Called to be Light

Titus 3:9-11

 Finding the courage to send out my thoughts “From the Back Porch” has not endeared me to some of my family, friends, associates, and neighbors, and I’ve had several ask me to take them off my email list.  What I write “From the Back Porch” are my thoughts based on my understanding of Scripture, and my dependence on the leading of the Holy Spirit.  My goal is not to be controversial, not to be disagreeable, and I do understand that many may have strongly felt beliefs that are not held by this writer.  My hope is that the reader would go to the Scripture and ask God to show His truth, not what someone or some commentary had to say.  I have no desire to be contentious, to cause disagreement and disputes between people of differing views.  My hearts desire is to share the Scriptures with all and maybe challenge some to pick-up their Bibles and search the promises of God.

I also must state that often people have taken the Scripture out of context in which they were written in order to make the point they desire, and that by removing one word you can come up with a new doctrine or teaching.  When a person does that knowingly, they are a deceiver and that is not a good place to find ones self.  So as I began to read this morning, I grew fearful that I also had been unknowingly in opposition to the teaching of Scripture.  I read and reread these verses, my first thoughts was to set-up a time with my Pastor for his council, or to find a commentary and read what they had said on these verses, and finally I stopped and ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of all truth to teach me the truth of these verses.  That is the moment I saw the words “quarrels about the law” and that changed everything.

I’ve come to the understanding that the best of commentary is the Bible, as we look on this letter to Titus in chapter 1 verses 10-16 gives understanding to whom Paul is referring; “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.”  These were Jews who were teaching Jesus plus for salvation.  Picking up the message in verses 14-16, “not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”  Much like our culture was the culture this young church found it self, and both Jews and Cretans were trying to simulate their traditions, and their life styles into this young church.  Paul tells Titus to, “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”  (Titus 3:9)

Since the establishment of the Church we have been under the attack of the enemy, and have been infiltrated and contaminated, and splinter, and often we leaned to our own understanding and allow the culture to invade the Church.  Somewhere we missed or choose to not believe that when we enter into Christ, we became one with every other person who enter into Christ.  We also are engaged in a struggle and it not with the Christian brother of another denomination, it is with the devil’s schemes, it with the authorities, and against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  It is time we began to treat each other as members of the family of God and acknowledge these words of our Lord.  “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25) 

It is a must to remember we are called to be light to the darkness, and to teach, to encourage, and even to rebuke, in love, our family members in the faith.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Devote oursleves to Good Works

 

Titus 3:8

We who go by the name Christian are to devote ourselves to good works, Titus 3:8, and I ask myself, self, what are good works?  How can “good works” be established, who has the say on what is good and what is not so good?  Do we listen to politicians, or preachers, or maybe our family and friends, who can tell you what is a good work?  Most of us have formed some standard of what is a “good work” and yet our culture may be in total disagreement with what you value as good.  There are many examples of our culture trying to change what we see as good, like the killing of a child in a mother’s womb so that the mother will not be inconvenienced, and many in our society see that as a good thing, while others see that as an affront to God.  Some of those who see that as murder have tried to educate the public that it is a sin against God, and by doing have been attacked as evil, mean spirited, and Doctor Jim Dobson was given the title of the number 1 enemy of the abortionist, and was called the names listed above.  For the record, Jim Dobson is one of my hero’s.  

By using the Bible as our guide, will not mean you will not run into strong disagreement from our culture on what is good, but has God spoken to that fact?  The Lord spoke using the voice of the prophet Isaiah Chapter 5, verse 20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”  That is the society we live in.  It is recorded in Matthew 5:16, these words of Jesus; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

In my profession I spent a lot of time on the road away from my family, and often stayed in the same hotel many nights.  I was convicted that leaving the room in a mess was a poor testimony to the cleaning people, so I began to do a good work, and leave the room in order.  Now that is not a big thing, but being concerned for someone who’s job it was to clean and put that room back in order, was a big thing, because that was a new mind-set.  I believe the Spirit of God spoke to me about this very small act, and that should warm your heart and mine, knowing how much God cares for each of us. 

I know of few if any outside of the U.S.A. that will ever read this, but we who live in this great nation are still rich, rich in freedom, in opportunity, and in the ability to worship, compared to much of this world.  In light of that 1 Timothy 6:17-18, should give us the directions for doing “good works,” “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”  As a follow of Christ this is what I believe, we must look to Scripture and ask God to speak to our hearts the “good works” He has for us that day.

