This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace. I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.
Titus 1:1-7 NLT
Paul described himself as a slave of God, and he gave his life to God’s work. Being a slave to Jesus is the only true freedom. Paul described Titus as his true son in the faith, and he asked Titus to make sure that only godly people were put into positions of leadership. Spiritual leaders should be held to a higher standard – they should demonstrate lives of integrity before they are put into leadership positions. Titus had been Paul’s companion for some time. He is mentioned in Galatians, one of Paul’s earliest letters, and he also helped Paul in Corinth. Paul trained and loved his young protégés, and he held them to a higher standard, expecting them to work and suffer for Jesus.
Fully devoted people understand that they are slaves of God – they have given themselves to God’s work and do not live for their own pleasure, ambition, or selfishness. These people will not win the awards of the world – they are the spiritual leaders who will change the world with Jesus. See yourself as a child of God, perfectly loved. See yourself as a servant – only in serving Christ will you experience freedom. When you know down to your core that you are loved and you are a servant, you will be free. And God will use you to change countless lives.
How can you hold yourself—and your leaders—to a higher standard? How is being a slave of Christ the only path of freedom
