Titus 1:15-16 And A Deleted Forum Post

Titus 1:15-16, And A Deleted Forum Post

 

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know GOD, but by deeds they deny, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. Titus 1:15-16.

 

This is posted amid great hurt and heart felt anguish. Strong words, but true nonetheless. Before and for GOD they are true. Any who may read this and do not as yet know The LORD will not be able to understand. But unfaithfulness and the hurt of and from it, many will understand.

 

I post this because of something which happened very recently, culminating yesterday, on a Christian group. To our shame, what I share here happened on a Christian group.

 

To those who may read and not understand, being a Christian does not mean that we will not make mistakes along the way. We most certainly will and do. But it is GOD’S Grace to the one who lives by faith in The SON Of GOD that there is Forgiveness By HIS Blood. For it is HIS Blood By Reason Of HIS Life Which makes reconciliation for sin; HE Is The Unblemished Sacrifice, Once For All. HE Is To all who will truly believe in HIM, their Redemption, and our Redemption Draws Near. This that we may know to experience the day by day renewing of our inner man; Conformed to The Image Of JESUS CHRIST, to The Glory Of GOD Through us; to die to sin and live to Righteousness.

 

This Is GOD’S Grace To all who will believe; to all who have faith to the Preserving of the soul.

 

Being a partaker of Grace means keeping oneself under and recognizing The Authority Of GOD; ultimately, not to deny HIM. Even when we stray, even when we stumble, GOD Gives repentance to the humble soul.

 

If we confess our sins, HE Is Faithful And Righteous To Forgive us our sins and to Cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make HIM a liar, and HIS Word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10.

 

The steps of a man are Established By The LORD ( John 3:3-8 ); and HE Delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; Because The LORD Is The ONE WHO Holds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24.

 

This is The Gospel Of JESUS CHRIST, WHO Is To all who obey HIM The Source Of Eternal Salvation ( Hebrews 5:9 ). The one who will do this ( obey HIM ) has truly confessed JESUS As LORD and believed in their heart that GOD Raised HIM from the dead ( Romans 10:4-15 ). And here, I am defending; upholding The Gospel.

 

There is a group, a Christian group here on chess.com that began in February of last year, and begun with a sole purpose of being a refuge for those who desired to seek The Living GOD with their whole heart, forsaking the ways and wisdom of men, forsaking the teachings of men, forsaking the doctrines and precepts of man; To grow in The Grace And Knowledge Of our LORD JESUS CHRIST To Eternal Life. Seeking to put to death the deeds of the body in The Knowledge that to GOD Belongs The Glory.

 

For we are ( to be ) HIS Workmanship, Created In CHRIST JESUS For good works, Which GOD Prepared Beforehand that we should walk in Them. Ephesians 2:10.

 

I was away from chess.com, through many struggles, for three and a half months, and when I came back things had changed in that there are posted on the forum page some things which were not of Sound Doctrine, but were of man and of no benefit to any in knowing to understand GOD’S Will, so that all may come to repentance and be Saved from The Wrath To Come.

 

Since the time of those who are known as ‘the early church fathers’ such things began to be introduced into The Church. Things not ordained By GOD. Sadly, few seem to recognize this. If any will deny this, then read The Holy Scriptures; The GOD Breathed Word; Spoken By GOD through man, penned by man for man, then look around at all the many differing things; precepts and understandings of Scripture, strange and varied teachings abounding in the world today and yet all professing to be Christianity.

 

Yet The Word Of GOD Tells us that this will indeed happen and was happening also in the days the Apostles Of our LORD JESUS CHRIST we read of and from in The Scriptures sojourned here in the world ( Acts 20:28-32, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Jude: 3-16 ).

 

On one forum post in particular I wrote, from The Word, to show error in what had been posted, and which was believed by those who were now in the position within the group, through my absence, to maintain what they themselves believe is of GOD and acceptable in matters Pertaining to GOD. I had hoped that The Pure Logic Of The Word would be heard, but what I posted was refused. Even though my argument was from The Word, and they in turn quoted a distortion of The Holy Scriptures ( and very little if any Scripture in the main ) in maintaining that this was, to them ( namely two ), acceptable and true.

 

The forum went on and I continued to show from The Word that there was indeed error in their belief and it was not of GOD as they believed and presumed that is was, and that such as this did not truly preach and teach JESUS CHRIST to any. It was not solely telling others of The Grace Of GOD In HIS SON, nor of conduct and the consequence of disobedience to true Christian conduct. This we all need to know, for this is of The Gospel.

