[:en]SCRIPTURE: TITUS 2
“You must teach what is in according with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1)
“In everything set them as 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)
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12)
Paul specifically mentioned about what should be taught to three groups of people in the church:
- The Seniors – Older men are to be temperate, respectable, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Older women are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderer or drunkards. They should teach what is good and train younger women to love their husbands and children. They are to be self-controlled, pure, industrious, kind and submissive.
- The Young Men & Women – Young man should be self-controlled and show good examples. He should be serious, sincere, and blameless. He should be careful in his speech so that opposers cannot find something to criticize him. Young woman should love her husband and children. She should be a good wife and mother, taking care of the family. She should have careful conduct and good testimony.
- Servants – They should be honest, obedient, submissive, trustworthy and not to talk back to their master. They should please their masters by doing their work faithfully.
Some Christians misunderstood the “grace of God” as a license to sin. Paul taught that the believer is not under law but under grace. However, grace teaches us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present world.
LESSON:
Whatever group of people you belong to, let us live a serious, pure and dedicated life in this present world. Let us keep our Christian walk, looking forward to the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and share His glory.
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