Form the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Bible Thumper but not Religious

Titus 3:4-7

Some have called me a “Bible Thumper,” and others have pegged me as a religious person, and that may not even be close to the truth.  Now I must confess to being a “Bible Thumper,” but until today I had no clear understanding of the term.  “Bible Thumper” is defined in this manner: denoting a person who expounds or follows the teachings of the Bible in an aggressively evangelical way.  But when the word religious is used, my response is, that term covers too much water, for I know no one who is not religious about something.  I have never thought of Christendom as religion, it is centered on a relationship.  Now, that is not to say that many people who claim the title Christian have by-passed the relationship of Christendom and made a religion out of it. 

In that I am a simple small town boy, I like simple expression to give clarity to a subject; and this one does that, it is called “Do and done”.  Religion is about “doing” something to earn acceptance with God.  And “Done” is what Jesus did on the cross, the total payment of sin, so that the anger and wrath of God against sin was directed at Jesus.  By faith we choose to enter into a relationship with Christ.  Yep, religion is about earning your way into the presence of God, a great example is the Muslim that wrongly believes that by killing others he earns God’s approval, now that is religion.  Remember this, religion always kills, it was religious folks that killed our Lord, it is religious folks that have killed people all over the world, and often they have done it in the name of Christ.  But if you are a “Bible Thumper” or just a person who is curious and reads the Scriptures, you will never gleam the killing of anyone from the teaching of Jesus Christ or any of the apostles.  Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to pray for them, never did he teach a doctrine of hate; Jesus taught love, love your neighbors, and to love yourself, you will not find that in religion.

As you read Paul’s letter to Titus verses 4-7 gives a clear understanding of what God has done.  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  You will not find “do” in this, but you will find “done” written all over it.  So guilty as charged on the “Bible Thumper,” but you can keep your religion.  I, by faith in the Creator, have chosen to enter into Christ.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Baptist ABS class & Wal-Mart people

 

Titus 3:3

Let me have a disclaimer before I begin, I have been influenced by the Baptists, so when I refer to the church in this writing it is the SBC, for you who are of another denomination the SBC stands for Southern Baptist, not Northern, not Fundamental, not Missionary, not Primitive, and for sure not Foot Washing Baptist.  I have no understanding of their religious behavior.  But we of the SBC seem to like to change what we call things, but the end game is it just a name change.  For fifty years of my life I went to Sunday school, then one day I show up at my local church, and was informed that Adults do not go to Sunday school; they have ABS, now let me help you, that is defined as Adult Bible Study.  If you expected something to change other than the name, you were in for a big surprise, and I have no doubt that out of those actions were formed at least two more denominations with Baptist at the end of their name.

Baptists are known for having fights, splitting up, and the new church is called something like “Harmony”.  Even Baptists make jokes about the reason people split churches, and it is for the most foolish things.   Many are ignorant of what God has said in the Bible, or they are so into self that they do not give a flip what God or anyone else thinks, but their actions bring shame on His name, and they bring harm to the kingdom of God. 

It is fun to watch others and we see them doing some foolish things, things we would never do.  The new thing going around are the pictures of the Wal-Mart people, and they are somewhat over the top.   Since I spend more time in that ABS class than at Wal-Mart, I’ve observed in those Adult Bible studies that you have at least three groups of people, those who act as if they have never sinned, those who tell you that they are “dirty rotten sinners” and those who understand that by the grace of God they once were engaged in and controlled by sin, but now they choose to sin, and when doing so it brings sadness to their hearts.

Shall we look first at those who act as if they have never sinned; Paul is making it very clear to Titus that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Beginning in Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.”  If you cut to the chase, that means we were all sinners without hope of being made in right standing with God, till we accepted the atonement of Christ.  So that takes care of those who seem to have never been sinners.  What about the ones that still see themselves as “dirty rotten sinners” is that what God calls His children?  It is not even in the ballpark, for God has put your sin as far as the east is from the west, He tells us He no longer remembers them.  In fact, God sees us as holy, righteous, and God calls you saints, He is not referring to your performance. The word "saints" may be translated "dedicated, set apart, sacred or holy."  The third group that understands they are no longer under the control of sin but often choose to sin, those are the ones that also understand that they are saints and sometimes they allow the world system and the enemy to deceive them, and they sin, but it should break their hearts, because they are free from sin’s control.

I’m not sure where your thought life goes after watching the Wal-Mart pictures, but my heart goes to they are either ignorant of how to dress, and need someone to tell them that they really do not look cool, are they are dressing that way hoping to make the next addition of the Wal-Mart people.  Now when it comes to fellow believers sitting in your ABS class, be slow to speak, quick to listen, and remember that you also have at some point fallen into each of these three groups.  Speak the truth in love, and be very careful not to discourage a younger believer, but to ask the Holy Spirit to guide them into truth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

