Psalm 66, 67, 116, 117
1 Samuel 2:1b-10
Titus 2:1-10
Luke 1:26-38
The epistle today brings us a challenge. We are instructed
to “teach what is consistent with sound doctrine,” but the writer does not tell
us just what sound doctrine is. He lists some specific behaviors for people of
different ages and at different stages of their lives, but he never gives us
the foundation that is the sound doctrine.
Paul’s letter to Titus came in a time when many false
disciples were spreading their version of the Gospel rather than the true
teachings of Christ. Paul counted on the Titus and the others knowing the real
Gospel of Christ and sticking to it despite hearing misleading messages.
So it continues with us today. Every religious leader is
going to proclaim his teachings to be the sound doctrine, yet more and more
messages diverge from the complete teaching of God. The verses here have been taken out of
context to demand subservience of women and uphold the institution of slavery.
This is exactly what Paul warned about. He lists some of the expected behaviors
while expecting us to be scholars of the entire Word.
We cannot afford to take any verses out of context without
understanding how they fit in the completion of the message that is the Bible.
Extremes on both ends of the Christian spectrum assume their favorite verses sum
up everything, but they never do. As we approach the coming of Christ in the
Christmas season, we must open our heart to the fullness of his teaching and
then be prepared to act on it.
No comments:
Post a Comment