Titus 3:9-11

Passage

And keep away from being involved in foolish controversies, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for these are without benefit and futile.  Reject the divisive man after one or two attempts to correct the behavior while knowing that one such as this has departed from the path of correct behavior and has sinned while being condemned by their own actions.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul cautions Titus to not become involved in silly debates.  If we look at what Paul is saying here, he is largely condemning typical Jewish teaching with respect to importance to God.  He is saying that one’s genealogy (IE, tribe from which a person was born) is pointless in Christ because clearly Gentiles don’t even have a tribe!  He also knows what it is like to be a former Pharisee and be involved in endless debates about the Law with other Pharisees.  He knows what it is like to be in a rivalry with Sadducees and Essenes and other Jewish groups.  Having been there, Paul knows the futility of these times.  He tells Titus to learn from his own mistakes and avoid those kinds of debates.  Modern examples of this might be discussing the timing of the end of the world, denominational arguments, and endless policy debates in church meetings.

How easily do you get sucked into such conversations?  How profitable are these kinds of debates?  Do you agree with Paul that areas like this are best avoided because they are futile and don’t resolve anything?

Second Thought:

Paul then tells Titus to reject the divisive person after trying to correct them once or twice.  This is tough advice.  As soon as you reject someone – someone who may well even claim to be a follower of God – it is easy to get labeled as a hater or someone who is disagreeable.  None of us like those kinds of labels.  However, we also can’t have division in our midst.  Division will only take away from the ministry of God that could be happening.  Thus, we must strike a balance between tolerance of others and strict obedience to God.  Tolerance is a great thing so long as it does not force us to compromise on our obedience to God.  When we start compromising upon God, we have indeed gone too far.

Is it easy for you to rebuke someone who is being divisive?  What makes it challenging in any way?  Why are many people susceptible to doubts when taking a stand of authority?

Third Thought:

Paul then tells Titus that divisive people are already condemned by their own actions.  They have departed the path of truth.  If God is leading people one way and they are being divisive, then it is logical to see them as having departed the path of righteousness.  The issue is that as human beings we don’t want to see it that way.  We don’t want to be on the hook for “judging them.”  So often we let them continue to be divisive and disruptive in our midst.  But the truth is that people who continually disrupt the flow of God’s work have left the path of truth and stand condemned before God by their own actions.

Do you take divisiveness seriously?  Do you resist it or do you simply shut down and try to outlast it?  Why are many people successful in being divisive in the church?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:12-15