My Dad was a Titus 3:1-2 man

Titus 3:1-2

My dad, from a child’s eyes, was not someone you ran and jumped into his lap, he did not spend time playing ball or wrestling on the living room floor, and he often seemed grouchy.  But that was from the eyes of a child, as an adult I look back at him and see a totally different dad.  He worked shift-work at a refinery, and often slept during the time the neighborhood kids played in and out of the house as dad tried to sleep.  In that mother and dad’s bedroom adjoined the front porch, where the mail man, the milk man and the salespeople came and made noise, along with the neighborhood kids, with open windows and only screens to keep the racket and the bugs out; and I thought he was grouchy, he was a saint.  I recall his knees were bad from playing football, and often he had to wrap ace bandages around those swollen knees so that he could walk to his job at the refinery, or his second job selling “Real-silk” which was uniforms for ladies that worked in restaurants, and silk socks to both men and women, and even undergarments.  Yes, dad walked for miles because we could not afford a car, he had too many hospital bills from mothers many operations and he had children to clothe and feed.

But this is what my dad did often; he taught us how to live in our community, how to treat our neighbors, how to honor our mother, and how to look to God.  One of my fondest memories of dad is this saying, and one he lived by, “If you cannot say something good about a man, say nothing at all.”  I also remember this saying that came from his lips; “If that person knew Christ, they would not be like that” so it is our responsibility to tell them about how much He loves them.”  You may be wondering what this has to do with Titus 3:1-2, my dad was that kind of man.  Those verses read this way; “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” 

How different my life would have been if only I had modeled my dad in these areas, if only I had followed the doctrine of Titus chapter two.  But I go back to my daddy’s words, “if only that person knew how much they were loved,” if only I would have obeyed and applied what I now understand, God was able to change my mind and heart to these truths.  It is my choice and it is also yours, ask God to apply Titus 3:1-2 to your daily life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Reflection

 

Titus 2:19

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”  Often, I share with my dear friend John that this thing called aging is for the birds.  Both of us are blessed to have good health and both of us enjoy working and fixing the things in the house and in our yards, but both of us run out of gas, so to say, much quicker than when we were in our fifties.  However, this morning I’ve discovered a real blessing of aging it is called reflection, the process of reconsidering previous actions. 

This morning as I read “Declare these things” my thoughts went to some men that I met over my life in Christ that challenged me to declare the sound doctrine of Christ, most were not preachers, they did not attend the church I was part of, but they were faithful men, they were kingdom minded men, who God used to challenge, to rebuke, to encourage my life.  Many of you have had such people in your life, and they were sent by the Holy Spirit to encourage you to also declare sound doctrine.  I was a slow learner, no, that’s not true, I was fearful of what many of you would think of me.  I put your thoughts above what Paul told Titus to proclaim. 

So this is what God did, and I am so thankful that He loved me and kept sending faithful men to encourage and rebuke me in the authority of Christ.  One of the first encouragers was Bob my barber, who was used to introduce me to Christ who I knew all about, but had never known Him in a personal way.  Then there was Johnny Anderson, (Mr. Texas – Mr. Southern U.S.A.) but it was not muscles I saw, but a meek warrior who loved Jesus and was not ashamed to be identified with Him.  Jack Archer was an all American football player; he also played one year with the New York Giants and was a very successful oilman.  Jack was used by God to teach me that Jesus loved a rascal like me and that I could trust him.  Then he sent me a younger man, Greg Hood and I saw faith lived out, and he made an impact on my life.  Another oilman moved down the street from me, Ken Ryan, and he is a teacher of the Bible.   He is a teacher but most of his teaching came from watching him live it out on planet earth, and at age 85 he is still living it out for all who come in contact with him.  I’ve not told you about Carroll Ray Jr., a numbers guy (CPA), but Carroll was used by God in so many ways to teach me that God in me could do anything that the Spirit led me to do.  John Davis was a Vice Chairman of a Fortune 500 company, when we met, I joined his Adult Sunday School class, he later became the CEO of that company, and I became his prayer partner.  We still pray for each other, but God used John to confront me, to encourage and to be my friend.

Each of these men and many others have been used of God to teach me the doctrine in Titus chapter two, but these men were used by the Father in this area; “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice 

Soon very Soon

December 25, 2010

Titus 2:11-14

It is Christmas morning, Jan and I have the house to ourselves and we decided to sleep in and just enjoy the day.  I’ve been told we are going to have waffles with blueberries for breakfast, looking forward to that event.  Byron and Nat and the boys were with us earlier, and we did the big Christmas dinner and exchanging of gifts, so today will be somewhat quieter, not the norm of excitement that comes from looking at the gifts under the tree, and wondering if someone kept up the tradition of giving me the chocolate covered cherries that I never ate.  Often I’ve wondered, have we lost the most important part of Christmas?  Is it really centered in eating more than we should, or is it about buying gifts and spending time with our family?  For many it can be the worst time of their year, for various reasons like loneliness, pain, hurt, or separation.  This morning, I read Titus 2:11-14, and once more knew that Christmas is only Xmas, if we are not looking to the Gift of God, our Blessed Hope.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

If some how you have gotten caught up in the Xmas of the year and left out Christ, it is not too late, it’s just one of those worldly passions Paul is talking about in these verses.  Hundreds of years before the coming of Christ in the form of a baby, the prophet Isaiah was told by the Holy Spirit to write these words; “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)   I have come to believe that when it comes to God, His ways are beyond my understanding and so I have a choice, to believe the Scriptures or to place my faith in some person, someone like myself, I’ve chosen by faith to put my hope in God, in His written word, and in His promises. 

