Worth A Second Look?
Opening Prayer
Lord, may Your Word sink deep into my heart and mind today so I hear and obey it.
Read TITUS 2:1-15
[1] You must teach what is in accord with 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. [4] Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. [6] Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. [7] In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. [9] Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, [10] and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. [11] For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. [15] These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How does Paul say we are able to resist ungodliness?“I wish I could be like him.” I can still remember wistfully thinking that of the student friend who led me to Christ. It was his life that hooked me far more than anything he said. He and his friends were classic examples of making “the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (10). In a skeptical world, lifestyles with integrity are what attract many to take a second look.
That’s what Paul expects of a Christian community and he spells out what such integrity looks like for anyone, of any age, gender or social background (1-10). We’re all involved, from old men finishing well, having “sound faith and … filled with love and patience,” to young women trained to love their husbands and children. He assumes neither will necessarily find these roles easy or natural!
Paul is not writing as some petty moralist, but is motivated by the Gospel, the grace of God comes not only to rescue us, but also to transform us (11-15). So between the Savior’s two comings his people are being trained not only to turn their backs on ungodliness, but to eagerly do good.
Apply
Which of these admonitions from Paul do you most need to take to heart? Pray to grow in them.
Closing prayer
Lord, thank You for Your grace; help me to live as one who has clearly been transformed by it.
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