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NASB | Titus 1:6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 1:6 namely, a man of unquestionable integrity, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of being immoral or rebellious. |
Subject: The husband of only one wife? |
Bible Note: Justme You said, "I believe Scripture points to the liberation of people from sin, and freedom to serve the Lord. I also believe and have observed that religious people are eager to preach (2 Cor.5:17) becoming a New Creature in Christ, and behold all things become new. However not for anyone who has been divorced!" Again I say it is not a SIN issue. If the person is in Christ Jesus his sin is forgiven. However all of our actions carry consequences aside from the sin issue. If a person practices fornication he is sinning, if he then stops and asks Jesus into his heart he is forgiven. However he then finds out he has genital herpes which cannot be cured. Does that mean his fornication can never be forgiven? NO! However his actions/behavior did carry consequences that will live in him the rest of his life. If a person robs a bank, shoots a guard and is captured, tried and found guilty and sentenced to death then finds Jesus is his death sentence commuted? His eternal death sentence is, however in all likelihood he will still be executed. Does that mean he is not forgiven? NO! It means his actions/behavior carry consequences that will cost him his earthly life. A person is married and divorces, commits adultery and then finds Jesus. However according to 1 Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6 he can’t be a elder, deacon, overseer or pastor. Does that mean he is not forgiven? NO! However his action carried consequences and one of those consequences is he can’t be a elder, deacon, overseer, or pastor. Does that mean he has not value or that he can’t serve God? NO! It simply means he does not meet qualification for one of those offices. However there are thousands of other jobs God has for him that he can do. We put such a premium on titles and that no ought to be. Some of the most effective and most productive (if you will allow me to use that word) people in the work of Christ carry no title other than servant of the Most High God. They share Jesus not because they are getting paid or have job title but because Jesus has placed in their heart a desire to serve. We look at 1Tim 3:2 and Titus 1:6 as a limitation or handicap, perhaps it is a blessing. People that don’t meet these guidelines for church office are now free to minister as servants of God rather than servants of the church. Any one can do the work of the deacon without the title, any can do the work of a elder without the title. Any can minister the word of God without a title. You ask is it wrong to deny a person a call to minister? I say yes. However this discussion is not about denying a persons call to minister but rather about denying that person a specific title or position. I have a very dear friend that was married and divorced and remarried and divorced and then saved. He is now married to a dear Christian woman. He felt he had a call to preach. He went to Bible college and seminary. He applied to credentials and was rejected. He was crushed. I was crushed for him. Instead of getting bitter or arguing that this wasn't fair he simply said God must have something else for him. Shortly thereafter God opened doors for him to minister to Senior Adults in a Assisted Care center. He became their Chaplain and is ministering to patients, patient families, staff and staff families. He holds services throughout the week and ministers to hundreds. I can tell you most pastors would kill for his ministry. He has none of the cares of church buildings, boards and church in fighting. Today he will tell you he would have never done it, if he had gotten his credentials. He would have tried to start a church and these precious people he is now ministering to would be without the someone to love them and care for them. It is not that God doesn't love people that have been divorced it is just that God wants to use them in different ways. We always try to decide if what God says is right or not by judging if it seems fair to us. God said His ways were different than man's ways. EdB |