As I stated above it is beyond my understanding how a virgin could have a child, it only works if God Himself got involved in the process.  But stop and put yourself in the place of a young girl who is waiting to be married, and the angel Gabriel who was sent from God tells her she will be the mother of the Son of God.  Picking up the story in Luke 1:34, “And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”  And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God.”

I’ve now experienced the blueberry waffles, and they far exceeded my expectations, they were warm and Jan had fresh lemon curd with fresh blueberries, I no longer have to hope for them I’ve experienced the fullness of those waffles.  If you have not experienced the fullness of the Son of God, today would be a great day to invite Him into your life, and to do as many of us are; waiting for our blessed hope, you see He keeps His promises and He is coming back, it may be today, I do not know, but this I know it will be soon, very soon.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

My blog; http://fromourbackporch.blogspot.com/

What is your understanding of the word Pilfering?

Titus 2:9-10

I’ve come to this understanding over some thirty + years of reading the Bible, that it is a living book, and that the Holy Spirit will allow me understanding or insights into a verse or passage that I’ve read many times, but never saw or understood that particular truth until that day.  Often, it was a conviction that was needed to change my direction.  I also have read past many passages in Scripture, thinking that it has no application in my life, verses like Titus 2:9-10; “Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

What if you substituted employees for the word slaves and employers for the word masters, now read this verse, and ask the question, who is the subject of the sentence and what action are they to take?  I’ve stated in past papers, that I identified with the word slave when I was in the army and when I worked in the oil field.  Both of these roles were like being a slave, the army because I had no choice that made sense but to follow orders, and the oil field because I had a young wife that needed my support and I was not equipped, but I did not have the education or training at that time to support her any other way.  But whether you identify with slaves or employees, this verse applies to all who are in the employment of someone else.

First, we are told to be submissive, is that not giving in to the authority of your employer?  And it all comes down to the spirit of how you submit, it should be done with the right heart attitude, if not, you have not followed the teaching of this Scripture.  I must confess that I was a poor mentor to those who were watching my actions when it came to this verse. 

What is your understanding of the word pilfering, is it stealing?  Now I do not like you or anyone else implying that I’m a thief, and I bet that you do not appreciate it either, but most of us have pilfered from our employers.  Words do have meaning and we live in a culture that has been diligent in it attempt to change the meaning of words.  We may agree that pilfering is like telling a white lie, once more, what the _____ does that mean.  Is it a lie or isn’t it?  Now when it comes to pilfering, we often see it as typically things of relatively little value, like a pen or postage notes that we take to use for work, but often are used in our homes or given to family.   And God calls that stealing, it was not yours, and you took it.  It also applies to time that you were being paid for, but you were using the time for your own personal needs, and you did not have your employer’s approval.  The bottom line is that we are to bring honor to God in our employment.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A mentor can bless you in many ways

Titus 2:3-4

Yesterday we explored Paul’s admonishment to Titus on teaching sound doctrine by the older men in the church, and today we look at the same for older women.  “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, (Paul goes on to explain what is meant by this) not slanderers or slaves to much wine.  They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

How would things change if the older women began to see themselves as the teachers of sound doctrine, or we might refer to them as mentors?  Some do and some very smart young ladies seek them out to learn from them, but it is not the norm, it is the exception.  Is our culture that much different than those have been before us? 

If you have a good marriage and have raised your family and after that your children and husband can testify that you were a woman of great value, a person who had self-control, was pure and kind and lived in submission to God and your husband, you have great value to some young women who may not have been raised with those values, that is doctrine.

