Titus 2:2-10
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 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. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 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. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 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. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 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.“
Titus 2:2-10 NIV
Times today are not so different from the time of Paul's earthly ministry. No matter what age we may be, may we seek to carry out Paul's timeless instructions on godly behaviour in our life and ministry, to God's praise and glory.
Older Men would you rather live closed off from others, avoiding accountability, and unhealthy in your spiritual life? Or would you rather live a life that is sober, honorable, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and steadfastness?
The tendency is to grow more stubborn in the way you think and act. There is a selfish desire to do things when and how you want to do them without any consideration for others. The problem might not be how you are living, but who you are modeling it for.
Older Women would you rather gossip with peers over a bottle of wine rather than mentor younger women? I’m not asking what you know you are supposed to want to do, but what you tend to desire.
Older women, much like the older men, can either set the trend of Godly character, or they can fade into the background doing little more than wagging their fingers.
The culture has been attacking biblical values since the Word of God was written. One of the primary means God uses to train up the church is through the willingness of older generations to lead the younger generations.
Sound doctrine promotes sound character. This implies that those who lead possess both.
Younger Women would you rather forsake your role as a wife and mother in pursuit of a career? The feminist movement has taken a radical stance against sexist instructions like these. Staying at home is viewed as weak.
When we trust the state with the task of taking care of our children eight hours a day, we’ve given up far more than we can ever hope to recover at the dinner table. Keep in mind, this goes beyond the instructions they receive, and includes the example that is set for them by their teachers and peers.
Younger Men would you rather live recklessly without boundaries than learn self-control? You are the spiritual leaders of your home.
Focusing on the younger men brought Titus himself to Paul’s mind. Titus was to be an example for the young men to follow.
Those that are leaders and teachers would you rather keep your teaching separate from your life so you don’t have to model integrity and good works? You are to model good works for others, but the bulk of the instruction is regarding your teaching.
Slaves/Employees would you rather fume in anger towards your boss with an argumentative attitude than consider how your work ethic might adorn the doctrine of God? It can be a lot easier to think of our work life as separate from our Christianity. But the reformed faith has always promoted a robust theology of vocation. Your work is your calling. Worship through your work
We are liable to read this passage from a moralistic perspective if we read it in isolation. We look at our moral failure and think we’re going to really try hard this time to apply the passage to our lives so we will change. But when we realize it is the grace of God that brought salvation which trains us, we look outside of ourselves to Christ and let Him complete what He has begun.
Jesus doesn’t let us remain as we are. He enters into our hearts and changes our desires. Just know that He works at different speeds and depths in all of us. The more we understand of sound teaching the more we will practice sound living!
Father, thank You for this day and for Word of life. Lord, let Your abundant blessings rain down over my friend and family today. Lord, You want us to live worthy of respect, to curb our passions and resist the temptation to be lazy or crazy in our ways. Lord, You want us trusting firmly in Your Word and not wavering with doubt. Lord, You want us to love people deeply instead of withdrawing into ourselves. You want us to endure hardship with a reliant hope in Your deliverance. Lord, use us to be someone’s blessing today.
Father, we love you. Amen
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