“These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” Titus 2:15
Teach. Encourage. Respect.
Three items on Titus’ to do list, and three items that should be on ours too.
Titus was urged by Paul to teach. The teachings included practical advice for the contemporary Christians. Some Christians during this time believed the wrong things, and behaved the wrong way. This was the result of false teaching. Titus had to correct the people who were wrong, and he had to be firm with them.
In addition to teaching, Titus was responsible for encouraging the Christians. One way to encourage is to tell others what God has done in the past for you. To further that, we can be encouraged by what God has promised us in the future. “so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life”. Titus 3:7b
To be effective at encouraging, one would have had to provide kindness; treating others in a considerate, hospitable manner, and assisting them in their needs. When a foundation of kindness has been established you can then challenge them in their daily walk (correction).
Proper correction will lead to respect. This is evident with children towards their parents (hopefully) and would be the same for Titus. He had something important to teach them and he needed their respect. One important way of achieving respect, is to behave the correct way.
“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 2:7-8
I found today’s reading to be a very useful manual. Titus is a short book within the Bible, but its message is big. Every Christian should be self-controlled in their life, and eager to oppose sin while pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
I love this book and actually memorized it a couple years ago. I've since forgotten parts of it but love reading the familiar words!
This is one of my favourites parts....
3:5-7 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Soirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Love the truth in that passage and the confident hope it gives us as believers!
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