Both Jan and I have been blessed to have had mentors, and how we needed them.  Jan has had two Joyce’s in her life, Joyce Ryan and Joyce Ray and both of these ladies taught my wife valuable lessons that have enriched our marriage, and their investment did not come without some cost to them in the area of time.  But they were doing what Titus 1:3-4, instructs older women to do, and they were witnesses about how that investment in Jan enriched our home and family.  Jan has also been a mentor to many young ladies and has had the privilege to see marriages saved, young mothers learning how to love and respect their husbands and to raise their children in the doctrine of the Scriptures.  All of these ladies had the same goal; that the word of God might not be ignored, but that the young ladies would learn to put their trust in what God has spoken to them in His word?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Doctrine that Guides our Life

 

Titus 2:1-2

What do I believe, and why do I believe it?  All of us have a doctrine that guides our life, and yet we may never refer to it in such a way.  When it comes to doctrine they are so numerous, we will not make a list.  The dictionary defines doctrine: a rule or principle that forms the basis of a belief, theory, or policy, or a body of ideas, particularly in religion, taught to people as truthful or correct.  Each of us has some kind of a moral compass, that was taught to us, wrong and right, but if your teachers were morally bankrupt or if they hated others because of their skin color, or believed that authority was for others but not for them, then you have a person with unsound doctrine, and a deprived pattern for living life on planet earth.  Do you realize that the members of these early churches had already formed patterns for living life when they came into Christ, and you can bet the farm they were not habits, patterns, or doctrine of living the Christian life?  Now, before you write me off, I understand that when they ask Jesus to come into their life, the old man died, but the (flesh) the learned patterns for getting their needs met did not change, they had to be trained in a new doctrine of living life.

This is what Paul is teaching Titus to do with the church at Crete, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”  I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit instructed Paul to give some guidelines on what was meant by “Sound Doctrine.”  In verse 2 we begin; “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”  If you are one of us older men, how are you doing with this “sound doctrine”?  Sober-minded, could that be defined as being serious, sensible in your actions.  Then he instructs us to be “dignified” and I must say that does not come easy for a guy who was raised on 3738 Liberty drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.  I would define a dignified person as one who lives his life showing respect for others and for himself.  He lives in a respectable way.  Paul goes on to tell Titus that an older man should be self-controlled, and when that becomes so important, is in difficult situations.  The older man should be in control of their emotions at all times.  Sound in faith, my friend Carroll Ray, Jr. who is hanging out with Jesus taught me that faith is acting like Jesus tells the truth.  Yes, we must have faith that is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  And it must be build on love, an assurance that God loves you and that Christ who is your life will give you the desire and ability to love others.  And how should we do all of this with steadfastness, or you might say persistence. 

In order to be a model or mentor of value to the kingdom of God and to young men, it was necessary for these men first to apply these teachings to their own life and then to impart them to younger men.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

To the Pure

Titus 1:15-16

It is one of those mornings, I awoke at 3:15, did my time in the bathroom and back to bed only to lay there with my mind going in many directions.  After praying and trying to go back to sleep I’m up looking at the Scripture listed above.  Verse 15 is not one you just read past, not at 4:59 in the morning.  “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both minds and their consciences are defiled.”  Do you ever think of yourself as one of the most messed up Christians on planet earth?  I do, often my thoughts are negative, not loving, they are not compassionate, or tender, and sometime my actions are not the actions of a follower of Christ.  Now I understand that this Scripture is about the qualifications for being an Elder, but you and I have also been called to be ambassadors of Christ, to live a holy life, to be set apart for the service to our God.  So are you pure?

I have this big problem with our culture, I still believe words should mean the same thing to each of us, if not, how are we going to go forward and function as a community.  So what is the meaning of the word pure: 1) not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material. 2) Free of any contamination. 3) Wholesome and untainted by immorality.  I ask are you pure?  I’m also sure you noticed I ask you, and left myself out of the mix. 

I know that I’ve been tainted by immorality, I let things into my home through the T.V. that has tainted me, I’ve allowed the world to contaminate me, and I like so many of you live in self denial.  Are we who know God being rendered of no eternal value because we have been tainted by the love of stuff, or privilege or our standing in the community. 

Now folks, listen to me, this has not one thing to do with your relationship with God, your performance does not change that, but it has to break your fellowship, it has to render your life of little value to the kingdom.  So the question comes back to “But How” how can we decontaminate our minds and our souls, how can we be pure?  We must abide in Christ, we must submit to His authority.  We do not need more information, what we need is obedience, submission to what we already have understanding of.  You can study and even rightly divide the word of God, and still be impure; it requires us to apply the truth we know to our individual lives, and to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  His job is to lead us into all truth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Christianity was never centered in Religion

Titus 1:10-14

My dad enjoyed history, he liked to read and study about the past; and this was his summation on what history has taught us; nothing!  Dad said if we would just learn from history, it would not be repeated over and over, but it is.  That is what came into my mind as I reflected on these verses, we the church have not learned the lesson of history, we just keep repeating them.  We may have better programs and we may have more comforts, but we have falsely believed that bigger is better, or that growth in numbers means that God is doing a work.  If that is your theology let me punch a hole in it; the Muslim religion is very fast growing, but I can assure you that our Father in heaven is not promoting a distorted religion of hate and death.  It may be of importance to note that religions end is death; it always kills all who will not comply with it.  It’s true with the Muslim faith, and it was true with the Jews who killed Jesus, and it’s happening all over the world, and has been from the beginning.  That is why Christianity was never centered in religion its focus is on a relationship with God, a personal relationship with no one other than Jesus Christ.  And that exposes the problem, from the beginning people who knew not Christ but wanted to be religious joined these fellowships; we call them the local church, and they wanted to improve on God’s plan for the Church.

