How to Faithfully Fulfill the Call of God

As ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we’re called to promote the Faith among God’s chosen people; getting out the accurate word about God and how to respond rightly to it. This is the life God promised long ago, this is what He called us to do, and He doesn’t break promises!

My aim therefore, is to raise hopes and awareness; that, in the last days some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:1-2 NKJV). But "Preach the Word…" (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Be cognizant of this fact and execute it with all diligence; we’ve been entrusted to proclaim this Message by the command of our Savior, God himself.

As a church leader, being responsible for the affairs in God’s house, one should not be pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunkard, not a bully, not money-hungry for filthy lucre. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either encourage people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.

Thus, our job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We shouldn’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior.

Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. But mostly, show them all this by doing it ourselves, incorruptible in our teaching, our words solid and well-balanced. Then anyone who is obstinate against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around. Instruct those in employ to be loyal workers, a blessing to their employers, not argumentative, not being a petty thief. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God’s readiness to give and forgive is made public; that is, Salvation is available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is in us and is encouraging for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered Himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people He can be proud of, active in goodness.

We must without reservation tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them through the word if they get out of line.  Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights! God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our fleshly desires, going around with a chip on our shoulder, being hated and hating back.

But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, He saved us from all that. It was all His doing; we had nothing to do with it. He washed us in His blood, and we came out of it new people, sanctified and cleansed with “the washing of water by the word…” (Eph. 5:26-27), and the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with Him and given us back our lives; and there’s more life to come, an eternity of life! You can count on this.

Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere… All must learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met, especially among the needy and shut-in.

Finally, a soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals with the enemy, he concentrates on carrying out orders. Trustworthy, reliable leaders who are competent to teach others must be prepared that when the going gets rough, to turn the other cheek, the way Jesus did; and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulation, will help us bear it that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Cor. 1:3-4). The blessings of the lord Jesus Christ be your portion!

(Excerpt from Paul’s instruction to Titus, Ch.1-3 paraphrased)