What happened to the morals of society?

  Society is out of control, drowning in violence. Many people have become addicted to violence. It would seem that everywhere you turn there are new and creative ways to inflict pain on each other. The world is filled with wars and fighting. As a matter of fact cruelty is a form of entertainment. Truth has given way to “Spin.” Dishonesty is the norm. Corporate greed is at an all time high. A good positive work ethic is all but gone. And don’t even get me started about laziness and gluttony.

   You may be interested to find out that I am not talking about modern times but I am referring to the island of Crete about 2000 years ago. Yes, I used terms that are a little more modern than Paul used in Titus 1:12

   “For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons.” Titus 1:10-12

   Now I don’t blame you if you thought that I was talking about modern society. There are a lot of similarities between ancient Crete and modern America. We have government officials embellishing the truth (spin) to make themselves look good in the eyes of the voting public. As a matter of fact we are so used to politicians spinning the truth that we’ve just come to expect it. There are even several new TV shows featuring mixed martial arts or cage fighting that is designed to fulfill the bloodlust of modern man. And, yes, satisfying our gluttonous desires is a bazillion dollar industry.

   The letter Paul wrote to Titus is as relevant to us today as it was to Titus when Paul wrote it. In a nutshell Titus is a letter about how Godly people and a Godly church are to act in an ungodly world. In the 3rd chapter Paul told Titus:

   “Remind believers to submit themselves to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. They are not to insult anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and show perfect courtesy to everyone. After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled.” Titus 3:1-3

   Ask Yourself:
- When the world looks at our congregation do they see a church that is “Ready to do any honorable kind of work?”
Or maybe we should ask ourselves:
- When the world looks at me do they see that I am “Ready to do any honorable kind of work?”
- Do they see the godly traits that we see outlined in this letter or do they see a reflection of today’s society?

   We are the church. You and I make up the congregation and WE should be “Ready to do any honorable kind of work.”

   I encourage each of you to read through Titus. It is just 3 short chapters. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how relevant this letter is to us today as it was 2000 years ago.

--Keith Fowler