It is important to understand that Paul is not referring to the guy in the pew; he is making reference to leadership in the church.  Beginning in verse ten, “For there are many who are insubordinate (somebody who refuses to obey or submit to authority) empty talkers (I’ve often been guilty of this) and deceivers, (a liar) especially those of the circumcision party.”  We need to stop and understand what is going on with the circumcision party: we might compare them to the nuts who teach that only the King James Version of the Bible is true.  They were Jews that taught Jesus plus, and the plus was circumcision in order to be saved.  If you turn to Acts 15:1 or it might help to see the effect they were having in the church even with apostles like Peter, in Galatians 2:11-14.  Shall we pick-up with verse 11, they must be silenced, since they are unsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.”  What was the shameful gain, I am not sure, it may have been money, but it was more than likely rules that would earn you acceptance with God. 

As he goes forward in verse 12, he addresses the culture of Crete, and the Cretans, and refers to them as always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons, and I know when I’m in over my head so I turned to Barnes’ notes on the Bible for insights. One of themselves - That is, one of the Cretans. The quotation here shows that Paul had his eye not only on the Jewish teachers there, but also on the native Cretans. The meaning is, that, alike in reference to Jewish teachers and native-born Cretans, there was need of the utmost vigilance in the selection of persons for the ministry. They all had well-known traits of character, which made it proper that no one should be introduced into the ministry without extreme caution. It would seem, also, from the reasoning of Paul here, that the trait of character here referred to pertained not only to the native Cretans, but also to the character of the Jews residing there; for he evidently means that the caution should extend to all who dwelt on the island.

It is important to understand that Paul left Titus in Crete to establish order and appoint elders in every town.  Titus was a leader under the authority of Scripture, Titus was a great asset in the kingdom of God, and it goes without saying that someone teaching another gospel will only harm the local church.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Job I would not want

 

Titus 1:4-9

Have you ever thought about jobs that others do well and even enjoy, and under your breath you say this prayer; Thank you dear God that was not in your plans for me.  If I began to make a list it would be offensive to someone, but I will share the one I was called to and that was sales.  Over my career, I cannot tell you the number of times someone would say, “I just do not understand how anyone could be in sales,” and yet it was what I enjoyed, it was my calling.  But we all have jobs that come to mind that no matter the pay, it would not be one that we would look forward to. 

I will share with you one that I would have no interest in and the pay has improved over the years, it’s the job of Pastor, Elder, Bishop, or Priest.  As I stated, the pay has improved and many have looked to the job as isolation from the competition found in the work place.  Many have looked at it as a profession and not a calling from God.  And many of these crash and burn, and most of the time they take many captive with them.  But many do not crash and burn, they just show-up and do what is necessary, they would much rather be playing golf or fishing than to put up with the many problems that comes with the job.  They are no different than the many, so called, sales people I’ve met who thought it was an easy way to make a living and that it gave you a lot of freedom.  They never, and I do mean never excelled, and they were always griping about the job.

Most of us before we consider an occupation should do a diligent study of the requirements and the opportunities.  Paul is instructing Titus on what is required for a person who is to be a Pastor, Elder, or Bishop, and this is just the short list.  Let us begin with verse 6, “If anyone is above reproach, (no criticism can be voiced against them) the husband of one wife, (I’ve always thought this was a show stopper for a woman wanting the office) and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery (debauchery: a life of self-absorption) or insubordination. (Insubordination: disobedience) For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:6-9 with emphases added)

If you are engaging thoughts of becoming a pastor, study and pray diligently about these requirements, the job is not for a perfect man, if it was, you would not be qualified, it is for a man who has the calling of God on his life for this job.  If I began to tell you what an average person in the Sunday morning pew expected of you, you would run faster than Jonah did away from Nineveh. 

I’ve been blessed to know a few men who understood the requirement of this calling on their life, they understand that they are not the big dog, that their calling is not greater than the calling of the Christian plumber whose ministry is to the work place, but it does come with the requirement to be a shepherd; to love, guide and care for a group of people who often have no desire to be guided. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Vapor Life

Titus 1:2-3

I have read that young men think of sex very often and an older man thinks about death frequently.  I’m sure there is some truth to that, but when it comes to death it has no age group, it happens to the young as well as the aged.  These are the questions that may come into your mind when you think about death.  I’m not talking about someone else’s death, but your death.  As I’ve matured and seen many who are younger than I go out of this world, the subject of death frequents my thoughts and these are some of the thoughts I have: have I left things in good order like our finances, have I made sure that Jan will be able to live in a manner she has enjoyed?  Have I left an inheritance for my daughter, son-in-law and grandsons, but also have I left a legacy of living life on planet earth that will bring glory to God and be of value to those who come after me.

