GODLINESS PT.3~WORKING TOGETHER WITH GOD
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Tit 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
Tit 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Paul left his “son” in the faith Titus in Crete so that Titus could “set in order the things that are wanting” concerning the “truth which is after godliness.” Not only was it Paul’s desire to “ordain elders” in sound doctrine; but it was God the Father’s desire and design as well. Paul says that now God is manifesting His word “through preaching,” this is different in how He manifested His word before, this is the purpose He needed faithful men to be ordained in “every city” to manifest His word of truth. Prior to this God manifested His word through signs and wonders and through prophecy and in due time God “committed” unto Paul His design to “manifest” His word, this was a “commandment of God” to change the way He manifested His word. Because God made a change in how His word was given to man, Satan changed the way he attacked God’s word of truth. Throughout the ‘pastoral epistles’ Paul warns of the attack that Satan has upon the word of truth, but he says that through “sound doctrine” Satan’s attempts to hinder the word will have no effect upon the saints.
1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
Today when a son has learned to think like God does, and to do things God’s way, he is ready to begin his education in learning how to work together with God in what He is doing. Paul knew Titus was a faithful son that would establish faithful men in Paul stead as if Paul was there establishing the saints himself. In Paul’s day there were ungodly men preaching the word of God, but because they were not “rightly dividing the word of truth,” their doctrine was not “of the truth which is after godliness.” These ungodly men thought they were doing the will of God in their ‘desire’ to teach God’s word, but because they were teaching God’s word the wrong way, they hindered the edification of the saints, and prevented the unsaved from hearing the gospel of their salvation, these men were preaching the wrong “faith.”
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Paul says these men have “swerved” away from the “faith,” they were not “holding faith,” in sound doctrine. Paul as our “chief” is an example how we ought to receive the proper establishment and edification where we could teach and establish others also. Timothy also was a faithful son, and Paul knew Timothy would give the saints “godly edifying” and equip the saints with the doctrine they needed to “war a good warfare” against Satan and his policy of evil.
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Today we also have the doctrine that we need to “war a good warfare” against all ungodly doctrine and ungodly men, but a bishop/pastor should meet specific qualifications when it comes to working together with God in what He is doing. Before a man gets the “desire” to teach, he must be taught the sound doctrine of Godliness, and when he gets to the stage in his sonship education where he has fully learned how to do things God’s way, he must first have the “desire” to be taught, and he must also “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” to take on the office of a “bishop” or “deacon.” Satan knows that a son at this stage in his sonship cannot be deceived to not think like God does, or to not do things God’s way; he knows the son fully understands and appreciates that part of his education. There is a warfare that the son faces when he reaches that certain stage in his sonship education, this is how Satan attacked Paul by trying to hinder the word of truth from being preached, or trying to cause divisions or confusion with God’s word, or by trying to cause fear or shame within the son. When a son is a “novice” (unlearned) he is an easy target for Satan, and the one thing that goes ‘hand in hand’ with “pride” is ignorance.
1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1Ti 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Throughout the Pastoral Epistles Paul exhorts Timothy and Titus to teach faithful men so they themselves can teach others, or to charge some that they teach no other doctrine. Paul stresses the issue of establishing faithful men so that they can work with the Father in what He is doing, also he makes Timothy and Titus aware of Satan and his minister’s attempts to work against God in what He is doing. The job of a “good minister of Jesus Christ” is to edify the brethren in the gospel that Paul preached, and follow his example in how he exercised himself unto godliness. As we advance through our education, the way we “exercise” ourselves in our walk has an effect upon this life, and in the life that is to come. Our Father has given us the privilege to “labor” with Him, and to “suffer for Christ’s sake,” and that not only has an effect upon our lives and others that “hear” us, but it has an impact in heavenly places before the angelic host.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1Ti 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
The “man of God” should follow after “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness,” but many preachers follow other men in being “proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness.” The designed way that the “man of God” should be taught is given throughout the Pastoral Epistles, but the natural man seeks after man’s designed way to pastor a church. As Paul makes known to Timothy the man of God that follows his design for edification will be engaged in a “war,” and we will “fight” against Satan and his minister’s plan to exalt themselves above the word of God.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
The apostle Paul tells Timothy that he also suffered the same things that Timothy suffered, but Paul’s motivation and reason for wanting to “partake of the afflictions” was because he was mindful of all the grace and mercy that God the Father has already done for him at the cross, and what He has promised He will do for him in Heavenly places.
2Ti 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2Ti 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Today when a son begins to labor with God in what He is doing, he will find himself in a battle against this world’s system of things and ungodly men. The ungodly man will confuse the “affairs of this life” with godliness, and he will promote these things as the will and the word of God. God our Father wants “faithful men” to establish and teach other men to the intent that they “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
2Ti 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The only way the “man of God” can preach godliness in truth is by “rightly dividing the word of truth,” that is the only way the “hearers” will spiritually “profit” from what he places his faith in. When the word of God is not “rightly divided,” the hearers of this doctrine “will increase unto more ungodliness,” and will be damaging to the hearers soul. The “man of God” today should be able to instruct “those that oppose themselves,” but this can only be done by a son who has fully learned the sound doctrine of godliness, and he is one that wants to work together with God in what he is doing. The son should glory in the opportunity that the Father has given him to labor together in the business with Him, and as ambassadors for Christ we share the gospel to not only the unsaved, but we should edify the saints who have not yet reached that point in their sonship education. So this begs the question; are you a Corinthian saint that was content in knowing that he was going to heaven, and he did not want the things that came along with being godly? Or are you as the Thessalonians and as Timothy and Titus were who wanted to be educated by the Father in His will, and wanted to suffer for His sake by working together with the Father in proclaiming sound doctrine? As a son “in Christ” are you more excited to be educated by your heavenly Father in His will, or do you get more excited with what this world has to offer on a daily basis; which has no eternal value towards your heavenly vocation at all?
Rod Jones