Holding fast to the Word - and obeying it

 

Remember our focus verse?

holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9, NIV)

You know from past experience that I like to compare translations; here is one that really gives some assistance in understanding this verse fully:

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word [of God] as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound [reliable, error-free] doctrine and to refute those who contradict [it by explaining their error]. (AMP)

"Holding fast," in some translations, and "hold firmly," in these two, means to hold tightly, to cling to, or to be devoted to. Today we might say that the elder should have firm "convictions." How does the man of God (or the woman of God) gain those convictions? First, by studying and learning the great doctrines of our faith. Applying oneself to the study of God's Word. The more we study, the more we will appreciate how God showed us His grace through Jesus Christ. And the more we study, the more we will understand why these "building blocks" of our faith are SO essential! 

When we study God's Word, it becomes easier to understand how the enemy has subtly introduced ideas that are destructive to our faith and our holy living. We can see in the New Testament, and in other books as well, how errors in doctrine have damaged people's lives and their ability to witness for Christ. It's really inspiring, too, to study men and women who have been willing to die rather than deny God's truth. This strengthens our own convictions to stand strong in the face of pressure to compromise.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a book that can be as inspiring as it is terrible. It tells the stories of men, women, and children who refused to deny the gospel. Some were tortured and some died. Remember Pilgrim's Progress? Did you ever read it? The author, John Bunyan, spent twelve years in jail -- he refused to stop preaching without the "license" the authorities said was mandatory. Athanasius was forced into exile seven different times and spent seventeen years in jail, in the era of the 300's AD. He stood firm in his defense of the deity of our Savior. 

Contending for the faith is important. We must be firm on the essentials, but we need wisdom and discernment about where and when to defend the doctrines we believe in. There are some foundational doctrines that we cannot deny, or we are not believers. This is not all, but some examples are: the Trinity, the Sonship and sinless nature of Jesus Christ, His redeeming us on the cross, His coming again, and more. These have huge implications if we decide to ignore or reject them. 

When we contend for the faith, we must do it with love. We absolutely cannot love controversy, or love the feeling of "Yay, I am winning an argument!" but instead, love God and His truth. And we must love people, including those who are in error. Try to pray with them and read the Bible with them, to help them understand God's truths.

Alongside the need for elders to be men of biblical understanding and able to contend for the faith, is the need for them to be biblically obedient. They would be hypocrites if they exhorted people to follow God's Word, and then didn't follow it themselves! Elders must provide good examples, not be like the false teachers:

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16, NIV)

Of course, no one mortal lives in a state of sinlessness. No one of us is perfect. But the elders must be "above reproach" as Paul said. They cannot have secret sins, nor be living a double life. He cannot be a loving guy at church and an ogre at home. 

Once again, we are looking at qualifications for elders that are traits we, too, should strive for.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, (II Timothy 2:24-25, NIV)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind......Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  (I Peter 2:1,16)