When I was attending public school, I rode the school bus. And after many days, weeks, and months passed, I soon became acquainted with some of my fellow bus-riding mates.
One of them was a guy named Marcus.
Whenever somebody asked what was Marcus’ name, Marcus would say,
“My name’s Marcus.”
“Really?” The questioner would reply. “You sure look like a Marcus.”
And everyone–I’m not kidding–would say that whenever they met Marcus.
“You sure look like a Marcus.”
I’ve thought over that response for many years.
From Marcus To Titus
In Titus 1:4, Paul writes a letter to Titus, calling him “a true son in our common faith.”
What kind of person must’ve Titus been that prompted Paul to write that?
According to certain Bible commentaries, Titus was probably an Antiochian Gentile who was converted to Christianity by Paul.
2 Corinthians 7:13-15 gives us an idea of what Titus must’ve been like, according to Paul. In verse 15, it states that–
“[Titus’] affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.”
(2 Corinthians 7:15)
The original Greek term for affection used in this verse is the word splagchnon (σπλάγχνον). This word has multiple definitions, but the most likeliest definition that’s applied to Titus is this definition: “A heart in which mercy resides.”
So, we could fairly conclude that Titus was a very merciful young man, a kind gentleman; someone who had a warm, loving spirit.
I honestly wonder if Titus, when he was serving on the island of Crete (see Titus 1:5), he’d meet some native Cretans and they’d ask about his name. I wonder if the conversation went something like:
Cretan: So, what’s your name?
Titus: My name’s Titus.
Cretan: Really? Well, you sure look like a Titus!
Do you even know what Titus’ name means?
It’s based on a Greek masculine proper noun that means “nurse.”
Can you imagine? This guy had a name that contains a meaning that’s typically associated with a caregiver. Yet, he lived up to the meaning of his name. He was kind, merciful, affectionate, and caring.
From Marcus To Titus To Us
Now, let’s fast forward to today. When you introduce yourself to people, and say you’re a Christian, how do they respond?
Do they say,
“Really? You sure look like a Christian!”
Listen to what Jesus has to say on this topic in Matthew 5:16–
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)
When people look at you, do they see a Christian?
Do they see a Christian that shines with the burning torch light of God’s love, hope, peace, and joy?
Do they see a true child of God?
Or do they just see someone who is just stressed out all the time just like them?
Do they just see someone who dresses in the trendiest colors?
Do they see just someone who is constantly getting into frivolous debates online?
Do they see just someone who has more social media followers than they do?
Do you live up to your name as a Christian?
Can someone really say, like Paul, that you are a “true” son, a “true” daughter, in the common faith–just like Titus?
A Prayer
Dear reader, is it your desire to not just PROFESS to be a Christian but to actually LOOK like a Christian? Do you long to–like Titus–be seen by others as a loving, true child of God in the common faith?
If so, then I wanna encourage you to pray:
I’d like to conclude this blog post with a song called Do They See Jesus In Me?. I hope and pray that as you listen to it, it will encourage you to focus more on living a life that reveals Jesus to others, rather than a life that reveals self, so people may be able to look and see that we are truly “true [children] in the common faith.”
Amen! Maranatha!