Often I’ve pondered these words of Jesus; “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?  Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Matthew 16:26)  It is never to late to change directions, even your GPS gives you the best route, the quickest route, and most of us choose the fastest route.  Why are we in such a hurry, do we understand that God refers to this life as just a vapor, it’s like a flower that blooms one day and the next day is gone.  Paul is telling Titus and us that our hope is not in this life, the vapor life, but our hope is in the eternal life with the Father and our Lord.  A life promised by God who does not lie and who promised that life to all who accepts His free gift, Jesus; who has taken your place, paid your debt, and given you His Spirit.

If you have been blessed to live in the greatest place in this world, the United States, then you also have been exposed to the gospel, and you have made a choice.  Since God chose to give us a free will to accept or reject His gift of love, each time you or I have heard the gospel message we have chosen to accept or reject Jesus.  Your Creator, your Redeemer, will not force His will on your vapor life, but this is what our Lord tells us that acceptance will cost.  It is found also in Matthew 16:24-25, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, (the vapor life) but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”  (Eternal life)  Is not this the question we all must answer; have I found the vapor life, but turned my back on the eternal life, because I have been fooled into believing that a life of self denial and serving God and following Christ, is not going to meet my needs.  Wake-up, stop buying into the lie of the enemy and this world system, and change the vapor life for the eternal.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

My blog; http://fromourbackporch.blogspot.com/

What is your concept of a Servant?

Titus 1:1-4

When the word servant comes up my first thought is somebody that works for a family of wealth.  But unlike a slave, a servant has a choice of whom he chooses to serve.  A servant may not be that bad of a gig, it has everything to do with whom your serving.  Most of my friends have never been servants, and neither have I, unless you call my time in the U.S. Army.  And I do not think that was being a servant in that a servant has a choice, and that was not part of Uncle Sam’s options.

As we look into Titus we begin with a greeting to Titus from the apostle Paul, and he identifies himself in this way; “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the age begin and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”  I enjoy pointing out these sentences that seem like a paragraph to Jan, she is always on me for my long sentences.  Now what were we talking about, it was how Paul identifies himself, a servant of God, is that out of the ordinary for an apostle?  No, not at all, the apostle James referred to himself as a servant of God in James 1:1.  The apostle Peter called himself a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, in 2 Peter 1:1.  And we also have Jude; many believe he was the brother of Jesus who only identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, in Jude 1.

These men did more than just said they were part of Christ, they chose to be servants of our Lord.  Many today identify with churches, political parties, companies, and labor unions, but they do not become servants of them.  As followers of Christ, are we called to do more than just identify with Jesus Christ?  Before going there it may be important to understand that in our culture we look down on servants, they are assumed to be of lower skills, or lesser class, even of lesser education than the ones being served.  So we may have a real problem because we cannot lower ourselves to a lowly role of a servant, not even to our Creator, our Redeemer, our Lord.  If that is where you find yourself, you have some big problems, and you will miss out on the fullness of life that God has planned for you.

It is important to remember that God does not change, and this was His message to Moses for Israel, and it is still the message to us His church: “And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)   For the few who only take heart in the New Testament look at Ephesians 6:7, the message of Scripture is that Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and we are to do as our Master.  If you are not serving, you are not living a kingdom-centered life because a kingdom minded person identifies and submits to the authority of God. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Is Sin an outdated Concept?

 

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

How do you define sin, or a better question, do you even have the word sin in your vocabulary?  I worked with a young man named Cory and he often would say that is just wrong, is wrong sin?  If we were to ask the apostle James this question, this would be his reply; “Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17)   If we were to interview John the apostle these would be his thoughts; “Everyone who sins break the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4)  But John had more to say and my young friend Cory must have learned from John, look at this; “All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” (1 John 5:17)  I’m not sure it is proper to interview apostles without asking the apostle Paul his thoughts, so this is from Paul, “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)  I also thought it might be wise to ask King Solomon his thoughts; “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)

What does that have to do with 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15?  Before answering, let me ask you this question, “Do you have Christian friends in your church who know what they are doing is wrong, but have an in your face attitude about the matter?  There are many examples, a husband or wife who is unfaithful to their mate, a son or daughter, who is living in total rebellion toward their parents, a deacon or his wife, a pastor or his wife, a teacher or his wife who is a gossip.  This list can be very long, but the sin that is being referred to in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 is a brother or sister in Christ who understand and it is known by others that they are living outside of the will and desires of God, outside of the knowledge they have in Scripture.

