grown man ever be born a second time?' Jesus answered: 'I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit.'" (John 3:3-5) (CEV). Here is what John Wesley had to say about this verse, "In this important passage the Apostle presents us with a delightful view of our redemption. Herein we have, The cause of it; not our works or righteousness, but 'the kindness and love of God our Saviour.' The effects; which are, Justification; 'being justified,' pardoned and accepted through the alone merits of Christ, not from any desert in us, but according to His own mercy, 'by His grace," His free, unmerited goodness. Sanctification, expressed by the laver of regeneration, (that is, baptism, the thing signified, as well as the outward sign,) and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; which purifies the soul, as water cleanses the body, and renews it in the whole image of God. The consummation of all; - that we might become heirs of eternal life, and live now in the joyful hope of it."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 21

Paul Reminds Titus of who we were before the Grace of God

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. KJV

The very next thing the Apostle Paul reminds Brother Titus and we true believers of today and of every era and generation is what our lives were constantly and continually before we were saved by the grace of God with these words, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." (Titus 3:3) (KJV). When Paul writes here, 'For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish', he means that prior to our conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8) by God the Holy Spirit, we were in those days and times with no connection to God the Father and completely without understanding of His Holiness and Purity and how filthily engulfed and engrossed in and by our sin nature we were, as Paul declared to the Ephesian Church with these words, "Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else." (Ephesians 2:3) (Contemporary English Version). Our ignorance of God the Father was at the forefront and we were oblivious to His pending Judgement against sin and sinners. The English word 'sometimes' used by Paul here is translated by the Greek word pote meaning in the old time or in times past. The English word 'foolish' used here by Paul is translated by the Greek word anoētos meaning (as a negative particle); unintelligent; by implication sensual: unwise.

Our foolishness toward God before we received the grace of God was just as that of the unrepentant thief on one of the crosses next to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ when confronted by the other thief on one of the crosses next to Christ as recorded for us by Dr. Luke, "One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, 'Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!' But the other criminal told the first one off, 'Don't you fear God? Aren't you getting the same punishment as this man? We got what was coming to us, but He didn't do anything wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Remember me when You come into power!' Jesus replied, 'I promise that today you will be with Me in paradise.'" (Luke 23:39-43) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about being foolish in times past, "All of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, were, before our conversion to Christ, foolish, disobedient, and deceived. There is no doubt that the Apostle felt he could include himself in the above list, previously to his conversion. The manner in which he persecuted the Christians, to whose charge he could not lay one moral evil, is a sufficient proof that, though he walked according to the letter of the law, as to its ordinances and ceremonies, blameless, yet his heart was in a state of great estrangement from God, from justice, holiness, mercy, and compassion." The English word 'disobedient' is translated by the Greek word apeithēs meaning (as a negative particle); unpersuadable, that is, contumacious (wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient). The English word 'deceived' is translated by the Greek word planaō meaning to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue): - go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

In other words, to be disobedient and deceived means to be in that perpetual state of being controlled by our fallen nature that every human being is born with by virtue of Adam's sin as it is written, "Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die. Sin was in the world before the Law came. But no record of sin was kept, because there was no Law." (Romans 5:12-13) (Contemporary English Version). This is the condition of all who are without Jesus Christ and His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). When Paul writes, 'serving divers lust and pleasures', he means being in slaved by and in bondage to the desires of the flesh, specifically sexual lust and gratification of that carnal pleasure outside the bonds of marriage, as it is written, "Have respect for marriage. Always be faithful to your partner, because God will punish anyone who is immoral or unfaithful in marriage." (Hebrews 13:4) (Contemporary English Version). The English word 'divers' is translated by the Greek word poikilos meaning motley (consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds), that is, various in character: - divers, manifold or many. The English word 'lusts' is translated by the Greek word epithumia meaning a longing (especially for what is forbidden). The English word 'pleasures' is translated by the Greek word hēdonē meaning (to please); sensual delight. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about the serving of divers lust and pleasures, "Being in a state of continual thraldom (the state of being under the control of something or someone); not served or gratified by our lusts and pleasures, but living, as their slaves, a life of misery and wretchedness."