 

Then through this whole unfortunate process the motivations and conditions of our hearts became apparent. I was accused in personal messages of leaving with no warning at all, was told I simply left, did not even ask for prayer nor saying I would be gone for a while, and coming back with a critical, disruptive, accusing and self-righteous spirit that was playing havoc with GOD’S Church as represented by the group. And that it needed to stop in JESUS’ Name. To this was then added that there was nothing unbiblical in the forum and what they had was beautiful fellowship with GOD and each other. That GOD’S Word had not been compromised.  

 

The whole point that I was merely trying to make from the first was that defending of The Gospel Of JESUS CHRIST is how GOD Defines is defending The Gospel, rather than what constitutes defense of The Gospel according to man’s idea of defense of it, and that there are not a select few with a certain title ( apologists ) who are appointed to do this. We, as followers Of CHRIST; Christians, are all Called to defend The Gospel by living it in word and deed, and to be ready to give an answer to any who will ask of The Hope that is in us; and our Hope Is CHRIST ( Colossians 1:27 ).

 

The problem was their sole reliance and literature in the forum was on and from an organization which uses ‘scientific evidence’ to ‘prove’ the existence of GOD. And this was their interpretation of defending The Gospel. This was the crux of their apologetics stance.

 

But as I pointed out, just as The Holy Scriptures State, it requires faith to believe. The wisdom of man cannot teach matters Pertaining to GOD. And to show scientific evidence of the stars and Creation does not preach The Gospel Of JESUS CHRIST. Preaching The Gospel Of JESUS CHRIST is preaching The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

 

“Go into all the world and preach The Gospel to all Creation. “He who has believed and has been Baptized shall be Saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. The Command Of JESUS CHRIST, Mark 16:15-16.

 

The point of this post here now is not so much the argument already here mentioned briefly, but is of the conduct that ensued and was not recognized. Yet the one who accused as he did in personal messages while not knowing any of the circumstances of my absence is the same one who publicly called me Brother, and spoke of Love.

 

This is the point of this posting.

 

This one is still maintaining that he was correct, and I felt with all that was going on in me that I had to turn away from them, and I left the group, also deleting the two who maintained the dissension from my friends list also. This was very hard to do, and before GOD I wish now that I had been the one removing them, in the hope they would see their error, and repent ( Titus 3:10-11 ).

 

Dissension; contention, strife, faction.

 

Here I include the last two postings of that forum. The first by the one who also groundlessly accused me of arrogance and of other things because of my stand on Scripture. The second is my reply to him, which was then deleted along with the whole forum just minutes after I posted it.

 

I have not named any names, but they will know who they are, as will those who are part of the group know and understand all that is spoken of here.

 

But first, to explain the use of Titus 1:15-16 and what is stated in these two verses.

 

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know GOD, but by deeds they deny, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.

 

To the pure, meaning and being of those who have been Cleansed, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.” Matthew 5:8

 

To be Cleansed is the purging of the heart ( for as is the heart so is the man ), which comes only By Grace though faith in JESUS CHRIST. It is The Work Of GOD that one may indeed be Conformed to The Image Of HIS SON ( Romans 8:29 ). Just as The LORD JESUS HIMSELF Speaks, Written in what we have as John 15:1-17. It requires obedience of faith, it requires humility, which in turn requires adherence to The Word Which Is Able To Save your soul ( James 1:19-25 ). Whatever we believe it must always be, as professing Christians, aligned to The Word. When in error, and one shows error, it is not to refuse correction and stubbornly hold on to what you will do. It is sin.

 

The lips of the Righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding. Proverbs 10:21 The fruit of the Righteous is a Tree of Life, And he who is wise wins souls. Proverbs 11:30 In The Way Of Righteousness Is Life, And in Its Pathway is no death. Proverbs 12:28 The way of the wicked is an abomination to The LORD, But HE Loves him who pursues Righteousness. Proverbs 15:9 The heart of the Righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked, But HE Hears the prayer of the Righteous. Proverbs 15:28-29 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good. Proverbs 28:10 …”And HE Spoke a parable To them, “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”… Luke 6:39-40.

