Heralds Digest

"But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless". (Titus 3:9 NKJV) Every attempt from human efforts in life does not always lead to the desired profit; but none of human engagements is unprofitable, as long as clear goal is focused. Unfortunately, many of human engagements with divine assignment can be unproductive and irrelevant. Striving about an established existence, consistency, and sufficiency of God will lead anyone to nowhere. Titus needed to be wary of the strategy of the enemy to distract away from useful engagements, which are capable of rescuing souls from the pit of sin. Spiritual engagement on a physical might produces a double jeopardy for both the body and the soul.

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:8 NKJV) If only a good turn deserves another, good works will definitely be impossible to maintain in our human world. Where most of human actions are influenced by the attitude of others, whose intentions are mostly perceived to be negative, little wonder why the maintenance of good works is always a mirth. However, it is still possible for all to keep their beliefs in God, as the only Rewarder of good works. Unlike actions that are influenced by the attitude of people, only actions that are packaged as gratitude to God's goodness are profitable to all men. Human world is turned paradise, whenever glorious altitude is attained with gracious attitude.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12 NKJV) The church is not in the edifice that makes a cathedral, but in the environment where sound doctrine mixes perfectly with sound faith. This implies that a church is expected to be a place where sincere truth and saving grace represent the two inseparable doses for seekers of godliness and righteousness. Unfortunately, a church that emphasizes truth without grace produces hypocrites; while grace without truth maketh a hardened sinner. Only a sound church embraces and maintains the perfect balance between saving grace and godly teaching in the making of godliness and righteousness.

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." (Titus 1:16 NKJV) The knowledge of God represents a precious opportunity to understand the character of God. But beyond the knowledge of His character is the acknowledgement of the charisma of God, that is, His workings towards us. For example, God is not just holy, He maketh holy. This implies that anyone who claims the knowledge of God's holiness, but deny His power to make him holy, truly lacks faith in God. There is a divine power that draws everyone that relate with God, from where the seeker used to be, into the presence of God. Summarily, sound faith believes in divine reset into the original default of the character of God.

"...holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." (Titus 1:9 NKJV) There are several scriptural subjects that border on cultural lifestyles and circumstantial setting of divers races. The leading of the Holy Spirit is key, especially when the guidance of seekers on extra-doctrinal issues is cogent. However, faithful words are based on the teaching of sound biblical principles. Titus needed to ensure that only those who keep these sound doctrinal principles are appointed to leadership positions in the ministry. Likewise, the church today is in dear need of clergy, who can hold fast on sound doctrine, without the fear of losing ground.

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:22 NKJV) Comrades are generally endowed with a special fighting spirit. And it is understandable that fighting for the ephemeral things of this world can attract pleasure from possible accumulation of wealth and position. Unfortunately, this type of pleasure is transient; and it cannot endure the reality of life. Unlike general comrades, the spirit of a gracious comrade is never in bondage, even when his body is under lock and keys. As a comrade, now under incarceration, Paul understood the influence of the comfort of the Spirit of God for any lonely spirit. Gracious comrades are never alone, even when found in the deepest of darkness of this world.

"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" (2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV) Human solidarity boosts morale and confidence towards achievement in almost all of life's projects. Unfortunately, there are inherent dangers in riding on human platforms - it can yield due to cascading effect, leading to unpredictable damage and irreparable loss. However with God's solidarity and support, even the possible evil intentions in human assistance are turned good for His glory. Therefore, when it appears all hell are let loose, it is evident that sovereign solidarity cannot suffer loss.