Eldress Rowe

God's grace is not our license to continue to live a sinful life but our pathway to a life of holiness. It may appear on the surface that we have been given great freedom but when we dig a little deeper we find that this is not the case. Some feel that since we are no longer under the law but under grace sin is no longer imputed to them and that they can not be damned but can do what they will because if the love and favor of God, but this is in error. While we may not be under the law as they were in the time of Moses, we are under it as in the hands of Christ, and though no under its curse we are under an obligation of obedience to it from a principal of love and grace. A transgression of it is sin in the believer just as in others and by willfully continuing in sin we greatly abuse the grace of God and are ignorant of it and its influence since nothing more powerfully engages us to a love of holiness and a hatred of sin than the grace of God. The grace of God is the free favor and good will of God and is the means of conveying and working grace in the hearts of believers. it is obliging and constraining to goodness therefore we should not let sin reign in our mortal bodies but yield ourselves unto God. The love of Christ constrains us not to live to self but to Christ and without this effect it is received in vain. Not only does grace bring salvation from sin and wrath, death and hell, but it brings us to faith, a life of holiness now, and to happiness hereafter. The doctrine of grace and salvation found in the Gospel is for all, slaves, servants, and masters, and engages and encourages all to receive, believe, and walk suitably to it. It directs us as to what to shun and what to follow, what to avoid and what to do, teaching us to renounce ungodliness and worldly **** and have nothing more to do with these things. It makes us conscience of both good and evil that we may do that which is good and shun that which is evil, keeping limits of moderation and temperance on our appetite and passions. It instructs us to act righteously toward all men, rendering to all their due and injuring none. We are not born for ourselves alone therefore we must not live to ourselves only. Selfishness ia an unrighteousness that robs others of their share in us which is their due and should not be a part of our DNA. But our personal and relational duties must be done in obedience to His command with the aim of pleasing and honoring God, from principles of holy love and reverence of God.

Weaknesses that younger wives and husbands need to be careful of are self control, being reasonable, sensible, purity, being submissive, loving their husbands and children. taking care of the home affairs. In addition the young men need to be able to keep their heads and not go off without thinking things through. Employees should submit to the instructions of their employers, try to please them, not be argumentative, and not steal but show that they are trustworthy. Young women should be taught how to be good mothers and wives by example, to love their husbands and children, self-control, purity and to be attentive to household duties. They should be taught moral goodness that expresses itself in kindness and to be humbly obedient. Young men should be taught self-control, to be prudent, reasonable, sensible, serious, temperate, reverence, and to keep their heads because they have a tendency to go off without thinking. Titus's example is so important in teaching good Christian behavior and morality because it involves wisdom, the Word of God and doctrine of Jesus Christ, and was to be done in love, and by example. The way we conduct ourselves has a lot to do with how effective we are in attracting people to faith in Christ and the reputation of the Church, Our behavior affects our testimony and the public's perspective of Christ and Christianity either negatively or positively.

The predominant sins of the older men and women in Churches of Crete were they were not watchful of their conduct and conversation. Their behavior, speech and dress were unbecoming of aged persons and they were not even temperate in their eating and drinking. The aged women were not behaving as holy women sanctified by the Spirit of god for their clothing, speech, conduct, nor conversation was representative of such. They were false accusers and given to much wine. Paul told them that even if their bodies were unhealthy they should be sound in their minds and in the doctrine of their faith. Their faith in Christ should appear to be right and genuine and their love to God, Christ, and His people should be real and sincere and not on the things of the world. The women should be teacher of good thing both by example and instructions both in their own houses as well as publicly. They were not to teach superstitious customs, rites, and ceremonies but things that were solid and substantial, useful and inspiring, honest and honorable, chaste and pure. In order word they were to teach the Word of God and the doctrines of Jesus Christ.

I think that most pastors and elders toady hesitate to call out false doctrine because they are afraid of the many different doctrine that are prevalent in today's societies and they are afraid of the backlash. But if it is not in accordance with the Word of God and the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which is truth, then they should speak truth and leave the results to God. As a result of laxity more and more false teachers are spreading false doctrines and leading people astray. That is why we should study the word for ourselves and ask God for understanding, that we might know the truth that makes us free. Gentle but firm discipline with respect to sound doctrine will exhort the believer to their duty, influence and engage them, comfort them in all their tribulations, and convince gainsayers who resist the truth, oppose and object to it to be refitted and convincened by it.

