Setting the churches in order with leaders who live and breathe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Titus 1:5-9

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“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— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.” Titus 1:5-6

The Church in Crete was in such disarray that Paul left Titus there to set things in order by filling in for the things that were lacking within those saying they were living for Jesus Christ. Titus was to send to each city a leader experienced in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, living in the Holy Spirit, and faithful to God. The leader over other believers was to be blameless in living by the mercy, grace, and love of our Lord Jesus, understanding that God came to save life by the remission of sin through Jesus Christ, an understanding that grace was not a license to exalt the flesh over the Spirit, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” Romans 6:15

The Church in Crete was indulging in sexual promiscuity to the point of neglecting the Salvation they received by being born-again in the spirit. This led Paul to have Titus to appoint leaders in every city that was the husband of one wife, as an example of having one sexual partner and being married to Jesus Christ, and not to be promiscuous and led astray with false teachings.

Having “faithful children” refers to the leaders of the Churches raising born-again people in the Christian life. As we know, the natural born children of parents, who are rebellious against Jesus Christ, have nothing to do with the upstanding faith of the parents. As Jesus Christ Himself said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:48-50

The “children”, or congregation, in the Churches of Crete had a reputation of dissipation and insubordination. They were insubordinate to the teaching of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Paul, and would not devote themselves to a life in the Holy Spirit. They needed new leadership, a new shepherd to lead them in the way of Christ. Their dissipation included sexual immorality, drunkenness, squandering money and resources, and basically corrupting and destroying the foundation of the Church. The Churches of Crete became a “Prodigal Son” as described by Jesus in Luke 15:11-32 and Titus was the Shepherd to lead them back into the fold.

“For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled…” Titus 1:7-8

As this verse says, the leader of every Church was to show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their life. They were to be good stewards of resources [not greedy] and good stewards over the family of Jesus Christ, to shine with humility, peace, meekness, love, kindness, goodwill, goodness, joy, faith, patience, self-control, perseverance, sobriety, and overall Holiness.

“…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 1:9

The leader of every Church was to hold to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by Paul, and not to be deceived by false doctrines, smooth words, and flattery. In holding to the sword of the Spirit [the word of God], they would be grounded in sound doctrine and able to encourage others to live in the Spirit and to convict those who contradict the children of God by enticing with fleshly/worldly living.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11