Truth Still Matters

Truth still matters. I’ve been thinking about this after a discussion we had in the adult Sunday School class about some of the teaching in the book of Titus. My observation is that we live in a time when deception is not only rampant, but is becoming harder and harder to discern. One example I used was the text and phone calls we get regularly that say one thing, but are actually intended to cheat us out of money. For example, the text that may look like it’s from the postal service and says, “We couldn’t deliver your package. Click here to give your information so we can finish the delivery.” Or the phone call that may sound like someone from your own family who is in need of help.

Deception can harm us financially, if we aren’t careful, but Paul says that spiritual harm can be done by falsehood. For example in Titus 1:10-11, Paul writes to Titus:

“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching thing they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” (NIV)

Paul is dealing with the issue of those who are saying that people must convert to Judaism before they can follow Jesus. That’s what he means by “the circumcision group” here. While the issues have changed, the importance of seeking and teaching truth hasn’t. This is why we want to always be people who focus on what God has said to us through the Scriptures. We also strive to be people who can be trusted to speak the truth.

Take some time to invite a few people to our worship service next Sunday. Then we’ll see how a Church in Action should be known for “Ministering Faithfully,” as we look at the last part of 2 Corinthians 2 and the first part of 2 Corinthians 3. The week following that the subject of truth will be coming up again as we look at 2 Corinthians 4 to see how the Church should be “Speaking Truthfully.” Hope to see you there!

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday

2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6—How does Paul describe what ministering is like?

1 Kings 9:9-18—What did ministering faithfully mean in Elijah’s case?

Acts 19:21-32—How would you have responded if you’d been a Christian in Ephesus?

1 Timothy 4:1-6—What does Paul call Timothy to do in his ministry?