Titus 2:15-3:2 (Day 6)

Titus 2:15-3:2 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

 ¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 3

Doing What Is Good

 ¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

The Gracious behavior that results from Grace

2:15 - Like Timothy, Titus was told to step out aggressively in his public ministry, encouraging those who were doing well, rebuking those who needed to be corrected, being intimidated by no one.

I struggle with this a lot. Even thinking about Paul preaching in Acts. What's the right balance? Can I preach boldly like that? Do I have the proper authority? I don't know. I don't think so because there's so many areas I still need to change in. I think I'll focus on letting my life do the talking but pray that when there is a time for it, God will give me the right words to say (Matt 10:19).

3:1-2 - A large part of any pastor's ministry is reminding the people of what they already know (Phil 3:1).

• Titus was to remind Christians in Crete to be good citizens within their communities - a virtue in which Cretans were notoriously deficient. 
• This behavior will adorn the gospel and make it attractive to others. 

This falls inline with what Paul wrote earlier in not wanting younger women to malign the Word of God. I think we as Christians must very much underestimate how our example could lead people to Christ and could drive them away forever. This was a big deal to Paul, and it's an even bigger one with God. I don't want to be the cause of anyone not wanting to be a Christian. Jesus, please help me to see the seriousness of this. Help me to change and live my life is such a way that I make Your story attractive.

What's Expected of Christian Citizens

1. To be subject to rulers and authorities
2. To be obedient
3. To be reading to do whatever is good
4. To slander no one
5. To be peaceable
6. Considerate
7. and to show true humility toward all men

• A Christian citizen should be an influence for good in the community in every way, demonstrating the loveliness of Christ to all through courteous and gracious behavior. 
• This is precisely the lifestyle that results from understanding God's grace. ie. the instructions in Titus 2:15-3:2 must be seen as concrete examples of the behavior required of one who understands God's grace. 

Ready to do whatever is good - slander no one - peaceable - considerate - showing true humility toward all men. Let me just say that I struggle greatly with these. I want to demonstrate the loveliness of Christ, through courteous and gracious behavior. Jesus, help me to understand Your grace so that this is more of an outflowing of Your Spirit than me have to strive to live up to them. I think I struggle with this the most in my Social Work classes. A lot of their beliefs are so far from mine and it seems like the best way to handle it is to be big and bad so people hear your voice and know you're serious. That way they know they can't walk all over you if you have a different opinion. Jesus, help me to show these things in my social work classes. I think I'll write this verse on the inside of my journal and read it before each class. I pray that You'll work in me and help me to truly make You look attractive in my thoughts, opinions and actions. I want You to be what they see and that's not going to happen if I'm acting, talking and looking like the rest of the world. Jesus, thank You for Your Word. I pray that it continues to change me and that I continue to make it a priority once school starts next week. Thank You, God. Amen.