Watching my life everyday...why?

Titus was placed in an environment that was hostile to Christianity.  False teachings were rife and the Christian community was in disarray.  The nation was infamous for being liars, evil brutes and lazy gluttons.  The Christians were probably making things difficult for Titus to do his work.  However, Paul expressed confidence in Titus by leaving him in Crete to straighten out the bad situation in the church.  He urged Titus to be bold and to persevere and step out and teach the right doctrines and setting the right example to the people by being an exemplary role model.  Likewise, here in Singapore, we live in an environment that is not entirely friendly to Christianity. And Timothy teaches how to endure opposition.  The world is especially hostile to Christ hence we need endurance and to practise gentleness in the face of opposition.  Just take my family for instance.  One of my sisters is a Catholic while the sister and my mother are Buddhists.  Religion is not important to my nieces and brother-in-law. There is and always has been resistance to Christianity for as long as I can remember.  However, I must not give up hope and still continue to share the Good News to my family members whenever I can although I do feel weary at times.  This is especially so when I see no change to their receptiveness to the Gospel.  From the book of Titus, I am reminded that this hostile environment is not unique to just my family or to Singapore but to the world at large.  The world has been hostile to Jesus since Day One.  The enemy crept in stealthily and with his lies, ‘stole’ the blessings that God had given man and he is still very much at his game today.  But Scriptures assure us that God desires for all man to come to know Him and not perish.  Therefore, I will not be discouraged even when faced with objections and resistance but will continue to believe in my family’s and friends’ salvation.

Many times, we question the ability of someone young and inexperienced especially at leadership positions.  However, Paul taught Timothy not to be discouraged or disheartened at remarks that he (Timothy) was too young but instead he should continue to set himself as a blameless example for others to see and follow.  The going would be tough, Paul promised, but Timothy was to ‘keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim 6:14).  This is a lesson for me not to doubt the young but instead to be an encouragement and help to them.  I have to remember that everyone, young or old, experienced or not, is being appointed by God to serve in the Body of Christ and as a community, we are to encourage and build each other up.  And just as there was a starting point in my life to learn and grow, so do others.

          ‘It gets lonely at the top.”  I remember this punchline from a Svensons advertisement, a hair regrowth brand.  A balding man was looking out of his skyscraper office window at the New York scene outside.  Obviously, this man is in an executive position within the corporation, hence the window view, hence his loneliness.  Paul was acutely aware leaders can get lonely and discouraged with all the work yet seeing little or no results.  He thus kept reminding Timothy of his calling and ministry to encourage him and egg him on.  It is possible Timothy could have been feeling down and needed all the encouragement he could have.  Likewise, many leaders are alone and have no one to turn to when they need help so it is important that as church members, we need to remember them and keep them in prayer to encourage, motivate and uphold them.  Leaders are not super beings.  They are normal people being placed in positions of responsibility and authority as caretakers in the different aspects of God’s work.  We have to acknowledge that they too, just like everyone else, need encouragement.

In our group skit, I played a character who was disgruntled with her lady boss whom she deemed unfit for her position.  She started to complain and gossip about her at cell group.  It is indeed human nature to pick on others’ shortcomings.  It is also a common fact that a complaint may very well continue to grow to become gossip and once started, it is difficult to stop.  That was not only acting.  I am guilty of complaining and gossiping about people in real life and it is a habit that has to be stopped because it is like venom that will spread like gangrene not only within me but that will affect the people around me as well.  1 Tim 4:16 says ‘I need to watch my life and doctrines closely and to persevere in them because when I do, I will save both myself and my hearers’ and may I add, watchers and observers as well.  So I ask myself, how do I want people to view me, a disciple of Christ?  Do I want to be criticised for my behaviour and speech or do I want to live a life that will encourage and lead others to Christ?  People are watching and it seems they are watching Christians closely.  So I have to adopt the right behaviour at all times, my speech as well – even when no one is looking, because God is still watching. 

            Another lesson, not the last, is about guarding what God has entrusted to my care.  The ministries He has placed in my care, am I looking after them well?  The studies He has called me to, am I working hard at them?  The things He has given me, am I being good steward of them?   The family and friends He has placed and is bringing into my life, how burdened am I for their salvation?  Am I doing enough and where can I do more?  The gifts He has given me, am I hiding them and storing them away?  It is a sobering thought that should I not do His work and His will, He can always appoint someone else to do that same work.  When that happens, how am I going to give my report on that Day?   I truly need to sit down and examine these seriously. 

These are some lessons and reminders I am taking away from the Pastoral Epistles.  Initially I had thought it is about pastors and their work.  However, it did not take long to realise the Scriptures apply to every Christian – pastor, leader, church member young and old, because firstly, all of us are called to be leaders and secondly, we need to watch our lives so that “in every way, we will make the teaching of God, our Saviour attractive” (Titus 2:10).