Actions that are the best antidotes for the love of money are faith and trust in God When we truly trust God to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory we will not feel the need to acquire abundant riches on our own but know that He will supply all our needs and some of our wants. We can cultivate generosity so that it remains healthy rather than let it go overboard and hurt our families by learning to control our wealth rather than it controlling us, realizing when we have more than enough for our own use and being willing to share with us without being asked to do so, and understanding that what we have it to be used for support, refreshment, and pleasure and not to be abused.

To guard our faith with becoming narrow, backward looking people who oppose all changes and complain about what things are coming to we should keep what we have learned pure and uncorrupt, and diligently preserved that it may continue to be genuine with adulteration or taken away by false teachers. It should be used, stirred up and cultivated but never neglected. We should hold fast to sound, wholesome word, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and those which the Holy Spirit teaches. Guard can be positive, loving and pleasant to be around if they are true and and shared with the love of God.

We should seek contentment because to do otherwise is to set oneself up for sorrow and disappointment. When we learn to be content with what we have the things we don't have of this world does not bother us as much. We can be happy and thankful knowing the God has provided for our need and maybe even some of our wants and we don't knot have to over burden ourselves trying to get other things but can live within our means. No contentment doe not jeep us from trying to get what our family need but it will keep us from getting ourselves in debt because of wants and seeking to keep up with the Joneses. When we put the need to get ahead before God and family we have lost our way. The balance between contentment and the quest for improvement is quality time spent with God and family. It is not the quantity of time spent but the quality of the time spent that makes the difference.

I think people are susceptible to distorted Bible teaching concerning financial gain because of their carnal thinking. When most people here the word gain or financial blessing to fist thing that usually come to their mind is more of the things the world consider to be blessings and not good health, peace of mind, or some spiritual blessing. We may have heard distortions such as poverty is a sin, wealth is God's blessings on the godly, if we believe the promises of God we will prosper financially, and it we tithe we will get more money because we can't beat God giving, because when men are not content with the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness they form notions of their own and impose them in words which man's wisdom teaches and not word which the Holy Ghost teaches. These men are of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth because they do not stick to the truth as in the Word of God but make the Gospel subservient to their secular interest. They differ from the truth because they are not the Word of God which is truth but the words of man.

The Gospel has sown the seeds that will eventually destroy slavery by letting us know that their is neither bond or free for their is unity of all human beings in Christ Jesus. In calling, justifying, and saving men God is no respecter of person but all who are saved are saved by His grace. Paul seems to condone slavery in this passage because he gives instructions on how servants are to behave with regards to their masters and vice versa. Jesus Christ did not come to dissolve the bond of civil relations but to strengthen it and Paul is giving instructions as to how it can be strengthen. Pau's motive was to encourage the Gentiles and demolish the pride, vanity, and boasting of the Jews. If servants who embrace the Christian religion grow insolvent and disobedient to their masters the doctrine of Christ would be reflected on as if it had made men worse livers than they had been before they received the Gospel. And if we who profess Christianity misbehave ourselves the name of God and the doctrine of Christ are in danger of being blasphemed by those who seek to speak evil of that worthy name by which we are called.

Paul say "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands" because it first need to be proved that they have the grace of God in them, the gifts for public service bestowed upon them, are sound in faith, are of a good life and conversations, and of uprightness and fidelity. For some this can be obvious but others have to be observed over a period of time to see if these qualities are present. The dangers in laying hand in someone hastily is that some men have private sin that need to be revealed. Some men's characters are so well know that it is clear that they are destitute of the grace of God, unsound in faith, and are men of immoral lives and conversations that there can be no dispute as to whether they need to be admitted into the ministry of the Word or office or be rejected. But there are other whose sins or errors are so private that they may not be known and it is proper to take time and not be hasty to lay hand on them for ones does not want to share in the sins of others. We can lessen these dangers by getting to know people before we put them in ministry or office. We should care observe people, without showing partiality or favoritism in to see if they have received the grace of God in truth, are equipped with that which is necessary, useful, and desirable for ministry, are sound in the doctrine of faith, and are men of godly lives and conversations in order to lessen the risk.

It was and is necessary to make formal accusation and try false teachers for if left unchecked they will think that they can get a way with sinful living and still maintain their leadership roles in the church. If they continue in their sinful ways and others see that nothing is done about it they may be tempted to do likewise. Just because a sinful leader maybe be rich or influential that is no reason to overlook his sinful actions.. The temptation to compromise and not go through go through with it because it can bring scandal on the person as well as on religion, even when the person is cleared. And Satan would be continually pestering the church with charges. It is difficult to exercise discipline today because the church has relaxed it standards and morals. Holiness is not a fact of life but a way of life and the church needs to get back to holiness. We have allowed the world to influence the church rather than the church influencing the world. Somethings that were once looked at as sin is not longer seen as such because so many are doing it, but if God said it is sin then it is sin.

