Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Well, Paul, why don’t you tell us what you really think of the Cretans! This chapter is unusual in being so negative about a whole group of people, but Paul obviously wasn’t talking about everyone who lived on Crete, because there were people there who had received the Gospel in such numbers that he wanted Titus to “appoint elders in every town.” (verse 5) That said, this was evidently a pretty debased society with low moral expectations. Even in such a society, however, people were getting saved and added to the Family of God, so Titus was to act accordingly. This particular verse is not only true, it is extremely appropriate for American society today. There is a significant section of society – not as big as they want us to think, but significant nonetheless – that indeed throws out all standards of purity and morality, calling light darkness and evil good. They are currently on full display, as restrictions on their “sacrament” of abortion have been legalized. We aren’t to despise the people, but we are to hate what they espouse, holding onto Biblical standards even, or especially, in the face of the now clearly demonic attacks that are coming. We indeed need to take better care of girls in trouble and their children, but killing the children was never the right answer. The circumstances of a life being created can’t remove the value or purity of that life itself. We need to let God show us His purity in all things, and live accordingly.

One of the saddest things to me about the current situation is who is upset. Many are “the usual suspects,” but there are those who grieve me by their response. It all comes down to a worship of hedonism, which has been endemic in mankind since the earliest days. The Old Testament is full of such accounts, and history reinforces the record. I am not to feel, much less act, holier-than-thou, but rather keep praying and loving. As Jude put it, “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23) I’m not to let “societal norms” sway me from Biblical standards, but I am always to speak the truth in love.

Father, thank You for the glimpses of sanity that are appearing. Help me be faithful to keep praying, not condemning but extending Your hand of grace, so that as many as will may repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!