One of the great teachers of Scripture is when it is applied to your life, so let me get personal; in my early thirties I believed a lie and that lie took me down a road I would never have chosen.  I was a novice at living the Christ life, but was also very enthusiastic so the local body wrongly put me in the office of deacon.  I went from having a humble spirit to having a proud spirit, and God hates a proud spirit.  I opened my life up to judgment and pride took over and I almost lost my family.  The local church did not have to worry about not having anything to do with me my shame and sinful life caused me to run from that group of people; that is most of those people.  But Mickey Johnson was not one I could run from, others in that local church saw me as the enemy, but not Mickey, he saw me as a brother.  To this day, I remember that phone call from Mickey, “Bob I totally disagree with what you are doing, but I love you, and if you will let me I will help you.”  Those words were the words of God, spoken by his servant Mickey Johnson, a man of faith and integrity. 

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.  Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”  This truth has become so real to me, the church needs people with the spirit that Mickey demonstrated to me, he stood and confronted me about sin, but he also showed love, he was willing to invest his life in a failed person, who was redeemable; and that was Christ living His life out in Mickey.  Do you have some failed person in your life, in your church, if so they are redeemable?

Form the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

“Bad company ruins good morals.”

2 Thessalonians 3:13

When I was just a little child and as I grew into my teenage years, I recall mother telling us you will be identified with the people you have as friends.  I have no doubt that there were mothers on Liberty drive that told their sons to stay away from that youngest Rice kid, while I was in what we called Jr. high school.  Mother often quoted this verse from 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”  One of the best examples I can think of is the many men and women who have gone to Washington D.C. to serve our country and have through association with the evil power brokers become a total embarrassment to the ones who sent them.  I believe many started out to do good, but they were deceived, because they did not understand what God had taught my mother, “Bad company ruins good morals.”

When it comes to doing good, it is not something a person usually gets much acclaim for; examples are the mother that never gets any thanks for the clean house, the fresh homemade meals, the clean clothes, and that her children are taught to respect others and to do good.  Also the dad who works two jobs, and yet sees to the needs of his family, and somehow makes it to most of the school plays and sporting events, and makes sure that his family knows that life without Jesus is empty.  And those mom’s and dads all have the same issue, the enemy of our souls reminds them everyday that they are not appreciated, that they should just quit, and take care of number one because no one really cares, no one in their family has given any notice to what they have done.

As I reflected on 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” This thought filled my mind; doing “good” is not common to man, it is a learned behavior, it has to be taught.  It will be helpful in your understanding of this truth to observe a young couple with their first baby, and it may help to watch also the grandparents if it is also their first grandchild.  Do you see any body teaching that child to be grateful or to value others above themselves?  You have got to be kidding, all the hoopla is about them, that child is the center of that family, and if at some point they are not taught to consider others more valuable than themselves, to be grateful, to appreciate the labors of others, to value kindness, and goodness; they will be just one more person sucking their needs out of any and everyone they come in contact with.

So lets close this “From the back Porch” in this way, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Does Working for a living fit into God's Plans

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

It is apparent to most of us that we have moved from a culture with a strong work ethnic to a society with an entitlement mindset.  Is an entitlement mindset outside of the will of God?  The only way to know that is to look at what God has spoken to us in His written word.  Shall we begin in the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it.”  Now that was before the fall, before Adam rebelled against God, did it all change after the fall? The answer is found in Genesis 3:19, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”  King Solomon a man God gave great wisdom has this to say in regards to work, in both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23) And in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

You may be thinking, now that is Old Testament does the New Testament have anything that addresses the value of work?  If those were your thoughts then you and I are on the same page, the book of Ephesians 4:28, states; “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, and he may have something to share with those in need.”  And as we look at 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, it may come over as harsh, unsympathetic, or even unkind, watch-out, do not let your emotions set a standard that God has not set.  It may also be wise to understand this is directed at and to the Church, and to brothers who are not willing to work.  “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

I have no reservation about work, that it was and still is God’s design, and take the ability to work from a person, and they will become discontent.  In fact, we have seen the model, from the American Indian to the Black family, when the government takes away that option.  They first become discontent, but after a couple of generations they become entitled, and they demand that someone else labors to support their needs.  In fact, an entitlement mindset leads to demanding that you have all the benefits of the worker, without moving off your lazy ass.  Once more let me say that this culture has come into the church, and often we the church see ourselves as doing good when we are in violation of the Scriptures.

We must pray for the ability to discern, between helping a brother who has no will to work, and giving support to the one who is willing to work.  That will require us to personally involve ourselves in our brothers and sisters lives.  It will require us to ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth to guide us in our desires to follow the will of God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice