Titus 3:8b-11.   Paul instructs Titus to proclaim the gospel of justification by grace (5) and to also insist that the church devote themselves to good works (1, 8, 14).  The good works are in response to the Holy Spirit’s washing and renewal (5), and will draw people to the gospel message by showing its relevance and power.  In this section, Paul identifies the things that will distract the church from both the gospel message, and the good works that authenticate it. They are:

1. foolish controversies,
2. genealogies,
3. dissensions,
4. quarrels about the law,
5. people who stir up division.

Anything that distracts the church from proclaiming the gospel or living it out in their community could be added to the list.  The mission of the church is to proclaim the message of what Christ did for us until he comes gain for us.  Meanwhile, we are to validate and demonstrate that gospel by lives so exemplary that the lost sit up and take notice.

What gets in the way of that mission is the tendency to get sidetracked on issues that may even have merit, but compared to proclaiming the gospel they are foolishness.

LORD, as we press on to proclaim your salvation and demonstrate it by our godly lives, help us to avoid any commitments that are not really fruitful for your kingdom.