Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Titus 1:5-9
by: Susan Bond.
This list of expectations reminds me of the United States Marine Corps’ search for a “few good men.” I also think of Christ’s own “few” who followed him closely for three years but, at the time of the most severe testing, discovered that “the spirit …is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, KJV).
Paul does not give these instructions without the tools to carry them out. Just as the Marine Corps strips its recruits of all but their “piece” (weapon), Paul orders that leaders let go of all fleshly behaviors but “[hold] fast the faithful word” (v. 9, KJV). It’s the word that wins victory (Revelation 12:11). For more on this, I recommend Flesh, You’re Fired by Gregory Dickow.