Titus 1.15, 16

Pray Psalm 82.6-8.
I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations.

Read Titus 1.15, 16

Prepare.
1. About whom is Paul writing in these verses? Are these people outside the church or within it?

2. What do these verses suggest about the true nature of saving faith?

Meditate.
Paul’s use of “pure” here relates to sound doctrine. When our doctrine is what it ought to be – when we truly understand and stand in truth – then everything else in our lives will fall into place accordingly. But when we allow defilement into our soul – worldly ways and thinking – then we cannot know sound doctrine, and our walk with the Lord will be compromised at every turn.

All the more reason for elders to be constant about maintaining sound doctrine in the church.

Professing to know the Lord is no guarantee of possessing eternal life. Those who were threatening to subvert and divide the churches in Crete professed to know the Lord, but they denied him by their works. Not only did they not obey the Word of the Lord, but they practiced those things which God had described as abominations. Because of this, they disqualified themselves from doing the good works every believer should be equipped for and ready to perform.

People who live this way may call themselves Christians, and even sincerely believe that they are; but Paul says they are “unbelieving”. The kindest thing we can do for such people is to “rebuke them sharply” (v. 13) and call them to repent and believe the Gospel.

Reflect.
1. Is professing to believe in Jesus all that God requires of us? Explain.

2. Defilement begins in the soul – mind, conscience, and heart. We must guard our soul as Adam was charged with guarding the garden (Gen. 2.15). What does this entail?

3. How can a believer become qualified for every good work?

By the quality of works is the human heart made known, and outward actions disclose the beauty of souls. There are some, as the apostle says, who “profess to know God but deny him through their deeds.” Truly the guilt of denial is incurred when the ears have heard what is good but the conscience does not hold on to it. Leo the Great (fl. 440-461), Sermons 36.4

Keep me in the truth, Lord, and guard my soul from corruption, so that I may…

Pray Psalm 82.5-8.
Paul’s words for today are a strong warning against living a shallow faith. Let this psalm guide you to be renewed in your own understanding of the faith, and in your commitment to serve the Lord today in every good work.

Sing Psalm 82.5-8.
Psalm 82.5-8 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
They do not understand, they in darkness walk around,
While Zion’s walls are shaken  and scattered on the ground.
God says to them, “My children, the sons of God Most High,
Though you be high exalted, like all men you shall die.”

Rise up, O God, in splendor according to Your worth!
Rise up in pow’r to judge all the nations of the earth!
Rise up, O God our Savior, and hear our fervent call,
For You possess and rule o’er the nations one and all.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).