March 15, 2022 -- Titus 1:9 -- Holding Tightly to the Word
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Titus 1:9 ESV
Recently I have been reading a book recommended by a colleague. I have been going through it at an intentionally slow pace, in order to reflect on it as I read and to savor each page. The paragraph of explanation and application printed below is a direct quotation. It is unusually long for this brief devotion, but it is so captivating and worth mulling over. May it bless you.
It is, somewhere, justly remarked, by one of the most eloquent
of living preachers (Dr. Chalmers) that, of all kinds of truth, the
pure gospel of Jesus Christ is precisely that, and that alone for
which there is no natural demand among men. All other kinds
of truth are called for, even by unsanctified minds. Literary truth;
philosophical truth; commercial truth; mechanical truth;—for all
these there is a steady, and growing demand, as population
becomes more extended and active; because for all of them,
there is, among the diversified classes of society, a deep-seated,
natural taste. But with regards to the most precious of all truth -
that which relates to God, and the way of salvation, there is no
natural demand among the mass of mankind.
THE PASTOR: HIS CALL, CHARACTER, AND WORK. Chapter 7. Holding Fast the Faithful Word, Samuel Miller, Aug. 26, 1829. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST. 2020, page 141
Yesterday I was listening to a podcast. There was a panel of well-known theologians and the audience was asking them a series of questions. Sinclair Ferguson was on the panel and in answer to a question (I don’t remember the question), he noted in reply, one of the Puritan writers used to say a believer sinned if he did not, in his heart and thoughts, long for the return of Jesus every day. I thought to myself, what a powerful image that is of a man holding firmly to the Word, grasping its implications and living it out, not merely as fact, but as a relationship with the Blessed God, Who is, forever more to be praised.
Our Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thank You for sending Him as the radiance of Your glory. Spirit of the Living God, awaken the minds of believers to be so captivated by Jesus that He is our best thought by day or by night; Spirit, stir our hearts so that Jesus is our deepest desire and our every longing will be centred on Him. God of Splendour and Majesty, may the word, so lived out in our thoughts and hearts, become so vibrant in us, it draws out curiosity from our family and peers such that they will ask to know Jesus. Amen.
https://youtu.be/RRbK4HG22WU
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