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.
There is a defense of the truth that has to do with convincing information, but then, there is a much more persuasive contention that is the demonstration of that truth in a life that is living it. There is a grace that liberates from the condemnation our past transgressions would impose upon us, but then, there is a grace that liberates from the power of those same transgressions to continue their imposing dominance. To walk in the newness of life that is ours in Christ is to display the nature of the One with whom we’ve been united, not to continue in the behavior of the former nature. Through every phase of life, and for those in all walks of life, there is a way that new nature will look, not simply yielding to compromise in any area of holiness, but completely transformed and submitting to the way of freedom. It is by this transparency into new life that the Word is kept from being blasphemed, and any opponents are given no fuel for their reasoning. Representing the heart of the Father can only be legitimately done through those who are zealous for His works and showing the power of grace in godliness. It’s in this pursuit that hope is blessed and hearts are kept from ungodliness in lives that have become living epistles of the good news.
Verse 10 is talking about servants being obedient to their masters, but Paul is exhorting Titus to help him continue the building of the church as he was instructed to do. If we look at this verse in the context of us being servants of God in His church, this verse stuck out to me!
“Nor to steal by taking things of small value, but to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching [which is] from and about God our Savior.” Titus 2:10 AMPC
There is an importance to be Loyal, entirely reliable, faithful and to exude fidelity when we are placed into a church body. This is not only God’s will for us to be joined together, but it is His command that we grow, operate and function together. This is a good self reflection for me and for all of us today, are we loyal to our church? To our pastors? Do we exude fidelity or are we running around on the body God has placed us into?