Titus 1
One of my favorite movies is The Princess Bride. It is a cute romantic comedy about a peasant
girl whose peasant boyfriend goes to find fortune that he might marry her. In his absence the prince finds her, makes
her a princess, and plots her kidnap and murder in order to start a war with a
neighboring country. The story revolves
around the peasant boy’s return and his efforts to save his beloved.
One of the funny exchanges among the
kidnappers has the brains of the operation constantly saying, “Inconceivable!” to
the boyfriend’s efforts to rescue the princess.
About the fourth time this character cries out, “Inconceivable!” one of
the other kidnappers says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it
means.”
In the movie it was a funny line, but in
real life people often portray that kind of skepticism toward God’s Word. This is nothing new. Paul told one of his partners in mission
work, Titus, that he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as it was taught,
so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke
those who contradict it.
We shouldn’t be surprised when people
who are not Christians cry, “Inconceivable!” to the message of Christ crucified
for our salvation. To the world our
message seems like foolishness. How,
indeed, can one man pay for the sins (if there is such a thing) of all
humanity? How can a man also be God at
the same time? No, these are things that
must be taken hold of by faith, and those who do not have faith will not
believe.
It is when Christians proclaim, “Inconceivable!”
to the clear teaching of God’s Word that Paul’s words regarding instruction in sound
doctrine (literally, “wholesome teaching”) and rebuking those who oppose the
Word apply. And, no mistake, there is a
big difference between saying, “I don’t understand,” and, “Inconceivable!”
Consider for a moment: How do you know Jesus died for you? How do you know your sins are forgiven? It is because God says so in His Word. So we seek to learn from the Word what God would
have us know, believe, and hold on to, and He is clear that what He would have
us cling to is Jesus’ cross and empty tomb.
God, thank you for your Word. Help me to hear and believe what You say, and
share my hope in You with others.
Amen.
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