Don’t be a Cretan!

"They claim to know God, but by their actions deny Him." Titus 1:16

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Titus, the young pastor, to encourage him in his work on the island of Crete. Evidently, the Cretans were a surly lot with lots of rough edges and not much conscience about it. Paul says earlier that Titus should straighten them out because even their leaders were prone to be overbearing, hotheaded, violent, dishonest, and they drank way too much. Whoa, not an easy job assignment. Paul directs Titus to rebuke them sharply, and to confront their bad behavior so as not to corrupt the whole church. Even today the term “Cretan” is far from a compliment and the reputation of this culture and people has had a bad reputation for centuries. Of course the grace of Christ can transcend anything or anyone regardless how inappropriate or vile. It is largely unknown across the many years how the churches on this Mediterranean Island faired. I am sure sometimes better and sometimes not.

This particular verse reminds me of one my favorite sayings that I often quote, “What you are doing speaks so loud, people can’t hear what you are saying”. Sounds a lot like “they claim to know God, but by their actions deny Him”. How difficult transformation would be when corruption begins at the top. Whether that be at the top of a family, church business, or a nation. Paul’s simple outline for Titus to turn them around was to insist on right living and doing good. Pretty easy to remember, huh? His remedy for their bad behavior was to require that they live right and do good, not only in the church, but in the community.

Cretans, like us need to “raise the bar” and be accountable. We can learn an important lesson from this note to Titus. God is watching and so is everybody else. Sooo, let’s not put a hindrance of a stumbling block in anyone’s way. What if we are the only Bible some people ever read? That is convicting! Let’s all be more aware of our hypocrisy. No wonder the spread of the Gospel is compromised. I want to be a light and a blessing, not a Cretan.

The rest of the verse he says, "They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Very clear I think.

With His Grace, Pastor Fred

Tweet