Titus 2
Titus 2:1-15 (NKJV)
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
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.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Where there is an experience of salvation, there will be an observable transformation of conduct that reflects and demonstrates the reality of our new creation in Christ. Though this is coming from an inward change, there is yet a need for a description of what it will look like as a standard to be taught and upheld. Godliness is not just about a spiritual ascendance that requires no consideration of behavior. The very grace that amazingly delivered us from the condemnation of transgression has an ongoing effect of guiding us into a lifestyle of order and honor that effectively represents the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice. It’s not just about the evil deeds we’ve been delivered from, but what we’ve been delivered to – good works that come from His special people, purified and set apart unto Him.