Have you read the description of the Cretans in Paul’s letter to Titus? “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). His assessment agrees with a Cretan prophet who said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (1:12). Paul had also described these people as being idle talkers, deceivers, subverters of whole households, teaching things they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain (1:10-11)
Paul had left Titus in Crete (1:5) to appoint elders in every city, to help deal with these people. They were to be men of faithfulness regarding doctrine, that were “able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (1:9).
Titus himself had a responsibility in the midst of this conflict with evil men. Paul wrote to him, “Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” (Titus 1:13-14).
I have always thought it remarkable how similar our own society is to those described in the first century. Paul wrote about Romans who no longer retained God in their knowledge. He wrote to many churches who were struggling with immorality and error, such as in Corinth and the province of Galatia. Jesus was sharply critical of the religious leaders of the day, calling them whitewashed tombs, “which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
I no longer think it particularly remarkable. I have lived long enough to know that these kinds of things do not greatly change. They might get a bit better or a bit worse, but the canker of sin will plague the world and all nations until Jesus comes again. We wait with patience for the end of His longsuffering, when He will return and the “heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
With this in mind listen to Peter’s words, “Therefore… what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (3:11). Truly we should be actively looking forward to “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (3:13).
We can’t change where we live. We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. We are to shine our lights for the purpose of saving souls. In order for us to be successful in this endeavor, we must give ourselves wholly to the Lord!