 

We all will make mistakes, but it is the one who feels conviction in his mistakes, being that he can see to recognize them, who will then repent, confess, and so his walk, his Washing Of Regeneration and Renewing By The HOLY SPIRIT continues ( Titus 3:4-8 ). Conviction isn’t the one who has been caught out for any wrong and is seen by others as doing wrong. This is not this conviction. It is what is felt inside, in the heart, recognized and felt as sinning against GOD, which hurts, this is true conviction which will lead to repentance ( 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 ).

 

This is GOD’S Gracious Work. This is why we preach and teach nothing else other than The Gospel; Sound Doctrine. Not attempting to preach by way of science, calling it apologetics; defense of The Gospel.

 

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than The Administration Of GOD Which Is by faith. But The Goal Of our Instruction is Love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of The Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions… …and whatever else is contrary to Sound Teaching, According to The Glorious Gospel Of The Blessed GOD, with which I have been Entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:3-7 & v10b-11.

 

So to the pure, those who have been and are being Cleansed, all things will be indeed pure. But when we will adhere to strange and varied teaching in whatever form they will come, then we pollute, contaminate with sin, and are defiled. This leads to being unfaithful, disbelieving in the Christian faith, and then to them, because of what they do, nothing can be pure as in purity required and such as  here in Titus 1. Such as these will profess to know GOD, but as The LORD JESUS Says, “You will know them by their fruits.” ( Matthew 7:15-27 ), by their deeds they are truly denying GOD and denying HIS Work in their heart that they may indeed be pure in heart. Before GOD and apart from repentance they are abominable; detestable, indeed disobedient, and an unapproved workman.

 

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” Matthew 5:13.

 

 

 

 

Brother Paul----> Quoting massive amounts of Scripture,while beautiful Words of God, does not prove any point if not relevant to the discussion.  Further, I do not object to your disagreeing, only in the way it is being done. 

 

I know many apologists.  These are dedicated men and women of God, Spirit filled, operating in the gifts of the Spirit who have dedicated their entire lives to the defense of God's Word based on the passage in Peter and elsewhere as described in the original posting by ***.

 

Coming against these children of God is tantamount to calling God's work through them evil and I take strong objection to that and always will.

 

As you and I discussed many times concerning the Greek language of the New Testament, some words need depth of study to pull out their true meaning.  Linquists who Love Jesus best translate the word as "defense" in 1 Peter 3:15.  {If you want the complete liquistical study from several lexicons I will be glad to forward them via email, however *** already addressed the definition in a posting above}

 

I really have nothing further to contribute to these postings.....I think the issue was discussed in depth.  I would suggest, with God's Church being persecuted as it is, we turn our attention elsewhere where there will be a positive outcome in sharing God's Love.

 

I would suggest that this forum remain for say, a week, so all who wish to may have an opportunity to read it. Then with **** permission let it be deleted as a source of discord in ******* ****** group, which is really God's Church.

 

God Bless you my Brother and all who are reading this.

 

Praying for ******* ****** and all God's Church, In Jesus' Name. 

 

In Jesus' Love~~~ ***

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

InlovewithJESUS

 

***, and any who will read here, all the Scripture which I have used in reply to the argument for apologetics as here laid out is indeed relevant. If one cannot hear that does not mean it is irrelevant. Any who wish to ask for clarity or to question any word I have posted here I will most gladly expand or explain wherever I can, whether publicly or privately via a message. There could have been more used to further emphasize the point on behalf of GOD’S Truth but what was included I see as plenty clear enough.

 

And I say this to all, if any man, whoever he is, whatever he may claim to be, stands before others of GOD’S Church and speaks, it does not mean that what he says and his stand point and interpretation of Scripture is sound; being of The Truth. It is GOD WHO Will Show all for what it is.

 

Both publicly and privately has been given nothing more than a personal view in judgement as to what I have posted within this forum and with it also the condition of my heart. This is accusation in judgement, and only GOD May Do this. They have stated this as me being, arrogant, prideful, divisive, critical, disruptive, accusing, and self-righteous. All because my understanding of what is and what is not acceptable in GOD’S Church differs with theirs, and my making the points I have made from Scripture. To which then is added that the massive amounts of Scripture included are not relevant. Yet no one has shown any supposed error on my part from The GOD Breathed Word. Yet this is what we all must do, and how I wish that they would. ‘Massive amounts of Scripture’ and yet still it is not heard by some! It is one thing to argue a point from Scripture, this is acceptable before GOD. It is something else altogether to quarrel from fleshly motives, and this is not acceptable before GOD.

