Professing God but Denying Him Titus 1:16 - Equipped for Battle

We have been discovering from Paul the apostle the requirements and qualifications that he has been sharing with Titus who is the pastor of an island called Crete. Along with these traits, Paul warns Titus that there are false prophets who pontificate certain Jewish fables and doctrines which are meant for nothing more than their personal profit by either position or monetary gain. Paul adds to his description of them in chapter one and verse sixteen where he wrote:

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

“Saying one thing and doing something completely opposite” seems to be the theme of Paul in this verse. There are many who “profess that they know God” but live completely different than what they say. It is not unusual to hear people say, “I know God”, but when their lives are examined, there is no proof that they do. There is no distinction between them and others who do not profess Jesus at all. Paul is warning Titus to look out for these “God professors”, and Titus is to determine by their actions their true beliefs.

Paul adds, “but in works they deny him”. What they do speaks so loudly that no one can hear a word they are saying. Those who have studied the scriptures for very long know that we are saved by grace, and that our works will never save us. However, our works are an outpouring of what we really believe, and when these false teachers were observed by Paul, he discovered that what they really believed was revealed by their actions. Titus was warned.

Paul continues, “being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” These of whom Paul wrote were detestable and non-compliant. They were as those not approved, unfit, and spurious. In other words when the true test of their relationship with God came along, they failed in every good work. There was no proof. It has been asked, “If they were put on trial for their faith in God would there be enough evidence to convict them?” These pernicious individuals loved the title and association with being ones who professed God, but they did not desire to live in a manner which corresponded to their profession.

So what about us? If we were to face examination for the way we live our lives would people say without a doubt their profession is confirmed by the way they live? Would they have enough evidence to prove us guilty of loving God? Would they find that we say one thing and do another? Maybe as we consider these who were false teachers in Paul's day we should take a look at our own lives to determine whether Paul would have been writing about us. May we all live according to our profession, and may we all come closer and closer in our relationship with the Heavenly Father.

Next time we will begin chapter two and discover what Paul desired for Titus to do, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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