Good morning! It’s Wednesday, June 29th, 2022. Paul was an equal opportunity offender! He minced no words and told it straight, no beating around the bush. He quotes a prophet who spoke deprecating words about the people from the island of Crete. Paul, the great apostle, steps in, and instead of softening the blow, he pours salt into the wound. Ever need a good “come to Jesus talk?” We all do, from time to time. It might be today! Read on …
Today's Reading:
Amos 4,5,6; Psalms 86,87; Titus 1
Scripture
“One of themselves, a prophet of their own said — ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons! This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in faith.” (Titus 1:12-13)
Observation
Such caustic words, and like bitter acid, this scathing evaluation was hard to swallow. You’d think that if the owner of this criticism were “one of themselves, a prophet of their own,” he at least could have used kinder words like: “Cretans are still learning to follow through with what they say … they can sometimes procrastinate and be a bit laid back.” This prophet could have hosted a talk show called “Politically Incorrect.” But Paul’s response baffles me even more. He hardly notices the prophet’s scalding tongue. Paul doesn’t even let the smoke clear before adding more fuel to the fire. He’s less concerned with the delivery system and zeroes in on the truth of what is being delivered.
Application
This is such a vibrant lesson! We can easily focus on the packaging rather than on what’s inside. We live in a politically correct world where the natural reaction should have resulted in an all-out fight between Paul and this scathing prophet. But instead, Paul searches for and emphasizes the truth, applies it, and is better because of it!
Our current society is more enamored by fancy delivery systems than content. For example, TV programs can be void of actual substance, yet command the attention of millions of viewers. Or Playboy presents images of young vixens and buxom queens void of character and morals, yet the alluring delivery systems make them hard to ignore.
There will be many times when the truth will be delivered in disguise. It will come wrapped in struggle paper, but the wonderful challenge is to look past the deliverer to what is being delivered. Therefore, I must emphasize truth and discard the packaging … lest I keep the velvet-lined box and throw away the diamond.
Prayer
Father, this is such a good lesson for me. It is a leadership lesson I am still learning, but identifying this helps me to accelerate my growth. How grateful I am!
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