New Thoughts (10/22/03-10/25/03)
It may be that Paul's request of Titus in the last verse turns his thoughts back to a prior instruction, or it may be that his thoughts have never left that instruction. That he comes back to it, though, indicates the importance of it in his thinking. He has given Titus an instruction by which he may be an example of this core quality of Christianity, having also instructed Titus to live out the example for those he served. Now, he turns back to the church, pointing out to Titus the connection between his instruction and his request. As you provide for the needs of these two, it will serve as an example by which the rest of the church can learn to do good deeds, to meet the needs of others, as well.
This word, which the NASB translates as 'engage,' is also found translated as 'maintain,' 'be devoted to,' 'to be leading in,' 'to apply oneself to,' and 'to spend one's time.' The variety of translations suggests the variety of meaning this word can take on. To my mind, the 'engage' of the NASB, as much as I like that translation, fails to bring out the level of effort called for. The verb is used in the present infinitive, which adds to it the significance of being a continuous, repeated action. I have so recently completed a study on admonition, a word which bore in itself this sense of constant repetition. Here, it is not so much the word itself, as the tense in which it is used that gives us this sense. With that in mind, the idea of devotion to the task comes closest to getting the idea across, but I also like the idea of becoming a leader in the doing of good. After all, why do we practice a skill, if not to sharpen that skill, to seek to become preeminent in that skill.
A serious musician will spend hours every day practicing with his instrument. This is not because such practice is necessary for him to perform. It is not that he is untalented, and must somehow bring himself up to a minimum level competence. It is because he knows that, however advanced his skills may be, there's more that could be his. However good his playing may be, there's always going to be another he has heard who is better, another whose talents stand as a goal for his own.
It ought to be so, Paul is indicating, when it comes to the Christian and good works. Good works are an instrument every one of us should be not only familiar with playing, but highly skilled at playing. The doing of good, be it for the brethren in the body, or for the neighbor who has yet to know Christ, should be raised to an art form in us. For this to be so, it must be not just a habit, but a skill that we practice daily, a skill that we seek to improve upon with every opportunity that presents itself. Without the poisoning presence of pride, we ought still to be seeking to be the best in this skill, we should seek to excel all others. Yet, like the musician, we will ever be aware of at least one who is more skilled than we. This must not be a cause for jealousy in us, but a reason to try all the harder. If none other, we will have our Lord and Savior as a model to strive for. Indeed, it is for the best that we start with our eyes on Him as the model, for this will be our best guard against any influence of pride or jealousy. This will also assure that we have not set our sights too low, that the goal towards which we strive is one worthy of our efforts, one that will stretch and strengthen our skills, and not be simple rote exercise for us.
With that in mind, I was also struck by the combined impact of the parallel verses that accompany this passage, although in considering them, I'd like to rearrange the order a bit, beginning with those that communicate the instruction. Titus 3:8, the verse which this present passage echoes, gives as high doctrine, as it were, the thought that believers should occupy their time in doing good works, which will benefit those for whom they do them, and will also benefit their own spiritual welfare. The same thought is found in Romans 12:13, where Paul instructs the church to provide for the needs of the saints, to 'practice hospitality.' It's the same idea. What we see, then, in these three verses is a general instruction given in Titus 3:8, and two specific applications given in the end of Titus, and in the verse from Romans. In Romans, Paul offers an example of doing good for the one who comes to visit, indeed suggests we ought to be proactive in inviting visitors into our homes, and not just provide for those that happen to come to our door. Don't wait for somebody to come and declare his need, seek out the need and the opportunity to fill it! Here, Paul shows that even when the visit has come to an end, the opportunity to practice doing good has not. As they depart, we are again given an opportunity to be proactive. Don't settle for wishing them Godspeed on their journey. Don't settle for passive, saintly prayers. Don't neglect these, by any means, for they are also of great benefit, and should probably seen as good deeds in themselves. But remember that Scripture urges us to active love. If we see a brother in need, and pray for him without providing for his need, what good have we done him? We have artificially soothed our own conscience, but done nothing to change the situation. The call here is for action. Don't just wish them well, do what is in your power to secure a good outcome for them. You know their needs, the expenses and dangers associated with travel. So give from your stores to cover their expenses. If the road they take is dangerous, send with them those who can serve to protect them. Inasmuch as it is in your power to do so, be their insurance, be an instrument in the hands of the God you serve.
But, why is this so important? We know God will provide. We know, also, that almsgiving was a matter important to the Jew, a work by which they thought to reach heaven. Is that all this is, then, a remnant of Paul's past training which he seeks to bring into the church? No, it's far more than that. As was seen back in v2:8, one reason for this is to take away any reason people might have to speak badly of us. Think about it, when we know of somebody who is constantly giving themselves to the task of helping others, when we hear of one who has done a particularly good deed, we never react by badmouthing them. Unless we are particularly dark in our own thinking, it's unlikely that we will even consider being suspicious of their motivation. If anything, we may find ourselves shamed by comparison to them, especially if they are unbelievers and we are of Christ.
