The Way - Day 172 (Titus 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
TITUS 2:1-10
In the first chapter of Titus, Paul spent most of his words addressing the characteristics of leaders in the church. In order for a church to attain God's calling, they must be led by those who are spiritually mature in the faith (Titus 1:5-16). However, when godly leadership is in place, those who make up the church must also seek to live godly lives. Paul gets very specific about the character of different people groups within the church and provides exactly what is expected from the Cretan Christians. Before Paul expounds the list he gives the key to godly character - a proper response to biblical truth (2:1). As the word of God is faithfully preached by the leaders, people should respond to the truth by modeling a holy lifestyle. The first group of people Paul addresses is the older men. He commands that they "be sober [sensible], reverent [dignified], sound in faith, in love, in patience" (2:2). Secondly, he advises the older women. The older women must be "reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things" (2:3). Along with these character issues, the older women are also given the responsibility to teach the younger women "to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet [appropriate in all situations], chaste [pure], homemakers [keeping a peaceful home for her husband and children], good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed" (2:4-5). The younger men should be "sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you" (2:6-8). Last, Paul gives the character of the employees. Those who work for another should "be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering [stealing money], but showing all good fidelity [loyalty], that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things' (2:9-10). Although this is a large list of character points, you need to find which category you fit in and make these characteristics a part of your life. When you have godly character, you honor God and the outside world is drawn to Him. Seek to live a life worthy of that which you believe. Model Christian character in your words, your attitudes, your actions, and your reactions. Allow God to shape your life through His truth.

TITUS 2:11-15
In Titus 1, Paul had addressed the character of leadership in the church and provided him with the qualities which make a leader effective in ministry. In Titus 2, Paul dealt with the character of those within the church and the importance of modeling a godly lifestyle. The church could not reach its full potential in the community until righteous behavior characterized the people. So, what makes a person live an obedient lifestyle before God and others? Paul has already alluded to the answer - proper doctrine. When a person has the right belief system, it should lead to right attitudes and actions. And when a leader is clothed with integrity and those within the church are living right, God's will is being fulfilled. To remind them of this, Paul writes "for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (2:11-12). In essence, Paul is saying that genuine salvation has the ability to change someones actions and cause them to resist the power of sin over them. New life in Christ should result in a transformed life before God and others. Paul writes in Romans 6:6-7 - "...our old man was crucified with Him [Christ], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died [with Christ] has been freed from sin." To the Cretans, this should have been good news - they no longer had to live under the power and control of sin! Now God's people should be able to look "for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing [the rapture and millennial kingdom] of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:13). Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for our sin so that He could "redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (2:14). The church has been saved in order to do good. Are you characterized by good works toward God and others?

Dear God, make me zealous for good works and realize that I do not have to live under sin's control.