Lastly, when Paul writes, 'living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another', he means to despise other human beings even though they have done nothing personally to the person or persons and being jealous of what others have (this was the sin of Cain which caused him to murder his own brother) (Genesis 4:8) and wanting to hurt other human beings for no reason is the state or condition of sinful humanity without the grace of God (just look at the national and local news every night). The English word 'malice' is translated by the Greek word kakia meaning badness, that is, (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble. The English word 'envy' is translated by the Greek word phthonos meaning ill will (as detraction), that is, jealousy (spite): - envy. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another, "They had not only malice and envy in their hearts against their fellow creatures, but practised it in their lives; yea, their lives were a continued series of malice and envy; particularly this was true of the Apostle, who haled men and women out of their houses, and committed them to prison; breathed out slaughter and threatenings against the saints; was exceedingly mad against them, persecuted them to strange cities, and compelled them to blaspheme, and gave his vote for punishing them with death. This is abominable in the sight of God, as considered in themselves, and on account of their nature and practices; and to be abhorred by all good men; and who, by their continual feuds, quarrels, and animosities among themselves, showed an hatred, an abhorrence of one another."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 20

Paul Reminds Titus to Live by the Grace of God

Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. KJV

It is not only the grace of God that saves all we sinners (Ephesians 2:8-9), but it is also the same grace of God that allows we sinners who are now saints to live differently in this world of woe, subjecting ourselves, that is, causing ourselves to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to things which our old man or woman would never tolerate, such as being defrauded of payment of money owed to us by others for service or other things that we have right to compensation for, yet are defrauded. Such is the mind set that we have been given a new to not count the things of this present world (that is passing away) (1 Corinthians 7:31) as something to build into an empire but only as our means to live peacably with all men as much as lieth within us (Romans 12:18), so Paul reminds Brother Titus of this grace of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ with these words first, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work," (Titus 3:1) (KJV). The English phrase 'Put them in mind' that opens this verse is translated by the Greek word hupomimnēskō meaning to remind quietly, that is, suggest to the (middle voice, one’s own) memory. In like manner this same Apostle Paul told this to Brother Timothy to put the believers into rememberance of how they/we must be good soldiers of our Lord Jesus Christ and what they/we must do to be good soldiers of Him (2 Timothy 2:1-26).

Here Paul wants Brother Titus to put the believers in Crete in remembrance to be subject to and obedient to the principalities, powers, and magistrates on the island of Crete. The Creatian believers were to willingly submit themselves to the laws of the rulers at that time, so long as they were not mandated to disobey what God has declared, decreed, and designated as truth in His Word (Acts 5:29). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about putting the believers into mind to be subject to principalities, powers, and magistrates, "Magistracy is God's ordinance for the good of all, and therefore must be regarded and submitted to by all; not for wrath and by force only, but willingly and for conscience' sake. Principalities, and powers, and magistrates, that is, all civil rulers, whether supreme and chief or subordinate, in the government under which they live, of whatever form it be; that they be subject to them and obey them in things lawful and honest, and which it belongs to their office to require. The Christian religion was misrepresented by its adversaries as prejudicial to the rights of princes and civil powers, and tending to faction and sedition, and to rebellion against lawful authority; therefore to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and stop the mouths of malicious enemies, Christians must be reminded to show themselves examples rather of all due subjection and obedience to the government that is over them."

When Paul writes, 'to be ready to every good work', he means just what the words declare to do that which is good to other human beings. The Lord Jesus Christ was hassled, harassed, and even hated by many during his 33 years on the earth as the God/Man, yet this is the testimony concerning Him, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) (MKJV). Therefore, so too must we Christians go about doing good to humanity, rather than doing harm, just as it is written by this same Apostle to the Galatian believers with these words, "But we should not lose heart in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint. So then as we have time, let us work good toward all, especially toward those of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10) (MKJV). Paul continues in his reminding Brother Titus and we true believers today and of every era and generation to live by grace with these next words written, "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." (Titus 3:2) (KJV). The little English phrase 'To speak evil' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word blasphēmeō meaning to vilify; specifically to speak impiously: - (speak) blasphemously, defame, rail on, revile, speak evil. In other words, it is when we are living by the grace of God that we can restrain our tongues from this sin, even despite the fact that we may be dealing with many evil men and women, yet we are to allow grace to set a watch and guard over our mouths and shut the doors of our lips (Psalm 141:3) in this matter. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about speaking evil of no man, "To blaspheme no person, to reproach none, to speak nothing to any man’s injury; but, on the contrary, bearing reproach and contumely with patience and meekness."

