December 19, Day 353

Today's Reading

Paul was released from Roman house arrest and wrote this letter to Titus from Nicopolis. Titus was on the island of Crete, helping the churches there. Cretans were among those who heard the Gospel in their own language on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). No doubt they went home and started churches, though they had almost no instruction to help them. Now those churches were struggling with Jewish legalism mixed in along with proclamation that Jesus, their messiah had come. Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. (Titus 3:9-11 NLT) It's certain that this letter would stay in Crete after Titus left, helping church leaders stand against the pervasive false teaching.