Titus is an epistle from the heart of our loving Lord and Savior to structure His local churches toward Christ-likeness, a "knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness" (Titus 1:1). This truth is the Word of God. How we as Christians view the Bible will translate into how we view God, the gospel, and how we are protected from false teachers and false teachings.
The Word of God is a powerful word that surpasses our understanding. When we creatures think of being "creative," it is a mere reflection of reality or an imagined perception of reality. However, when God speaks, He brings something not reality into existence. He says, "let there be light," and light immediately appears. His Word is obeyed in His creation. When God speaks in His Bible, this Word is not a compilation of advice for creatures to decide to accept or not. Nor is God's Word like human law in which we like attorneys find loopholes to justify ourselves. God's Word is fully authoritative and expected to be observed and obeyed.
Jesus Himself commands His followers to take truth and false teachings serious. Jesus is rather impolite to false teachers, who were respected leaders in His day, calling them hypocrites, serpents, and even sons of hell who teach and lead more sons of hell (Matthew 23:15). Jesus compassion for the lost sheep of Israel recognizes that these astray sheep were without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Warning against false teachings and confronting false teachers is the work of our Lord, whose compassion shepherds us from these men which we are to avoid (Matthew 15:7-14).
Paul tells Titus that true teachings of the Word of God ("sound doctrine") is the knowledge of the truth that leads to holy living and rebukes error. We are to read and understand Scripture not as ideas to mesh into our worldview and culture, but transform our worldview and living according to the Word.
God's Word in Titus is not to improve an existing structure in local churches, but to establish a structure. Christ is the Head of His church and structures His church to carry out His earthly mission and to protect His people from false teachers and false teachings. Paul tells us in I Timothy 3:1, "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task." This inward desire is to match external qualifications outlined in Titus before being appointed as an elder/overseer.
In God's Word, far more attention is given to external qualifications than an inward "call," experience, or "leading of the Lord." Titus calls into question many modern notions of church growth and good leadership. In this series, I will outline the qualifications for pastors in the local church as found in Scripture.
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