Indeed, we should be shamed by the comparison. We, above all people, have a reason to be doing good for our neighbors. We have the command of Christ that this is what we ought to do. We have the mission of making Him known through the changed nature of our lives. If there is no evidence that we have changed, and clearly changed for the better, if all we have to show for our faith is words and grand ideas, why should anybody be interested in what we have?
In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul offers up a prayer on behalf of the church there. He prays that love might abound in them, as well as real knowledge, and true discernment. He prays that the church would give its approval only to things excellent, that they would remain sincere and blameless to the end. He then ends the prayer by pointing out to them what is theirs and why it is given them. They have been filled with righteous fruit through Christ Jesus. It is theirs. He has done it. This is no longer praying that God would, it is reminding them that He already has. Why? Why this attention to fruitfulness? Because this is what brings glory to God. This is what causes people to praise His name. It is that fact that people like you and I, though we used to be people like you and I were, are now people like you and I are! Oh, what a change in my life!
Now, I want to point out something before we leave this passage. Paul does not tell us it's all about action, here. He does not tell us it's all about emotion and experience, either. His is a balanced doctrine. The action must be there. Faith without works is a dead faith. The emotions cannot help but be involved in this. Love is, after all, an emotion, and Love has come. We cannot possibly love our neighbor as ourselves and not know that emotional connection. Furthermore, how can there not be issues of experience? We are called to walk with the Father. We are called to do 'greater things than these.' If there is no experience, there is no reality. This is exactly what these good works are, the experience of the change in us. But, it is not these alone. Paul is also very clear that there is real knowledge involved. This will require real study, even with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it's going to require real study, with His real discernment, to know the Truth. God does not suffer fools gladly. He does not speak well of the lazy. Certainly, all the study of which man is capable will amount to nothing without His influence to open up our understanding of things spiritual, but He's not inclined to simply pour in 'instant education.'
Paul makes this point to the Colossians. I have been learning somewhat of the background of that church in recent months, listening to tapes sent out by R.C. Sproul. He points out that the church in that place was dealing with issues of Gnosticism, of 'special knowledge.' There were teachings running around of a 'spiritual elite,' a second blessing, as it were, and it was this issue that Paul was dealing with. Again, we find the answer in Paul's prayer for them. He prays (Col 1:9-10) that they would be filled with His knowledge, understanding His will, and speaking from His perfect wisdom in things spiritual. The mind is thoroughly covered by Paul's prayer, but he again makes plain that this isn't about the mind alone. It's not just neat ideas and clever thoughts. No, it is knowledge with purpose, to show us how we can live our lives in a manner worthy of the One who saved us. It is understanding what pleases our God, and what does not, and the wisdom to always pursue the former. It is so that we can 'bear fruit in every good work and increase in knowledge of God.' Both are important. The one displays the other, and the other increases our desire and ability to do the one.
Learning about who our God is, we learn what pleases God. Loving Him who first loved us, we cannot help but want to do what pleases Him. What pleases Him is what brings glory to Him, what makes His name known to men. Note well that in making His name known, we are considering something far greater than simply declaring that Jesus was God, although that message is wonderful indeed! What we are supposed to do in making His name known is to make His character known, to display by our words and deeds what He whose children we are is like.
Neither is this some Pauline insertion into Christian doctrine, as some might have us to believe. The message is the same from our Lord Jesus, indeed, even more plainly given. In the Gospel of John, we hear this from our Christ: "You didn't choose Me, I chose you (Jn 15:16). You didn't decide that I was the one you should follow, I called you out, insisted that you come with Me. [Here's the point] I appointed you! I commissioned you, and gave you a purpose - go bear fruit, fruit that will stand the test of time." Do you hear the echo of the command to Adam in this? Go forth and multiply. You have knowledge, but knowledge with a purpose, the purpose of being fruitful as you were appointed to do. To that end, you have also been granted that what is asked of the Father in the name of the Christ (according to His character and example), our loving Father will surely give to you.
But, hear from Matthew the danger of empty knowledge. Recalling Jesus' message that we were appointed to bear fruit, look at Matthew 7:19 - If the tree doesn't bear fruit, it is cut down and burned! You have been planted, a seed sown at His own command, appointed to grow in this place and time. You have been watered by the Word of God, by the Holy Spirit. You have been given all the wisdom and knowledge you need to grow in Him. If it is more than just words and ideas, though, if it is real, it must bear fruit in us. There must come action, external display of Him who is internal to us. The ideas must lead to works.
This is not the old conception that somehow if we do enough good things it will somehow balance out the bad things we have done. It is nothing that would even think to make God love us. There's no longer a need for that. He already loves us! He already has our love! There's really nothing left to prove to Him. He already knows, knew it long before we did. What remains is gratefulness. What remains is that very love that no longer needs proving. It simply is, and it cannot help but do the things of love. So much love do we have from our Father that it cannot help but overflow from us. It's like a permanent state of infatuation, only better. Knowing the love of our Father, the whole world around us just seems a little more loveable.