Elders who rule well and labor in word and doctrine should be compensated financially. They should not rule with force or cruelty, or lord it over God's heritage but govern according to the laws which Christ has give. They should explain and enforce those laws, show them to the people and see that they are put into practice; and they should discharge this part of their work with diligence and prudence. Scriptural support for such practice is found in Deuteronomy 25:4, Luke 10:7, I Corinthians 9:9&10. We should not muzzle the mouth of the ox that tread out the corn, for God take care for the oxen, and the laborer is worthy of his wages

To help aging family members it is our responsibilities to care for them when they are no longer able to care for themselves. We are to provide financially if able to do so. If we have to rebuke them it must be done in love and not harshly; not with resentment but with honor and high regard. It is our Christian responsibility because we have been instructed to honor our mother and father, and helping them is a way of honoring them. This is a repayment of a all the sorrow, pain, trouble, care and expenses they incurred in bearing and bringing us into the world, taking care of us in infancy, brining us up, giving us an education, providing food, raiment and shelter for us, and settling us in the word. Those who refuse this responsibility is worst than an unbeliever and an infidel.

Rigid unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine but cannot produce godliness because they are not showing godliness. People learn what they see in actions and godliness begins with love. They must be examples not only in word and conversation but in deeds. Not only should their conversation be strict but their discourse must be edifying. They must be examples in charity (love), spirit, faith and purity. A strong example of godliness in church leaders is essential to a health church because it shows other how they should live rather than simply tell them. People are more apt to follow what they see you do than doing what you say. Be an example in word and deed so that your light might shine and others will see the Christ you talk about living in you.

Godliness is living a life that results in actions that are pleasing to God. Not only do we obey God but we respect Him. We are instructed to add godliness to faith when we become born again believers. Godliness is produce as we train and discipline ourselves in doctrines which are according to godliness and tend toward godly edification as the Holy Spirit leads us. We exercise the heart in truth, sincerity, and faith as we exhibit faith, hope, love, reverence, humility, and spiritual worship of God according to His will. Our embracing strict morality may keep us out of bad company and from doing evil things but it will be of no give us everlasting life. Without internal godliness and spiritual worship we will not enjoy all the good things and mercies of life God has promised to His spiritual worshipers, those who fear him and walk upright.

The performance of legalistic requirement is so attractive to people because it appeals to their sense of self-righteousness. but scripture tells us that in the sight of God our righteousness is a filthy rags. It produces the fruit of deception in a person's life allowing them to live in debauchery and uncleanness, under a hypocritical pretense of of holiness, temperance, and keeping the body, and of mortification while indulging in all manner of sensuality. The true Gospel makes us wise but legalistic requirements have an appearance of wisdom when in actuality they create a self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body. Thus they cause harm and not good.

Paul reminds Timothy and the Church of the prediction concerning widespread apostasy so that would not be surprised or overwhelmed by it but could prepare themselves to deal with it. That they should not loose heart when they saw these things but would be prepared to stand firm in their belief and counter the false doctrines. This knowledge should prepare Timothy and the church to reject the false doctrines and teaching as well as allowing them to prepare not only to tell others the true Gospel but to live it by precept and example. If the people could see them being living examples of what they were preaching and teaching they would be more apt to believe.

The qualifications for overseers and elders are the same but there are variations in the qualifications for deacons. Some qualifications for overseers and elder that were not listed for deacons were apt to teach, patient, not a novice, and having a good report of those without. While they were not listed as qualifications for deacons I feel that some should apply because a deacon may be called upon to teach, patient is a virtue need by every believer, and all believers should seek a have a good report of those without. Not only should deacons not be double tongue but neither should should overseers and elders for people need to be able to depend on their word and all three should be faithful in all thing. They might be holding different position and their duties may be different but they are all servants of a true and living God who should be represent as the God He is.

Tendencies to anger, intimidation, force and pride are of the world and not of God. To chose men who posses these qualities is just asking for trouble, for those who cannot govern themselves are unfit to govern the church. When we don't consider these factors we bring reproach on the church, religion will suffer, souls will be prejudiced and endangered, more and more false teacher will be produced because the ministry is being managed with worldly views. How can a man teach others to live godly lives when they are not living godly themselves?

