Today’s Passage: Titus 1:1-9
To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. ~ Titus 1:4-5
Paul wanted to talk to his guy, Titus, and he introduced him the same way and with the same blessings as he did for Timothy (You can check out the post on Blessings of a True Son for more on this). Titus was a true son in the faith. Not a biological son, but a spiritual son.
- You must remember that the New Testament ministry is supposed to be a ministry of Sons and Daughters (Malachi 4:5-6; Acts 2:17).
- God expects fathers and mothers in the faith to develop a heart for the children and raise up sons and daughters in the faith.
- Tell me, do you have a spiritual father or mother you are submitted to? Will they be able to call you a true son/daughter in the faith?
- This also means that you and I must win souls and disciple them. Tell us, can somebody also call you their spiritual father or mother?
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. ~ Titus 1:5
One common trait we see between Titus and Timothy – both of whom were true sons to Apostle Paul – was that Paul could send them on an assignment with instructions and commands (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:3-5).
- A true son / daughter can be sent, instructed, and commanded by their father / mother.
- Can God send, instruct, and command you? Can the spiritual parent(s) God has given you do same?
- May the Lord grant us the grace and the humble heart to be true sons and daughters.
"For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered... holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." ~ Titus 1:7-9
From verses 5-9 Paul briefly describes some qualifications that leaders should have. Notice that Paul had given Timothy a similar set of instructions for the church in Ephesus (You can check out the 1 Timothy 3 post on Ministry Essentials).
- Notice also that most of the qualifications involve character, not knowledge or skill.
- A person’s lifestyle and relationships provide a window into his or her character.
- Assignment: Can you evaluate yourself with these qualifications and see if you qualify to be a leader in the Kingdom? (according to Apostle Paul). Which areas do you need to develop?
One key qualification is that a leader must not only effectively teach God’s Word, but also live what they teach and be examples for others to follow. He or she is a steward!
A Leader Is A Steward of God
Every leader is a steward who will give an account for what he or she is doing. Are you ready to account to God for the sheep and responsibilities He gives you? Jesus kept on saying that He had lost none of the sheep God had given him except the son of perdition (John 17:12).
- Paul kept saying that he would have to give account (Romans 14:12, 1 Corinthians 4:4).
- These were leaders who were constantly thinking about the day of accountability.
- Leadership is a great responsibility, and you will be required to give accounts!
Some years ago, several Ghanaian heads of state and ministers were executed by a firing squad. It was pathetic to see important people being humiliated and murdered. Most ordinary citizens did not receive such treatment.
- This is because most ordinary men had not taken up the responsibility of ruling the country.
- However, those who had taken up the responsibility of leadership had to pay dearly with their lives (NB: we are not condoning the act of the firing squad).
If you are constantly reminded that you will account for your leadership, you will become a better leader. Always remember that the day of accountability is coming. This will make you do the right thing.
- Both with AWG and at my local church, we try to be constantly aware that we will have to account to God for the souls and the ministry.
- I know that I will have to account for the people God brings to my care.
- This is why we make great efforts to look after them and care for their souls. I pray that you will join in this great work for the Lord.
Are you constantly thinking of your day of accountability? Please do! It is the key to the greatest inner motivation. It will help you to remain faithful to your responsibilities. Pray for grace to be a true son/daughter to God and to the parents He gives you; pray also that you will be a faithful steward.
Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved!
☆ IG/X/FB: @awg_devotional
Disclaimer: this post contains portions of messages and text originally shared by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills (who is one of my mentors in the faith).