Titus (Part 2)

In months before his execution by the Nazis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: "I fear that Christians who stand with only one leg upon earth, also stand with only one leg in heaven."  How many people do we know like that today?  Many Christians today separate themselves from the world.  But unfortunately, we must live in this world; a world that is broken and wicked.  But God has called us to minister to the world and in everything must be measured against the Word of God.  We must live in a way in which the outside world considers to be respectable.  However, wherever the culture encourages or advocates behavior that violates the will of God, the church must make its stand for God.  God's values must never be compromised.  Only faith in Christ can produce godly living.  And that is exactly what Titus 2 is about!

"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine."  Titus 2:1 (NIV)

 Paul wanted to restore social stability and protect the church's witness.  Christian ethics and its message are the same.  We have many cultures and adversaries who have rejected Christianity and have tried to distort its message.  The Christian message is the source of the real Christian life.  Without salvation through Jesus Christ there can be no ethics.  Furthermore it's through a godly lifestyle that outsiders gain insight.  It adorns the gospel and when others witness Christ actively in you, it makes them long for the same.  Titus 2 calls for our lifestyle to be subjected to the test of biblical principles.

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance."  Titus 2:2 (NIV)

Someone stated once that "Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys." When I think of godly older men, I think of someone who is calm and gentle (i.e. temperate), respectable; soft spoken yet deliberate; truly a dignified individual.  His endurance is his commitment to this life.  He has put away foolish things, who has become an honorable man.  He's the grandfather fishing with his grandchildren.  He's the father taking his son to church every Sunday.  He's the teenager who takes the time to befriend his little brother.

"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." Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)

 Older women have the same callings as older men.  They should exhibit respectable behavior.  They should avoid being gossips, drunks and should teach what is good.  Teach what is good reminds older women that they are responsible to model the acceptable and respectable life for younger women.  We have a mindset today that often excludes the older people.  We often push them aside because we feel they have nothing to offer us.  But that's not true.  Older people have experienced much more than us young folks.  What I wouldn't give to learn of my grandmother's secrets of godly living and how that spilled over to her relationship with grandpa; my mom and uncle; her friends and neighbors; even the people that she went to church with.  I just can't help but think that her wisdom could have saved me from a lot of unnecessary grief.

I have to laugh at the mention of my grandmother and the wine in this passage of scripture; and she'd probably be mortified for me even saying this!  She suffered from diabetes and heart disease.  Her doctor had advised her to get some wine and drink a cup every night.  My grandmother didn't drink and as far as I knew, never had.  She was so embarrassed going to the liquor store to get wine.  I can remember her making my mom drive clear across town because she was afraid someone from the church might see us.  I guess that's one example I take to heart.  I don't drink.  I don't like the taste of it.

Busy at home.  Both my mom and my grandmother have exemplified that.  Mom would always plan vacation around "projects" and somehow they always fell on a holiday and, lucky for me, I was drafted into helping!  Seriously, both women worked spring through the fall in the garden (along with my dad and grandpa).  They'd spend days upon days preparing vegetables to either can or freeze.  They processed deer meat, canned soup and jam.  And aside from keeping the house clean and laundry done, my mom sewed all our clothes.   These are all the things that fascinate me and I'm learning these skills.

"Similaryly, 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." Titus 2:6-8 (NIV)

 I can't help but think of the group of teenage boys in our neighborhood who have wrecked havoc on our neighborhood for the past 2 years or more.  The ringleader of the group does not have a godly leader teaching him the right things.  Instead they are manipulated with drugs and alcohol, which as carried over into the other boys who choose to hang out with him.  Every other word out of his mouth is vulgar.  He is full of hate and disrespect.  Unfortunately his story is far too often the norm.  How different would society be if we had strong, faithful men to be examples to these young men?  Someone who could show them how to be self-controlled, honorable and respectful.  What if we raised up our young men to show compassion; to reach out to fellow man; to show genuine faith; to be the direct opposite of the teenagers we see today?  Teenagers that were significant, honorable, respectable, humble and obedient.  Young men who signifies Christ.

"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 2:9-10  (NIV)

Granted today we do not have "slaves," but I would like to think of this as an employee/employer relationship.  Employees are to be obedient and respectful toward their supervisors at all times.  We have a responsibility to be model employees and give complete recognition of the "master's" authority.  We must seek to please our employers.  We must strive to do our best.  We must be compliant.  We shouldn't talk about or argue with our employer.  We should be honest and trustworthy.  I'm not going to start sharing workplace experience, because Lord knows I've got them!  Instead I'm going to reflect on an incident that happened when I was 15 or 16.  It was closing ceremonies for our softball league.  The team in which I played for were in first place, so we knew we'd be called forward to accept trophies.  All year our coaches hounded us about looking "respectable" and keeping our shirts tucked into our pants.  We were champions and we'd look the part.  Well, several of the girls got together and talked the others that when we accepted our trophies that we would un-tuck our shirts as an "in your face" to the coaches.  I don't know if I was the only one, but I refused to do it.  I would not disrespect my coaches (who I considered my "supervisor") but doing that.  Where everyone around me was disrespectful or apathetic to those who were in authority, Christ within me demanded a respectful attitude.  That day my actions demonstrated my indifference to the world's norm.  It was a testament to my God and was an opportunity to witness.  With that being said, I'll finish up the rest of the book:

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 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.  These, then, are the things you should teach.  Encourage and rebuke with all authority.  Do not let anyone despise you." Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)

God's name is slandered when His people behave ungodly.  Respectable behavior bears witness to the power and truth of God and enhances the church's witness.



Click here for Titus (Part 3)