Worthless Words
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed. Titus 1:16
Profess – We need a new vocabulary for the idea of a “confession of faith.” We need a vocabulary that actually describes “faith” as a verb, not a noun. Why? Because professing to know God means nothing unless there is a radical change in behavior.
The Greek verb here is homologeo. It literally means, “to say the same.” The idea is that my words are aligned with another person’s words. We say the same thing. In Christian parlance, that usually means that I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Paul has no argument with that. He is simply pointing out that Greek confessions are not Hebrew transformations. Unless we know the difference – and do something about it – we are going to be condemned by this verse.
The problem is really rooted in our view of professing. In a Greek-based culture, we believe that having the right information is the goal. We place emphasis on proper and correct knowledge. If people say that they believe certain statements, we applaud. After all, having rationally justifiable true beliefs demonstrates superior intellectual comprehension, and in the Greek world, the goal is getting all the answers right. From education to economics, the Greek ideal of right answers shows up everywhere in our culture. Of course, it also infects the church. As long as I acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, I pass the exam.
That view is anathema in Hebrew thought. The Hebrew worldview is about right action, not about right answers. If there is no behavioral consequence to my verbal proclamation, I am a liar, even if what I say is absolutely true fact. From a Hebrew perspective, the goal is about what I do, not necessarily what I say. Now you have a framework for understanding Jesus’ parable about the son who says he won’t do what the father asks, but later actually does it. The son who professed his willingness but never did what he said he would is the one who is condemned.
This distinction is a huge problem in the church today. Christianity is being practiced as if it were Greek philosophy. In other words, to be a Christian all I need to do is subscribe to a set of creedal proclamations. As long as my words are right, I am included in membership. What would happen if we started acting as Hebrew believers? Probably the first thing that would happen is a mass exodus from the pews. All those members whose lives are behavioral denials of God’s character would need to exit. The church is not for them. Their words are worthless unless they are backed up with godly action. Don’t tell me that you believe in a God of compassion when you don’t weep over your neighbor’s infidelity. Don’t tell me that you believe that Jesus forgives your sins when you hold grudges. Don’t tell me that you believe in God’s power to restore when you refuse to humble yourself. Paul and Jesus say the same thing: You will know them by their deeds, not their words.
True Christianity is wordless worship. Frankly, Jesus didn’t have to say a thing to make His presence felt. His life was the gospel read in flesh and blood. Is your life like that?
Topical Index: Professing
