In Titus, chapter 1, Paul gave instructions to Titus on how to appoint godly leaders. In chapter 2, Paul commands Titus and the church leaders to be sound teachers. This includes older men, older women, young men, and even slaves are instructed to demonstrate utter faithfulness to their master so that they might "adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything."
How does a slave obey and show utter faithfulness to a master? This is a concept we, Americans, have a difficult time grasping in the 21st century. However, we must go back to what the church was instructed to be. In Titus 2, older men were to be: self controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. Older women were to be: reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good, and encouraging younger women to love their husbands and children.
Young men were to be: sensible "about everything," an example of good works, having integrity and dignity in teaching, having a message that is beyond reproach so that the opponent would be ashamed and have nothing bad to say.
Since the word sensible was used throughout this chapter, I decided to look it up online. This is what I found on dictionary.com.
Synonyms
1. intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable. See practical. 2. conscious, understanding, observant. 4. perceptible, discernible, palpable.
At this point, I have modified my blog from my original post. How does sensibility, intelligence, consciousness, and understanding (a few of the key words above) relate back to sound teaching?
The words intelligent and sagacious remind me of the many scriptures that explain how we are to seek wisdom from God. Some examples: 1 Corinthians 1, James 1:5.
And applying this wisdom to faith, it is impossible to please God if we do not have faith, live a life worthy of Him, evidenced by good works (Colossians 1:10).
In the Bible in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8-10, we learn that it is not good works that save us, it is our faith--the good works result from this faith and this relationship with God:
At this point, I have modified my blog from my original post. How does sensibility, intelligence, consciousness, and understanding (a few of the key words above) relate back to sound teaching?
The words intelligent and sagacious remind me of the many scriptures that explain how we are to seek wisdom from God. Some examples: 1 Corinthians 1, James 1:5.
And applying this wisdom to faith, it is impossible to please God if we do not have faith, live a life worthy of Him, evidenced by good works (Colossians 1:10).
In the Bible in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8-10, we learn that it is not good works that save us, it is our faith--the good works result from this faith and this relationship with God:
"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."
The last part of Titus 2 concludes with verses 11-15, and they are very important and noteworthy for all people as an eternal promise and gift from God, if we choose to accept His gift of salvation.
"For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works. Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
No comments:
Post a Comment