I think the Holy Spirit gives everyone
at least two messages to speak about with others and one of those
messages will be the same and the other not. The one message we
should all be speaking is that through faith in Christ's crucifixion
and resurrection we will have a better life with Him instead of
torment in hell. My “other” message that I have been given is;
we need to be in harmony within the Christian community so we can
attract people into a glorious life with Christ. That is why my post
seemed to have the same theme. As stated in my first post we need to
be loving as Christ is, and not condemning.
Titus 3:9-11 reads (NIV) “But avoid
foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels
about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a
divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that,
have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is
warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
I agree with “Matthew Henry, Ashbury
and IVP” commentaries that this passage that Paul wrote was about
dealing with false doctrine but I also think it is simply about
controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. To start we need
to go back a little bit to the beginning of Titus Chapter 3. Paul
tells us to be peaceable, non-slandering and humble because we too
were once lost. “he saved us, not because of righteous things we
had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing
of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5. Paul says we
are to stress this point of salvation from mercy not works and to do
what is good. v.8.
The devil uses tools like
controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. He wants God's
people to be divided. The old saying “together we stand divided we
fall” comes to mind. First we need to go to the throne of grace and
be thankful for His mercy and to be reminded it is by grace not works
we are saved. In Titus 3 Paul reminds us that we were once foolish,
disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and
pleasures. Continuing, we need to learn who our Lord is. The only way
to do this is to read His word. We learn God is loving, caring and
merciful. He does not create confusion (1 Cor 14:33 KJV), arguments
and quarrels for He is the Prince of Peace. If we find ourselves
arguing with someone we must examine our own motives. Are we
forgetting that we were once needed of grace? If you find yourself
divided with someone, Paul says to give the person two chances then
walk away from the situation. He says to do nothing with this person.
v.10. Remember God is not one to create confusion and strife. It's
not our place to convince someone. It's our job to speak twice about
His Love and then let the Holy Spirit do it's work just as the Holy
Spirit did His work in us. What does this have to do with attracting
people to Christ? “If a house is divided against itself, that house
cannot stand.” Mark 3:25. So correct twice and walk away for if we
are seen divided the devil has won.