Do you remember how it was when you fell in love? Do you remember, those of you who are married, how you felt when you were first engaged? There was nothing that love could not overcome at that point! There was nothing that could get you down. There wasn't even anything ugly anymore, and things that were beautiful before had suddenly become stunning in your eyes. Everything was seen through the love you had discovered for your espoused, and the love you had found coming back in equal measure from your beloved. This is but the slightest reflection of what ought to be the reality of our walk with Christ! Everything should be seen through the lens of our love for Him. Everything should be seen through the realization of His love for us. Knowing His great love, we see those around us as objects of the love of Him who loves us, and therefore objects of our love as well, because He loves them. What He cares about becomes our concern, and we will gladly do what we can to see His concerns cared for.
There is something which Matthew Henry notes in regard to this which is worth a great deal of meditative thought. He points out that it is not enough for us to refrain from doing harm. The call is not simply to cease from doing evil, but to become proactive in doing good. This accords well with the understanding we should have of the second table of the Law. It is the underlying thought behind all God's instruction regarding our dealings with our fellow man. First, refrain from taking any action that would wrong him, but don't stop there. Seek out the ways you can help him. The Wycliffe commentators, returning to the word 'engage,' point out that we are intended to be the leaders in doing good works, we should excel in it. We should not find ourselves constantly being ashamed when we consider the doings of those outside the body. When an unbeliever does something praiseworthy - and it most assuredly does happen - we really shouldn't be struck by the act. There oughtn't be any sort of 'why didn't I think to do that' reaction in us. Although it may sound somewhat prideful, we really should be able to see our own actions, and find them better, of greater benefit to the hurting.
We should excel. This is what brings glory to God. Harangues against the sinner are useful, and they may even cause some to glorify God, but when the Christian reaches out to help, when he offers real, substantive aid in addition to his prayers, God will be shown to be more than a concept, more than an imagination or myth. He will be glorified by our lives as our lives more reflect His life. It really is that simple. We are children of the Father. Every good gift, every perfect thing, comes from Him. That remains true whether the gift is delivered through the hands of His children or the hands of strangers. If the unbeliever is able to do good to his neighbor, it is still by God's power, though he will not - indeed cannot - acknowledge it. If this is what it takes for God to do good, He'll do it, yet in having to resort to this avenue, He is robbed of the glory that ought to come to Him. He is not robbed by the unbeliever, though, except inasmuch as he may accept the credit for his deed. No, it is we who rob God by failing to be in position to do what we were called to do. Because we were unprepared for the deed God prepared for us, it was necessary to accomplish the deed by other means. Because we refused our task, He was refused the glory which was His due.
The message is clear enough: you serve a most wonderful Father. Show yourself to be His children by giving as He gives. He has given you every good and perfect gift. He has provided your need and He has provided your desire. He has given with such abundance that you cannot hold it in. He has given to the point of overflow. What are you doing with that overflow? Are you trying to find someplace to store it in case God changes His mind? Shame! That is faith in action, that's the world pretending to faith. No, He gives you overflow for a reason, that your overflow may be His gift to another in need. Don't wait for such an opportunity! This is also part of the word we have been given. Don't just wait for opportunity, seek opportunity out! Be on the hunt for it! Some hunt for bargains, some hunt for handouts, the infamous free lunch. We are called to something different, something far greater. We are called to be on the hunt for needs, needs we can, and ought to feel compelled to, fill thanks to the blessings of our great and awesome God.
One final thought, returning to the balance Paul teaches between study and action. There was something said in the footnotes of Calvin's commentary which speaks once more to that point. It is a warning to the intellectual side of me. Study is a fine thing. Indeed, it is called for in this Christian walk. It is necessary to our spiritual health. But, study is only useful if it produces change in us. It is only useful if by our studies we develop a life devoted to doing good for others. Anything less than this should be a warning to us that our study is no study at all, but simply a feeding of our own ambition, a playing to our own vain imaginations. If there is not a reality, a physical evidence of the results of study, then study is not study at all. We have merely been giving ourselves false comfort, distracting our conscience by empty works, and refusing the real and substantive works which God has been setting before us.
Yes, Lord, as I said, this stands out as a warning for one such as I. You know me well. You know that so much of me is wrapped up in the thinking. It is the action, though which is harder, isn't it? Holy Spirit, if I've been missing it, then wake me up! Open my eyes to see the good I should be about. Father, if I've made these times of study the whole of the matter, forgive me. I know it cannot be just this time in the morning. There's so much more. You have prepared me for something. You continue to prepare me for something. What is it these eyes are not seeing? What is it You would have me to do? Show me that I may set my hand to it. Don't let me be insensitive to the opportunities abounding in each day to glorify You in the good I can do for another. Jesus, let me be like You. Increase the care and the compassion in this heart of mine. Give me balance between the life of the head and the life of the heart.
