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Defective Christians
Titus 1:13
"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;"
Have you ever gone to the store to purchase something that you really wanted only to get home and find the product defective? It is very disappointing when this happens. It is disappointing because you looked forward to having this product, and now, though you may have it in your hands, you will have to wait until you can get the product replaced.
I wonder how many people are disappointed with Christianity because of defective Christians. People hear that Christianity makes people better, but they deal with Christians who are defective in what they are supposed to be. God commands us to avoid being a defective Christian. When you read the Books of Timothy and Titus, you will see the word "sound" is often used. The word "sound" means, "undecided, whole, not defective." Each time this word is mentioned, God tells us where we must work at in being sound, or not defective.
2 Timothy 4:3 says, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" In this verse, God is showing us that He does not want our doctrine to be defective. If you are going to have sound doctrine, then you need to study the Scriptures to know what is good doctrine. Too often we take the words of a well-known preacher as doctrine, and nobody should ever be given this privilege. The Word of God is where doctrine is found. Whenever you hear a preacher teach something contrary to the Scriptures, then you must always adhere to the Scriptures and not to the man of God. Christian, be sure that what you believe in is found in the Scriptures. Don't let your doctrine become defective with the philosophies of man.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God warns us in this verse to make sure we don't have a defective mind. Let me ask you, with what are you filling your mind? Too many people are filling their minds with worldly pollutions, and then they wonder why they struggle in their Christian life. It is crucial that you protect your mind. Most of the Christian life is derived in the mind. When you have a defective mind because of sin, then you will find your Christian life to be defective.
2 Timothy 1:13 says, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Here we find that we must guard our words from being defective. If you don't protect what you think, then you will find what you say will be defective. As a Christian, you need to be sure that every word that comes from your mouth is glorifying to God. Whether the words are spoken privately in the home or publicly in the church or workplace, your words need to be words that build people and not tear them down.
Last, the verse above teaches us to be "...sound in the faith." The Christian life will only be lived successfully by those who live by faith. When you fill your life with doubt, then your faith will be defective. You build your faith by serving God. If you read the Scriptures, protect what fills your mind, guard the words you say, but don't do anything to serve God, then your faith will be defective. It is important for you to be involved with your church, for this is where you serve God and build your faith.
Are you a defective Christian, or is your Christian life sound? If you are sound in doctrine, mind, words and faith, then you will find that your Christian life will be what God wants it to be. Furthermore, these four areas are what it takes to have longevity in your Christian life. Without them you will eventually fail.