 

He who gives attention to The Word shall find good, And Blessed is he who trusts in The LORD. Proverbs 16:20.

 

There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against The LORD. Proverbs 21:30.

 

My belief is there are none here within this group and indeed within The Church who hold authority as is authority as believed by some. All Authority Belongs To The LORD JESUS CHRIST; The WORD Of GOD, and we are all, without exception, to willingly place ourselves under HIS Authority. Yes, we all make mistakes, and as I have said before, I have made plenty. But we are to show one another our errors, each one looking to themselves lest they too be tempted ( Galatians 6:1-5 ). And the way in which we are to show one another our error is according to Scripture, and never from our own fleshly perspective of what is and what is not acceptable, of what is and what is not Of GOD. Just as it is to be that when we are shown error, we are not to refuse correction. We are instructed to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction ( 2 Timothy 4:1-4 ). For me, my patience here has been tried to the limit, and I am found wanting. Though I am zealous for GOD, still my patience is found wanting. When such men as the Apostle Paul spoke of their authority they never spoke in a sense that the authority was theirs, but that it was the Authority Given To them, in Paul’s case as an Apostle Of JESUS CHRIST By The Will Of GOD, which with it comes great responsibility, and they always, always kept themselves under GOD’S Authority. Today many step outside of GOD’S Authority and fail to recognize that they do.

 

As a professing Christian, what we are in private is to be what we are publicly, and in all things it is GOD’S Will that we are Conformed to The Image Of HIS SON. This requires true faith so that GOD May Work. GOD Sees All and we shall all stand before The Judgement Seat Of CHRIST ( 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 ). What we will speak to one privately is how we are to then speak with them publicly. If this differs then this shows a fleshly motive in our heart. It is sin. It is not of The faith. We are most certainly in need of repentance. One cannot address another publicly as he would for the purpose of attempting to be seen by others to be saying the right thing in full view of others, and then privately speak to that same one in a different manner. This is hypocrisy; acting. This is not Of CHRIST.

 

We are not to agree to disagree and to not object to one who has a differing opinion in matters Pertaining To GOD shows error. How can this be in GOD’S Church? How can any accept that in The Body when there are disagreements between its members that this is acceptable to be allowed and passed over unchecked? Surely in the hearts of HIS children there must be desire to understand GOD in everything? Being diligent to preserve The Unity Of The SPIRIT In The Bond Of Peace. This too is Scriptual ( Ephesians 4 ). The Bond is a joint tie, and for us it means being always united in GOD’S Principle. This Brings and Is Peace. By all that is evident here it is why there is no Peace, and yet one stands in accusation of another that they are the sole cause, because what they state from Scripture does not agree with what they believe. I would define this as arrogant, or high mindedness. …Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly ( humble ). Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16.

 

As for this term, ‘Apologists’, I do not see this anywhere in Scripture named as a Gift. I see Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Miracles, Healing, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues… Now there are varieties of Gifts, but The Same SPIRIT. And there are varieties of Ministries, and The Same LORD. And there are varieties of Effects, but The Same GOD WHO Works All Things in all. But To each one is Given The Manifestation Of The SPIRIT for the common good. For To one is Given the word of Wisdom Through The SPIRIT, and To another the word of Knowledge According To The Same SPIRIT; To another faith By The Same SPIRIT, and To another Gifts of Healing By The ONE SPIRIT, and To another the Effecting of Miracles, and To another Prophecy, and To another the Distinguishing of spirits, To another kinds of Tongues, and To another the Interpretation of Tongues. But ONE And The Same SPIRIT Works All These Things, Distributing To each one individually just as HE Wills… 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

 

You see, ONE SPIRIT. GOD Is ONE, and we are to be One in One Body, One faith, One heart and soul ( Acts 4:32 ), and all is distributed just as GOD Wills. …that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together In Love ( Agape ), and to all The Wealth that Comes From The Full Assurance of Understanding in a True Knowledge Of GOD’S Mystery, CHRIST, In WHOM Are Hidden All The Treasures Of Wisdom And Knowledge. I say this that no one delude you with persuasive argument. Colossians 2:2-4.