When Paul writes, 'not brawlers', he simply means not fighting against any man for dumb reasons, but he does not mean to not defend yourselves with deadly force if you are your family is attacked physically to be hurt or even killed. The Sermon on the mount where our Lord Jesus declares to turn the other cheek is not for the Church today, but for the time of His Millennial Reign on the earth for 1,000 years, for let us remember what our Lord said to the disciples shortly before He was to be Crucified as recorded by Dr. Luke with these words, "And He said to them, When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing. And He said to them, But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." (Luke 22:35-36) (MKJV). Our Lord Jesus is not commanding us to allow ourselves to be killed without trying to kill in self-defence, He's just not, but He is commanding us to not be quarrelsome and attacking others. We are to be the opposite of quarreling by being gentle, that is, kind and not harsh, but we are to allow the grace of God to lead us to meekness, that is, having a disposition of patience and long suffering, even when we have been wronged in other ways that is not a threat to ourselves and our family and their life. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about not being brawlers but being gentle showing meekness to all men, "Not 'fighters', either by blows or words; not litigious and quarrelsome, wrangling and striving about things to no profit, and to the detriment and disturbance of civil government, churches, neighbourhood, and families; which is very unbecoming the followers of Jesus, who strove not, nor cried, nor was His voice heard in the streets. But gentle, showing all meekness to all men; yielding and giving way, rather choosing to suffer wrong than to brawl, contend, and litigate a point; taking the advice of Christ, carrying it in a meek and humble manner to men of all ranks and degrees, whether superior or inferior, rich or poor, bond or free, Jews or Gentiles, members of the Church, or men of the world."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…





Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 19

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 9

Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. KJV

In concluding this Chapter, the Apostle Paul gives Brother Titus a short but forceful pep talk or motivational speech to carry him through to the satisfying of all that Paul has written to him in verses 1-14 of this Chapter. Paul knowing that Brother Titus (being younger in earthly years, as well as younger in time following our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) needs to hear from him that he is capable or adequate for doing all that Paul has commanded him to do, by and with the power of God the Holy Spirit, so he writes these words to him to close out this Chapter, "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:15) (KJV). The 'these things' Paul refers to are again all that he has already written to him in the above verses commanding him to teach sound doctrine at all times and in all places. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ does no sinner any good if it is not declared in its entirety and without twisting it or making it more comfortable for the sinful ears to hear, for God the Holy Spirit can only convict the hearts of men and women of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:7-11) when they have been convinced of such by the Word of God.

Therefore, Titus and we true believers today and of every era and generation are to 'speak' the truth of the Word of God in season and out of season, just as this same Apostle wrote to Brother Timothy with these words, "Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths. But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5) (MKJV). The desire of the Apostle Paul for Brother Titus (just as he had for Brother Timothy) was for each of them (and us today) to never change what the Word of God declares or to never cut out parts of it or to never speak anything that does not align with what the Word of God says, just as the Apostle John warned all at the conclusion of the Book of Revelation with these words, "For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues that have been written in this Book. And if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which have been written in this Book." (Revelatiion 22:18-19) (MKJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about Paul urging Titus with the words 'these things speak', "Sound doctrine, the doctrine of grace, the doctrines of salvation and redemption by Christ, of peace, pardon, and cleansing by His Blood; these speak out clearly, plainly, publicly, boldly, and faithfully: and the things which become sound doctrine; the duties of religion suitable to every age and sex, a denying of ungodliness and worldly lusts, a sober, righteous, and godly life and conversation, exhort unto; and encourage the saints to be zealous of good works, and comfort them with the expectation of the blessed hope, and glorious appearance of Christ." When Paul writes, 'and exhort, and rebuke with all authority', he means that Titus and we true Christians today and of every era and generation are to exhort or spur on and encourage those who have wandered away from the truth of the Word of God to turn around, but at the very same time Brother Titus and we are to rebuke, that is, confute and admonish severely, even angrily all those who have wrongly, wastefully, and willingly changed or twisted the Word of God to their own destruction and to the destruction of the souls who listen to them and follow after their false teaching (2 Peter 3:16).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about exhorting and rebuking with all authority, "Convince and reprove such as contradict or gainsay, or neglect and do not receive the truth as they should, or retain it in unrighteousness - those who hear it not with such a believing and obedient mind and heart as they ought, but, instead of this (it may be) live in contrary practices, showing themselves stubborn and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Rebuke with all authority, as coming in the name of God, and armed with His threatenings and discipline, whoever make light of which will do it at their peril. Ministers are reprovers in the gate." Finally, when Paul writes, 'Let no man despise thee', he means for Brother Titus and we true believers today and of every era and generation to not be timid in our speaking and teaching the truth of the Word of God doing it with such exertion, enthusiasm, and energy being forceful in the authority that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and every Word He has spoken from Genesis to Revelation. It is the Word of God that carries authority and subsequently every man and woman of God who speaks and teaches His Word are speaking with His authority. When the truth of the Word of God is resisted, refused, or rejected all together it is not God's messenger that is being despised (although he or she is) but it is actually God who is being despised, just as Saint Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Church with these words, "Therefore he who despises does not despise man, but God, who also has given us His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:8) (MKJV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…


Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 18

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 8

Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. KJV

Paul finalizes this preaching/teaching to Brother Titus and to we true believers today and of every era and generation of what our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ actually dedicated, devoted, and determined Himself to do for every one of His 'new creations' (2 Corinthians 5:17) that He made by shedding His Blood and dying on the Cross for our sin with these words, "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14) (KJV). When Paul writes, 'Who gave Himself for us', he means that He (Christ) died for sin in our place that we would not have to die an eternal death, that being, everlasting seperation from God the Father in hell and the lake of fire as it is written of such with these words, "And I saw a great white throne, and Him sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And a place was not found for them. And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell delivered up the dead in them. And each one of them was judged according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:11-15) (MKJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill said concerning Christ giving Himself for us, "Not another, or another's, but Himself; not merely His own things, but His own self; not the world, and the riches of it, not gold and silver, and such like corruptible things, as the price of redemption; not the cattle on a thousand hills for sacrifice; not men nor angels, but Himself; all that belong to Him, all that is near and dear, His name, fame, credit, and reputation; His time, strength, and service: all the comforts of life, and life itself; His whole manhood, soul, and body, and that as in union with His divine person; which He gave into the hands of men, and of justice, and to death itself, to be a ransom price of His people, and for a propitiation and sacrifice for their sins, to be paid and offered in their room and stead: not for all mankind, but for many; for us, for all the elect of God, for the Church; and who are represented when He gave Himself, or died for them, as ungodly, sinners, and enemies: this was a free and voluntary gift, and is an unspeakable one; who can say all that is contained in this word 'Himself?' it is an instance of the greatest love, of love that passeth knowledge; God, because He could swear by no greater, swore by Himself; and Christ, because He could give no greater gift, nor any greater instance of His love, gave Himself."

When Paul writes next these words, 'that He might redeem us from all iniquity', he means that Christ Blood washes and cleanses us eternally from all our sins (past, present, and future) at the very moment of our new birth (John 3:3-8), yet as we sojourn and pilgrim here on this earth, we get dirty with sin, but as the Apostle John wrote we get cleansed by His Blood constantly and continuously when we confess our sins to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9). The English word 'iniquity' is translated by the Greek word anomia meaning llegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness: - iniquity, transgression of the law, unrighteousness. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life on the Cross to pay our ransom from the slave master (the devil) as slaves of sin and buy us unto Himself as slaves to righteousness (Romans Chapter 6). Here is what John Wesley had to say about Christ redeeming us from all iniquity, "That He might redeem us - Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins." When Paul writes, 'and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works', he means that it is Christ Himself who is in the process of growing us into spiritual maturity by His grace and through our study of His Holy Word. The English word 'purify' is translated by the Greek word katharizō meaning to cleanse (literally or figuratively): - (make) clean, purge, purify. The little English phrase 'a peculiar' is translated by the Greek word periousios (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning being beyond usual, that is, special (one’s own): - peculiar. In other words, it is the Blood of Jesus Christ that makes us clean in God the Father's sight, for He sees us just as He sees the Lord Jesus Christ, yet it is Christ grace by which we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9) that makes us into the peculiar or special one's on the earth, not by any thing in us that is good or deserving of this title or label, but solely because of and by the grace of God are we now 'new creatures' and actively interested and enthusiastic about doing things that please our Lord Jesus Christ because we love Him.

