January 12, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Titus? Here’s today’s reading:
Titus 2 (NIV)
Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.……Continue Reading
11 ¶ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2 Paul instructs Titus on right living in the church, it’s an instruction for us
as well. Older people in the church have to be an example for younger people
men and women. It’s important for older women to teach what is good and love their husbands so younger women can see that. If we live by the teachings of the word we can be that example especially in front of nonbelievers who are quick to judge us. We need not to give them a reason to do that. We have been given the Grace of God, and we have been redeemed. So we need to live that through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Let our light shine so others can see that.
Paul`s instructions to Titus is to teach sound doctrine in so doing he gives how believers should behave in the church. Starting with the older men, then older women, then younger women, and younger men. In this the older women are to teach the younger women. The example of the church in this way would be to reflect the light of Christ for bad behavior would only show darkness. And if the living church is like the world and in darkness how can it show the light of Christ. We are to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify God. To not hide our light under a bushel. Also we are to be salt to the world but if we have lost our taste how shall we be able to lead people to Christ. We would be useless. Matthew 5;13-16. Jesus Christ died and rose again that all men could be saved and He wants us as believers to tell people the gospel so they could also be saved. That`s our part. May we all desire to be useful vessels for His glory.
Titus 2
Titus 2
It struck me the number of times Paul asks Titus to instruct people (as well as handle himself) to act in such a way not to discredit the message of Christ. Our testimony to others is a vital part of our Christian lives and how bad it is when we don’t even live up to a standard that the world would see as good. We have certainly strayed away from the traditional roles within marriage and family and yet Paul’s instruction here still has value and we are wise to consider whether our straying is to our benefit or our injury. But may we all function in the integrity, self control and purity that is encouraged here. Even the grace that God gives us is not intended to justify sin, but to foster obedience. Jesus did not save us from wickedness just so we would use His provisions to reengage in it. He desired to purify for Himself a people eager to do what is good. May we fulfill Jesus’ desire!
We are ambassadors for Christ and while the world has fallen far away from the things of God and their behavior reflects that it makes it all the more important that we need to be examples to the world. We certainly can’t expect to share the gospel and expectation of living a Christ filled life if we don’t practice that ourselves. So as Paul reminds Titus what to teach the people he reminds him to do it himself as well.