Titus 2
Margaret,
the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept
sticking her nose into other people's business.
Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!
Several members did not approve of her extra-curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing!
Frank,
a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away.
He didn't explain, defend, or deny.
He said nothing.
He said nothing.
Later
that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Margaret's house,
walked home... and left it there all night. (You gotta love Frank!)
That joke goes around on e-mails from
time to time, and we enjoy a laugh at Margaret’s expense when she gets her
comeuppance. However, there is an
important message here that relates to Titus 2.
Christians are, indeed, to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus is also urged to teach “sound” doctrine
– that is doctrine that is healthy and healthful. Another word would be “salutary”.
Sin (including the sin of gossip) is
always detrimental to community, the Church, our witness, and our lives. Therefore, how we live matters. Our good works, high ethics, and strong morals
convey a message to the world, and so does the lack thereof.
So should we go out and beat ourselves
up to make ourselves more disciplined?
Work hard to really get our act together? Well.… No.
Instead, Paul urges us to put our focus on the grace of God which has appeared. Literally, it shines. Look to your salvation, and, especially, your
Savior. Jesus gave himself to purify us and
make us His people who are zealous for good works. He does that in us. It is in His grace and salvation that we find
ourselves reconciled to God, and a new desire arising in us; the desire to live
shining His grace to all.
Lord, let my life shine with Your grace and
salvation in all I do. Amen.
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