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about Christ purifying unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works, "All mankind are filthy and unclean by nature, in all the powers and faculties of their souls; nor can they cleanse themselves from their impurity of flesh and spirit, by anything that they can do: Christ has a peculiar people among these, a Church whom He loves, and for whom He has given Himself, that He might sanctify and cleanse them from their sins; which He has done by shedding His blood for them, and washing them in it, which cleanses from all sin, and He has purified them unto Himself, for His own use and service, for His pleasure and delight, and to His glory; that they might be a proper habitation for Him now; and that they might be made ready for Him, to have the marriage between, Him and them consummated; and that they might be presented to Himself a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, and be with Him, both in the new Jerusalem state, into which nothing that defiles, or is defiled, enters, and in heaven, to all eternity. Now these people, for whom Christ has given Himself, and whom He has redeemed and purifies, are a 'peculiar people'; for whom Christ has a peculiar love, in whom He takes a peculiar delight, and to whom He grants peculiar nearness to Himself, and bestows peculiar blessings on them, and makes peculiar provisions for them, both for time and eternity; these are Christ's own, His possession, His substance, what He has a special right to by His Father's gift, His own purchase, and the conquest of His grace; and they are a distinct and separate people from all others, in election, redemption, effectual calling, and in Christ's intercession, and will be in the resurrection morn, at the day of judgment, and to all eternity; and they are, as the word also signifies, an excellent and valuable people; they are Christ's portion and inheritance; they are His peculiar treasure, His jewels, whom, as such, He values and takes care of. The Syriac version renders it, 'a new people'. And they who are redeemed and purified by Christ, through the power of His grace upon them, become a people 'zealous of good works'; not in order to their justification and salvation, but in obedience to the will of God, and to testify their subjection and gratitude to Him, and for His honour and glory, and for the credit of religion, and the good of men, These not only perform them, but perform them from principles of truth and love, and with a zeal for the glory of God, and the honour of His Gospel; and with an holy emulation of one another, striving to go before, and excel each other in the performance of them."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…




Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 17

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 7

Titus 2:13 Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; KJV

Paul now affirms to Brother Titus and to we true believers today and of every era and generattion what the reception of such grace should implant into our inner man or inner woman as a buried treasure that cannot be lost and that is, "Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" (Titus 2:13) (KJV). The little phrase 'looking for' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word prosdechomai which means (as used here) by implication to await (with confidence or patience). The little phrase 'that blessed' is translated by the Greek word makarios which means (as used here) supremely blest, that is, highly favored or fortunate (as by divine grace); well off. The English word 'hope' is translated by the Greek word elpis meaning (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: - faith, hope; it is literally confident expectation. In other words, Paul wanted Titus then and us today to not be waivering, wobbly, or wanting in our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ to fully save us from sin, death, and hell eternally and to keep us or guard us now in time from the many winds of doctrines that are distributed, downloaded, and diffused every single day by the devil and his ministers (2 Corthians 11:13-15). Instead, we are to be strong in faith just like the Patriarch Abraham was as it is written by Paul of him with these words to the Church @ Rome, "(As it has been written, 'I have made you a father of many nations') —before God, whom he believed, who makes the dead live, and calls the things which do not exist as though they do exist. For he who beyond hope believed on hope for him to become the father of many nations (according to that which was spoken, 'So your seed shall be'). And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body already dead (being about a hundred years old) or the deadening of Sarah's womb. He did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:17-21) (MKJV). Just like the 100 year old Abraham did not waiver at God's promise to Him that he would father a child, even with his wife being 90 years old at the time, so must we not waiver concerning our redemption, restoration, and resurrection from the dead by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

When Paul writes, 'and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ', he means that we (as a collective body 'the Church') and (as individual members of His Body) are to trust and know that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ will return for His Church (that is, all true born again believers) just prior to His 2nd Coming, as it is written by this same Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian believers with these words, "But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep/dead, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep/died in Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep/dead. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) (MKJV).

It is also true that our Lord Jesus Christ will return for every individual member of His Mystical Body the Church that dies 'in Him' just as He did with the saint Stephen when He was murdered, mauled, and martyred for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and having faith in Him, as it is written and documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "And hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts. And they gnashed on him with their teeth. But being full of the Holy Spirit, looking up intently into Heaven, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see Heaven opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. And crying out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears and ran on him with one accord. And throwing him outside the city, they stoned him. And the witnesses laid their clothes down at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, who was calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice, Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep/died." (Acts 7:54-60) (MKJV).

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "Expecting the grand object of our hope, eternal life. This is what the Gospel teaches us to expect, and what the grace of God prepares the human heart for. This is called a blessed hope; those who have it are happy in the sure prospect of that glory which shall be revealed. The glorious appearing this clause, literally translated, is as follows: And the appearing of the glory of the great God, even our Savior Jesus Christ. Some think that the blessed hope and glorious appearing mean the same thing; but I do not think so. The blessed hope refers simply to eternal glorification in general; the glorious appearing, to the resurrection of the body; for when Christ appears He will change this vile body, and make it like unto His Glorious Body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…





Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 16

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 6

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; KJV

Paul now gives to Brother Titus and to we true Christians today and of every era and generation what 'grace' is and what it means for us as we pilgrim and sojourn here on this earth away from our heavenly home with these words, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," (Titus 2:11) (KJV). This English word 'grace' is translated by the Greek word charis which means (as used here) figuratively or spiritually; it means the divine influence upon the heart (that is, the inner man or inner woman of the born again son and daughter of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ), and its reflection in the life; including gratitude for receiving such undeserved favor from God). In other words, it is the grace of God freely given to every sinner that makes him or her a new creature or new creation, for 2 Corinthians 5:17 says this, "So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (MKJV). This is the reason so many sons and daughters of God say things like, "My eyes were open and I saw this world in a whole new light." For example, in my own personal case, when my Lord Jesus Christ opened my blind spiritual eyes, I completely did a 180 from being pro-choice to being pro-life and that is because I now see human life as it truly is the creation of God at the moment of conception, for He(God/Jesus) knows every human being, even before He forms them in their mother's womb, this is what He told the Prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) (MKJV). Notice the pronoun 'I' used four times in this verse being God speaking of Himself and what He did.

When Paul writes next, 'that bringeth salvation', he is speaking of the grace of God as that which makes men and women into the new creatures and it is what brings the salvation of God for sinful men and women and not His love, for His love is what brought to us the Savior (Jesus Christ our Lord) as it is written, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18) (MKJV). When Paul writes here, 'hath appeared to all men', he simply means that the grace of God has been made visible for all humanity to behold and to receive in the God/Man Jesus Christ our Lord. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "It is grace in respect of the spring of it - the free favour and good-will of God, not any merit or desert in the creature; as manifesting and declaring this good-will in an eminent and signal manner; and as it is the means of conveying and working grace in the hearts of believers. Now grace is obliging and constraining to goodness: Let not sin reign, but yield yourselves unto God; for you are not under the law, but under grace, Romans 6:12-14. The love of Christ constrains us not to live to self, but to Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15); without this effect, grace is received in vain. This Gospel grace brings salvation (reveals and offers it to sinners and ensures it to believers) - salvation from sin and wrath, from death and hell. Hence it is called the Word of Life; it brings to faith, and so to life, the life of holiness now and of happiness hereafter. The law is the ministration of death, but the Gospel the ministration of life and peace. This therefore must be received as salvation (its rules minded, its commands obeyed), that the end of it may be obtained, the salvation of the soul. And more inexcusable will the neglecters of this grace of God bringing salvation now be, since, It hath appeared, or shone out more clearly and illustriously than ever before. The old dispensation was comparatively dark and shadowy; this is a clear and shining light; and, as it is now more bright, so more diffused and extensive also. For, It hath appeared to all men; not to the Jews only, as the glory of God appeared at mount Sinai to that particular people, and out of the view of all others; but Gospel grace is open to all, and all are invited to come and partake of the benefit of it, Gentiles as well as Jews."

Next Paul tells Titus and us what the grace of God teaches to us as we sojourn away from our heavenly home with these words, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12) (KJV). The English word 'teaching' used at the very beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment): - chasten, instruct, learn, teach. The English word 'denying' is translated by the Greek word arneomai meaning to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse. The English word 'ungodliness' is translated by the Greek word asebeia meaning wickedness. When Paul writes 'worldy lust', he means the longing for the things of this world system (run by the devil) that are against the will of God. In other words, the grace of God that has brought to each and every one us who have been born again instructs us like a father and mother would do with their young child training us up into spiritual maturity by educating us in the will of God by the Word of God to deny wickedness or that which is evil by rejecting and refusing it and even disciplining or chastening us when we step out of the truth of God's will found in His Holy Word. We are to live in this present world, but we are not to be of the world, as it is written, "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) (MKJV) and also as it is written here, "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17) (MKJV) and lastly also as it is written here, "You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:4-6) (MKJV).