 

This then onto a statement of knowing ‘many apologists’. This does not in any way confirm apologist as being a title, a position, a Gift, Ordained and Given By GOD. This would have been strange to the ears of men such as the Apostles we read of in Scripture, and came about after their time in this world. Just as would be strange to them that these claim to be as such by the Scripture of 1 Peter 3:15. This Scripture is to everyone, there is not one soul who claims to be a follower of CHRIST this Scripture is not to apply to. The fact that some will claim it as justification of a title means absolutely nothing. Before GOD it counts for nought. And yet offence is taken because one happens to know some who do this, and he himself bears witness that they are ‘SPIRIT filled operating in The Gifts Of The SPIRIT who have dedicated their whole lives to the defence of GOD’S Word based on the passage in Peter and elsewhere as described in the original passage by ***.’

 

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a Law Of faith. Romans 3:27.

 

Those who walk By The SPIRIT will be able to discern Truth and error because their sole literature they rely on is The GOD Breathed Word. Even if they read anything else they will always align what they will accept given by another when being in accordance with The GOD Breathed Word. Faith in GOD.

 

Peter writes this to The Church, to every believer, to be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks them to give an account of The Hope that is in them. Not a select few who in turn believe it then makes them an ‘apologist’ when The Word Of GOD says nothing of the kind. And as for the interpretation of the word ‘defend’ or ‘answer’ in 1 Peter 3:15. I use W. E. Vine’s expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words, a man recognised as having expert mastery of New Testament Greek, and I think that I also have The SPIRIT Of GOD.

 

Yes, as we have discussed before that the Greek language of The New Testament has much more depth of meaning compared with, say, English, and only a fool would strive on his own to understand it and apart from great learning in it to the point that Greek would be to him as familiar as his own language. And I often struggle with English!  Forty Seven years an Englishman born and bred and not the sharpest tool in the box, not the brightest button, and I also think that I have The SPIRIT Of GOD.

 

…For consider your Calling, Brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but GOD Has Chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and GOD Has Chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, GOD Has Chosen, the things that are not, that HE might Nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before GOD. But By HIS Doing you are In CHRIST JESUS, WHO Became To us Wisdom From GOD, And Righteousness And Sanctification, And Redemption, that, just as It Is Written, “Let him who boasts, boast in The LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

 

Then to another accusation, this time that ‘Coming against these children of GOD is tantamount to calling GOD’S work through them evil and I take strong objection to that and always will.’

 

This straight away put me in mind of medieval England and the absurd and groundless accusations suffered by many at the hands of ‘the church’, who were then tried and condemned to death with no hope of any justice and truth on the part of their accusers. Where is your evidence for this accusation? My defence is The Pure Logic Of The Word, which I long for.

 

You state that you believe that this issue was discussed in depth ( you use past tense? ) ‘and would suggest, with GOD’S Church being persecuted as it is, we turn our attention elsewhere where there will be a positive outcome in sharing GOD’S Love.’

 

I can agree that this is going on far too long, and in true humility and by The Word Of GOD it would have concluded long before now. But to leave a mess behind to turn our attention to something else elsewhere is somewhat staggering to hear a professing Christian want to do. Rather, be reconciled to GOD. Honour GOD and do not make a mockery of the Christian Way. How is it at all possible to leave such as this unresolved and believe we can then go on to do something else and hope that the next thing will have a positive outcome, and even be truly sharing GOD’S Love! There is much accusation of hypocrisy and disobedience to The Word just waiting to be levelled at us in doing such as this. More than this, it dishonours The LORD GOD. And to believe that in doing this we are continuing in GOD’S Love?! What do you make The Love Of GOD to be?

 

This is a lesson, that strange and varied teaching only produce quarrels and conflict, and with those who stubbornly hold on to what they want to hold on to rather than adhering to The Word Of GOD; Sound Doctrine, it will always be the case. Apart from repentance, which requires humility, it will always be the case.

 

If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with Sound Words, Those Of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and with The Doctrine Conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of The Truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

 

I believe that now it is here that this whole forum would be better to be left, and not deleted, so that any who will come across such as this again may be able to read to discern Truth and error. Though of course my desire is that it would never have arisen in the first place, and so be in line with the statement of the group; and the teaching of the Apostles ( Acts 2:42 ).

 

Our sin causes GOD not to hear our prayers ( Isaiah 59:1-2, Lamentations 3:39-44, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 Peter 3:12 )

 

In the days of HIS Flesh, HE Offered Up both Prayers and Supplications with loud crying and tears To The ONE Able To Save HIM from death, and HE Was Heard because of HIS Piety ( HE feared ;kjv). Hebrews 5:7. It is no different for us also.