Leaders should be observed carefully and test before place them in office to assure that they meet the qualifications of the job and not set them up for failure. Both their spiritual maturity and character should be evaluated. One who has lately come to the knowledge of the truth, just embraced and professed it, and become a member of a church should not be appointed to such an office lest he be lifted up in pride which swells his mind and cause him to think more highly of himself than he should. Doing this period you should be looking for spiritual maturity-a wise man of God with sound judgement and understanding, some one who loves the Lord and seeks to do His will, some who loves good and despises evil, some one who is well able to instruct and communicate to other the things of the kingdom of God not only through teaching but in actions as well. Someone with a blameless character that is above reproach, one who is faithful, trustworthy, watchful over himself, his words, actions, and for the souls of others. One who is not swift to strike with his hand or his tongue, not covetous of amassing wealth and riches, or desirous of applause and glory from men. One who patiently bears all reproaches and injuries, puts up with affronts, and gives up what is his right and due rather than contend and quarrel. One who rules his own house well.

With the statement 'husband of one wife" Paul was saying that a leader should be faithful, and able to be an example for others in the church. They should be above reproach in the larger community so as not to give the church a bad reputation and others in the church will chose to pattern their lives after him. A leader should have established a consistence pattern of marital faithfulness before becoming a leader of the church for if they cannot be trusted with worldly things how can they be trusted with the things of God. A leader's family is an important indicator of his leadership potential or problems because if he has ruled his family well more than likely he will do the same for the church but if he lacks control of his family this could be an indication of future problems. A good decorum with his family, and children willing to observes his orders, especially the rules of God's Word is a good indication of a man who can preside of over his house, rules in it, provides for it, and sees that everything is in its proper place and done according to the will of God. He should be able to rule well in the house of God.

Leaders should be observed carefully and tested before place them in office so as not to set them up for failure or bring shame to the office. Both their spiritual maturity and character should be evaluated. To put a new believer in an office could cause him to think more highly of himself than he should. During the period of observation and testing we should look for faithfulness, trustworthiness, that they a blameless and above reproach, love the Lord and walk in obedience, not given to partiality and favoritism, love what is good and despise evil, and are well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven and able to communicate them to others.

With the phrase "husband of one wife" I think Paul in indicating a leader who is faithful and committed to his calling just as he is faithful and committed to his wife. It takes commitment, dedicating, and faithfulness (and lets not forget prayer) along with love and forgiveness to make a marriage work as God intended and it takes the same for the church. We are none perfect and scripture tells us that love hides a multitude of sin but the leader should be dedicated to making his marriage work as well as dedicated to making the Church work as God intended. A leader's family is an indicator of his potential as well as problems because if the husband has no control of his own house he is not likely to exercise control over God's bouse. If his family shows him no respect others are no likely to do so either.

I do not believe that Paul intend to establish a blueprint for church structure but to deal with the circumstances at the church in Ephesus. We must try to understand Paul's message for his original readers before we can draw a conclusion from the passage for the sake of women in the church today. Ephesus was known as a center of pagan religion. Maybe the women were attempting to gain improper authority over the men in the worship center, maybe some were teaching heresy, or they may have doctrinally naive, whatever the cause Paul's main purpose was to assist a church suffering from heretical teaching. Paul commanded the women to learn whether through practical experience, formal instructions, or through inquiry for women should be educated as well as the men. Despite the negative connotation it does not entail not speaking but implies respect or a lack of disagreement. When Paul commands women to learn in silence he is commanding them to be students who respect and affirm their teacher's conviction. with full submission implies an attitude of receptivity not submission to their husbands or male church leadership. Instead of learning from false teacher learn from those who speak the truth. Because their was a low level of education among women at that time the ban was temporary until the women educational level was sufficiently raised so that they could discern truth and error. Some believe that the ban involved only the women in Ephesus rather than women universally. Paul was not prohibiting women from preaching, praying, having authority, nor pastoring, but that they study to show themselves approved unto God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. The same applies in the twenty-first century.

Women dressing in fancy clothing threaten to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus because it drew attention to them and away from the message. It could have cause the poor who could not afford such dress to feel as if they were out of place and did not belong. We should still have standard today rather than allowing people to come to church dressed as if they are going to a party or a carnation ball. Goudy dressing still distract from the service as dose dressing provocatively. God has called His people to holiness and set them a part for his service and we should dress as becoming holiness and not as the world who knows not God or the things of God. We have been set apart from the world and our dress as well as our living should reflect that.