Therefore, with this to guide and to remind us Paul declares that we should live 'soberly' (which is translated by the Greek word sōphronōs used this one time only in the New Testament meaning with sound mind, that is, moderately: - soberly), 'righteously' (which is translated by the Greek word dikaiōs meaning equitably or justly), and 'godly' (which is translated by the Greek word eusebōs meaning piously or devoutly to God who saved us) in this present world. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "Instructing us as children are instructed. Christ is the great teacher; and men, in order to learn, must become His disciples - must put themselves under His tuition, and learn of Him. Denying all things contrary to God; whatever would lead us to doubt His being, deny any of His essential attributes; His providence or government of the world, and His influence on the souls of men. Every thing, also, which is opposed to His true worship; theoretical and practical atheism, deism, and irreligion in general. Worldly lust such desires, affections, and appetites, as men are governed by who have their portion in this life, and live without God in the world. Gluttony, drunkenness, lasciviousness, anger, malice, and revenge; together with the immoderate love of riches, power, and fame. We should live soberly having every temper, appetite, and desire, under the government of reason, and reason itself under the government of the Spirit of God. Righteously rendering to every man his due, injuring no person in his body, mind, reputation, or property; doing unto all as we would they should do to us; and filling up the duties of the particular stations in which it has pleased God to fix us, committing no sin, omitting no duty. And godly just the reverse of what is implied in ungodliness. In this present world not supposing that any thing will be purified in the world to come that is not cleansed in this. The three words above evidently include our duty to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves. We are to live soberly in respect to ourselves. Righteously in respect to our neighbor. And Godly, or piously, in respect to our Maker."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…



Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 15

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 5

Titus 2:9-10 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. KJV

During the time that the Apostle Paul lived and wrote this letter to Brother Titus, slavery was a common occurrence and practice. Therefore, Pauls next words to Titus here may seem to us today as cavalier, careless, or even cold, but the facts then were that there were many people that were owned by other people and some of these slaves came into a saving knowledge of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ through hearing the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and became members of the Body of Christ and remained slaves after their conversion, because their earthly state, status, or situation in this life did not change upon becoming a Christian, but their inner man and inner woman did change along with their eternal place of residency (heaven now), so Paul now writes these words to Brother Titus instructing him on what to teach these slaves on how they should now conduct themselves with their masters, "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;" (Titus 2:9) (KJV). The English word 'servants' used at the beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word doulos meaning (as used here) a slave (literally and involuntarily). The little English phrase 'to be obedient' is translated by the Greek word hupotassō meaning to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

In other words, now the born again slave is to voluntarily subject himself to his owner or master knowing all the while that his or her true master is in heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father, that is, our Lord Jesus Christ, for Paul wrote this same directive or command with these words to the believers in Ephesus, "Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men (knowing that whatever good thing he does, he shall receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a freeman)." (Ephesians 6:5-8) (MKJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about slaves being obedient to their masters pleasing them in all things, "The Apostle refers to those who were slaves, and the property of their masters; even these are exhorted to be obedient, to their own despots, though they had no right over them on the ground of natural justice. They were to endeavor to do this in all things, though they could not hope to succeed in every thing." When Paul writes, 'not answering again', he means that the born again slave was to obey the commands of his earthly master without complaining or disputing the command or even grumbling, that is, making a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone at his or her displeasure of the command and the state of being a slave. This truly is easier said than done and must require the power of God the Holy Spirit to work in the disposition or temperament to carry out such an attitude of non complaint when one was living in such a state or condition as this.

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this matter of not answering again, "Not contradicting, or not disobeying. They were to do what the master required, if it did not interfere with the rights of conscience, without attempting to argue the matter - without disputing with the master - and without advancing their own opinions. Where this relation exists, no one can doubt that this is a proper frame of mind for a servant. It may be observed, however, that all that is here said would be equally appropriate, whether the servitude was voluntary or involuntary. A man who becomes voluntarily a servant, binds himself to obey his master cheerfully and quietly, without gainsaying, and without attempting to reason the matter with him, or propounding his own opinions, even though they may be much wiser than those of his employer. He makes a contract to obey his master, not to reason with him, or to instruct him." Paul then makes this also the requirement of the servants or slaves with their masters for the end result of showing Christ even in the absolute most worst of living conditions as a pilgrim on this earth, "Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." (Titus 2:10) (KJV). The English word 'purloining' is translated by the Greek word nosphizomai meaning (apart or clandestinely); to sequestrate for oneself, that is, embezzle: - keep back, purloin.

In other words, it is a big Greek word for stealing or taking something that belongs to the master and using it for yourself, that is, making off with the belongings or property of others and in this case the property of the master. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about the servant not purloining, "Not to appropriate to themselves what belongs to their masters. The word 'purloin' means, literally, to take or carry away for oneself; and would be applied to an approbation to oneself of what pertained to a common stock, or what belonged to one in whose employ we are - as the embezzlement of public funds. Here it means that the servant was not to apply to his own use what belonged to his master; that is, was not to pilfer - a vice to which, as all know, servants, and especially slaves, are particularly exposed." However, instead of doing this the slave that has come to Christ, that is, been born again must show to his master 'good fidelity' which simply means that he or she must be faithful to his or her master, which is also what a Christian man or woman must do today to their employer, for their true employer is our Lord Jesus Christ, so the child of God must work for their employer as if they are working for Christ Jesus Himself which they are. In doing this they will then adorn or garnish themselves with the doctrine or instruction or teachings of God our Savior, that being our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is what John Wesley had to say about adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things, "Showing all good fidelity - Soft, obliging faithfulness that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour - More than St. Paul says of kings. How he raises the lowness of his subject! So may they, the lowness of their condition."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…



Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 14

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 4

Titus 2:7-8 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. KJV

The Apostle Paul wants to relay the message to Brother Titus and to we true believers today and of every era and generation that the follower of Jesus Christ is not only responsible to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, which we are first and foremost, but we have a responsibility to all of our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' throughout the world to lead a life of blamelessness, that is, being free of guilt and not subject to blame for an accusation falsely made against any of us, for example, in my own personal life right now I am being accused of not buying an item and having it installed in a home that I rent. This is completely untrue and is something I refuse to allow the devil to get me disturbed, disquieted, or distressed over, but I am  prepared to remedy the situation by having it done again if push comes to shove, for our Lord Jesus Christ knows I am not lying about this matter and that is more important to me than a million false accusations by the devil's people.

So, Paul tells Titus and us first these words, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity," (Titus 2:7) (KJV). The English word 'shewing' is translated by the Greek word parechō meaning to hold near, that is, present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion. The English word 'pattern' is translated by the Greek word tupos meaning (as used here) (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler ('type'), that is, a model (for imitation). In other words, we are not to be in the world defrauding people, that is, depriving them of something by deceit or actually stealing from them for our own gain and benefit. Instead we should shew ourselves a model of integrity in the world as we sojourn down here. Paul is declaring to Titus then and to us now that our deeds and actions in this evil genertation (Luke 11:29) should be that of promoting valuable and virtuous actions to others at all times until or unless we are defending our selves in self defence, physically or spiritually. The doctrine or teaching that comes from any individual Christian or any local Church or any Denominational or Non- Denominational leadership should be totally uncorrupt or uncorrupted, that is, not having its purity or excellence debased, but instead continuing in the delivery and teaching of the Apostle's doctrine only (Acts 2:42), that is, the faith once and for all handed down to the saints (Jude 1:3) and never being or becoming one of those men or women who corrupt the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17).

Paul declares to Titus and to us that we should shew a pattern of 'gravity' and this English word is translated by the Greek word semnotēs meaning honesty. The English word 'sincerity' is translated by the Greek word aphtharsia meaning (as used here) (figuratively) genuineness: - sincerity. In other words, the believer is to be genuine and honest in his or her dealings with brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and with the men and women who are outside of Christ. Here is what John Wesley had to say about this verse, "Showing thyself a pattern - Titus himself was then young. In the doctrine which thou teachest in public: as to matter, uncorruptness; as to the manner of delivering it, seriousness - Weightiness, solemnity." Paul continues on to direct and instruct Titus and us today with these words, "Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:8) (KJV).

When Paul writes here at the beginning of this verse, 'sound speech that cannot be condemned', he means wholesome words, just as he wrote to Brother Timothy here, "If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. He is sick concerning doubts and arguments, from which comes envy, strife, evil speakings, evil suspicions, meddling, of men whose minds have been corrupted and deprived of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. Withdraw from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content. But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:3-10) (MKJV). These are the words that cannot ever be condemned.

When Paul writes here, 'that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed', he means the person or persons that are on the opposite side of the truth of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. The little English phrase 'the contrary part' is translated by the Greek word enantios meaning opposite; figuratively antagonistic: - (over) against, contrary. The little English phrase 'may be ashamed' is translated by the Greek word entrepō meaning (as used here) to invert, that is, (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect. When Paul writes, 'having no evil thing to say of you', he means that if the person has actually done the right thing (in a matter like the one I spoke of above concerning myself) then the person or persons diffusing, dispersing, or disseminating the lie will be stopped cold with the hard facts of the truth of the matter. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "He was to use language that would be spiritually 'healthful'; that is, true, pure, uncorrupted. - This word, and its correlatives, is used in this sense, in the New Testament, only by the Apostle Paul. It is commonly applied to the body, meaning that which is healthful, or whole. It does not elsewhere occur. Such as cannot be shown to be weak, or unsound; such that no one could find fault with it, or such as an adversary could not take hold of and blame. This direction would imply purity and seriousness of language, solidity of argument, and truth in the doctrines which he maintained. That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed - Ashamed that he has opposed such views."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…