Thursday, October 30, 2008

Why Should You Stay in Crete?

It is a good thing when a Christian wants to be a success for the Lord. Big crowds, large numbers of people saved, lots of lives changed for the better, etc., are good things to want. But many times, those same Christians don't want to pay the price for those things. They want to sit in leadership positions, ruling over the Christians whom God is using. Sometimes, they want to seize control of ministries that other Christians have built.

Crete was a rough place to serve God, but the apostle Paul left Titus there anyway. However, Paul explained to Titus why he needed to stay where he was:


Tit 1:5 ¶ For this reason I left you in Crete,

1) because Crete needs you
Titus 1:5 that you should set in order the things that are lacking,

2) because Cretans need you
Tit 1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."13 This testimony is true

3) because someone has to teach them God's Word
Tit 2:1 ¶ But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound
doctrine:

4) because someone has to give them a good example
Tit 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works

5) because God gave you enough grace to do the job
Tit 2:11-12 ¶ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

6) because Jesus is working in you to get the job done
Tit 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

If you're looking for an easy path to Christian leadership, you'll have to rely on backstabbing and politics. But if you want success, you'll have to pay a price.