Titus 3:13
13 Bring [propempo] Zenas [Zenas] the lawyer [nomikos] and [kai] Apollos [Apollos] on their
journey [propempo] diligently [spoudaios], that [hina] nothing [medeis] be wanting [leipo] unto
them [autos]. KJV-Interlinear
13 Diligently help Zenas the
lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. NASB
Zenas means living, and Apollos means destroyer.
Both men were well
versed in the scriptures.And although nothing
is known about Zenas, other than what is mentioned here, his being a lawyer,
just what kind of law practice isn t made clear. More than likely he was one who was well
versed in the Levitical Laws and that is probably what is meant here.
If he were a civil
lawyer or a criminal lawyer, then he probably would not be traveling with Paul
and others for the purpose of spreading the scriptures. But then, he could very well be a retired
lawyer and was traveling in that capacity.
But no matter. What is clear is the meaning of his name, which
is living. So he was certainly a born
again Christian, and the life of the gospel and doctrine were within him. He was likely spiritually mature.
As for Apollos, his
name means destroyer, but his nature is described in several passages, Acts
18:24, 1 Cor. 1:12, 3:5-6, 4:6. Apollos
seems to have been quite the dynamic orator, able to crush any argument that
was presented to him.Powerful in the
scriptures (Old Testament), as described in Acts, and
well versed in doctrine.
When folks traveled in
the ancient world, they were treated as guests and all their expenses (usually
room and board) were paid for them by their host. That is what nothing is lacking for them,
means.
And so what does all of
this have to do with you?
Well, more than likely
you are an obscure person with respect to this world. As far as this world goes, no one knows you. But in heaven, God knows you and God takes
care of all your needs, and that is all that matters in life.
As far as this world
goes, you are powerless.But as far as doctrine
goes, when you advance in your spiritual life, then you become powerful, a
destroyer, as it were.
When anyone looks at
you, they most likely will not even see you.
You are unassuming and common as far as the world goes, but the cover
does not reflect the content of the book in the case of the silent warrior in
the Christian.If you have seen that video
of the woman in Britain, singing, then you ll understand this principle.
You do not have to be a
dynamic and extraverted individual in order to be great or have a great life. Most people in this world,
are not.But God levels the paying field
for everyone, and is able to craft each one of us into phenomenal individuals,
with doctrine.
The subject of the Book
of Titus is discernment, insight, perspicacity.
The ability to distinguish between the true realities of life from the
false.The ability to make good
decisions.
If you were standing at
the bottom of a tall building, and someone pushed a piano off the roof, falling
right down toward you, and you look up and see it coming, do you wait for a
voice from heaven to shout, Get out of the way, stupid! ?
No, you possess some
degree of common sense and know when it is time to move from danger. God gave you
that common sense, through doctrine.
Some people use their heads, but most folks do not.
Bible doctrine provides
you with clarity of thought.God is not
going to think for you, and there won t be any voices from heaven, or dreams
from heaven, but God will through doctrine, give you a bit more insight as to
how you can use the mental capabilities you already possess.
Look around you, you
have options. Titus was instructed to observe and listen to the folks he was
recruiting for making the local churches stable and long lasting.
Was Titus going to be
perfect in his choices?No. But he would use his abilities of observation,
combined with the principles of life that he had learned from his doctrinal
studies, to help him make better choices than he otherwise might have made.
You are not a
dummy.You have options in life. Figure them out, write them down, make a
list, do whatever it is that you need to do in order to make your life better,
and pursue your life.Do not abandon
doctrine.Do not fade away from your
daily study.That is the foundation of
your life, and the access source through which all, repeat, all blessings from
God, come to you.
Have a good life now? Then thank God for giving the pathetic you,
what you have.
Have a bad life now? Then thank God for giving you the doctrine
with which you can survive your ordeal, and by which you can escape it.
God brings no
difficulty into the life of any individual, which is greater than they are able
to bear.And believe me,
people are well able to bear a lot.
History has proven that over and over again.
But God did not place
you in this world to suffer and have a miserable life. God put you here to have a phenomenal life. God always provides a way out of your
difficulty, and doctrine is that way out, or better stated, doctrine is the
doorway, through which you can discover your way out (daily study, learning,
application to your daily life, obedience to Gods mandates). Obedience is usually the falling down area in
the spiritual life.
Somewhere on the web
site I have a spiritual life check list.
You might want to find it and re-read it.
Unfortunately, too many
folks simply do not walk through that door, and that is the great failure of anyone's
life.
Without doctrine all you
have is the jungle, and the jungle is good to no one, brutal to all.
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