Today's reading: Titus
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Titus 3: 9 NRSV
Paul is giving Titus, whom he left in Crete to establish some order in the local churches, advice on how to handle divisions and arguments in the churches. This seems to have been specifically involving Jews and Gentiles. In the above verse, Paul is saying, "Don't even start to argue about the scriptures with someone. It just becomes a stupid waste of time." Paul goes further on to say that, after trying to get someone to stop arguing on two different occasions, stop having anything to do with them. It is pointless and can quickly become sinful.
People within and without the church have started arguments and controversies over scripture. That is one reason we have so many denominations today! The same controversies may be one reason so many claim to be Christian yet don't belong to a worshiping congregation. In the end, however, no one really "'wins." People just get angry, stubborn, hateful and vicious. People stop loving one another and invest themselves in being right and hateful.
That indeed is unprofitable and worthless.
God, help us to avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels about the law or any scripture. Help us to see how unprofitable and worthless it is to argue about such things. Fill our hearts instead with peace, love, and contentment. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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