We often think of the Apostles and their associates in the 1^st century as dealing with great and exciting issues. No doubt they did have much excitement and their lives could not be thought of as being dull, yet some of the battles they fought must have been very frustrating to them. One such battle may very well have been fought by an associate of the Apostle Paul, a young pastor named Titus. He was sent out to the island of Crete, among folks that it was said by their own people … “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Titus as a young man had to deal with these people as Paul commanded him, “…rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith…” Obviously for them to become sound in the faith it is implied that they are believers, though very immature in their faith. Sometimes is it easier to deal with rank unbelievers than it is to rebuke irresponsible, self-indulgent believers! Yet, this was the responsibility of this young man. Do you think this was a fun and entertaining task for this young pastor? Doubtless it was a very messy and possibly dangerous job, but this young man went and carried out his task as was his responsibility. When it is our responsibility to do the thankless and inhospitable tasks as believers, it may do us well to remember this young man and his work in the early days of the church. He must have done his work very well, because the entire known world of his day heard the Gospel as Paul tells us in Colossians 1:23. The Lord was with these men and women as they labored for their Lord in the setting in which they lived. We serve the same Lord today and He is just the same as he was then and will always be!

To get an idea of what it may have been like for this young man Titus, check out course number 31300, Titus, as taught by Dr. Manford Gutzke in the BBN BI. It will be a blessing as well as a learning experience as you see that the Lord goes with us today in the tasks He has called us to just as He did in the early days of the church.