Professing Christ
by PJ Salas
ʺTo the pure all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and unbelieving nothing is pure; indeed their minds are corrupted. They profess to know God, but by their actions, they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.ʺ
Titus1:15,16.
Disingenuous
Reading Titus chapter one, verses fifteen and sixteen, at first, they appear to be addressing non-Christians, people who do not follow Jesus. However, reading further, quickly you notice they are indeed addressing those who do not follow Jesus; but, they are professing Christians. The verses are referencing people who say they are Christian, but they are not genuine Christians.
Disobedient
Titus chapter one, verses fifteen and sixteen are a solemn proclamation describing those who profess to know God, but in reality they live contrary to Him, their lives deny the Lord. These verses tell us that those who are disobedient to God and His Word have their conscience filled with fallacious reasoning. They are abominable and unfit for the kingdom of God, never improving personally, nor doing good for others.
The gospel is all about changing us for the better, and helping others to change in Jesus. Professing to know God, but denying Him through a life of disobedience is a very dangerous place to be.
Carefulness
We need to be careful to rely on Jesus, to have complete faith and confidence in Him, living in accordance with all of God’s Word. Furthermore, why would we not want to live a victorious life of overcoming sins, and living in the light of God’s love?
Empowered to Obey
Jesus has given us His Spirit to empower us to live a good and right life. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ enables us to help others find His path, that all lives may be improved in Jesus. (1Thes1:5;Eph3:16). The gospel of peace is for the betterment of all people. God’s gospel is active, constantly working in our lives, moving us to help others find their way in Christ.
Jesus empowers us. He enables us in right thinking and upright living. Through Christ (Php4:13) we become pure by the power of His Spirit. We walk in obedience to the law of God, in obedience to His Word, doing things God’s way, and not our way.
Good News
The good news of Jesus Christ is the gospel of peace, living a life that brings glory to God, good to others, and personal improvement continually. We want to walk the walk, not just talking the talk.
It is to our advantage that we walk with Jesus in obedience through His Spirit, by His grace. By faith, we overcome. By faith, we are victorious. Trusting Jesus, believing He will do as He promises increases our confidence, and produces in us a good character that through good works benefits others, as well as ourselves. This is good news.
Be Sincere
In these days of anything goes, sinful living is a normal way of life. Be a careful and sincere Christian. Walk in the will and ways of the Almighty. In all things, look to Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. (He12:2)
Be a victorious, overcoming Christian, who by faith has victory over all sin, in all the moments of your life. Choose to believe. Be sincere. Choose Jesus. Live aright through Christ. We can do all things through Jesus, who strengthens us. (Php4:13)
Choose to be a believer who does what is right, who lives a good and wholesome life through faith in Jesus. This is what truly makes us happy, filling us with joyfulness and peace.
ʺwhoever is born of God overcomes the world; and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith.ʺ 1Jn5:4.
