In the Blocks

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1).

The runners gather at the near the starting line. They shake and stretch their muscles. The tension builds in the crowd and on the track. We’re just moments away from the race. All of the training and all of the preparations, come down to this. The starter stands by the track as the athletes position themselves in the blocks. The buzz in the bleachers builds. The starter gives his first command, “Runners, on your mark.” The anticipation is so thick you could cut it with a chainsaw. “Set.” The stadium is about to explode as the starter raises his pistol. 

This is the scene as we start chapter three of Paul’s letter to Titus. Once new believers know what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10), it’s time to get going. At some point, we have to start running. At some point, we have to put into practice the truth of what we know about Him. At some point, we have to leave the starting block and run the race. We know that “the grace of God has appeared” in the person of Jesus to rescue every one of us (Titus 2:11). We know that His amazing goodness gives us the ability to live for Him right here and right now (Titus 2:12). We know that He’s certain to make His incredible comeback someday soon (Titus 2:13). Once we know our situation, it’s time for the application. Now that we know the “Who” and the “why,” it’s time for the “what.” We’re in the blocks and ready to run the race.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

In those final moments before the start of the race, Paul wants Titus to give us some important final instructions. “Remind them” (v1). In other words, they’ve been told before. This isn’t the first time they’ve heard this. This reminder to be reminded reminds us of our need to remember the basics. As followers of Jesus, we constantly need to hear the Gospel. We need to hear it every single day. We need to be reminded. And we constantly need to remind those around us that everything we need we already have in Christ. Before we can do anything, we absolutely must remember what He’s done for us. Jesus lived the perfect life that I completely failed to live. He died the death for my sin that certainly should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that in no way deserve. I constantly need to be reminded.

Once we leave the starting line, the first Paul wants us to do is be good citizens. “Be submissive to rulers and authorities” (v1). Notice that he doesn’t say to do this when the leaders are good and godly. We don’t just obey folks in charge when they are the people we support and voted for. As a matter of fact, remember the historical setting of this little letter. Rome rules the Mediterranean rim with an iron fist. The infamous Nero sits on the throne. You remember Nero, don’t you? Yeah, it’s that same Nero whose favorite hobby was to torture and execute Jesus’ followers. The apostle says that the quality of the leader isn’t important. Be good citizens. Be light shiners and salt spreaders no matter who’s in charge. Just in case you think this idea was limited to folks living on the island of Crete, Paul told his friends living in the capital city the very same thing (Rom 13:1-7). So did his buddy Peter (1Pet 2:13-17). And this is a guy that Nero eventually crucified upside down. 

Are you looking for loopholes? Are you cheating on your taxes? Are you blowing off the speed limit and blowing the doors off the cars on the interstate? God calls us to obey the law. One of the best ways for us to spread the message of Jesus is by being good citizens. The runner in the race can’t cheat and still win. You don’t leave the blocks early. You don’t cut across the infield. You don’t knock down the other competitors. You race and follow the rules. Be obedient. Do what you’re told. Run the race with integrity. Be a good citizen.

Runners, on your mark. Set.

Paul tells Titus to remind folks “to be ready for every good work” (v1). He uses the Greek word hetoimos, which means healthy, fit, and prepared. The term has a sense of certainty and anticipation. We’re to be stoked and excited for what’s about to happen. A runner is ripped and ready for the race. Training has prepped the athlete for this very moment. The moment the starter pulls the trigger, we explode from the blocks for “every good work” (v1). This is one of six times in this letter that the apostle tells the Big T about the importance of Christ’s followers doing good works. False teachers disqualify themselves from doing them (Titus 1:16). Jesus saved us as His personally prized possession to be on fire for doing good stuff and God stuff (Titus 2:14). A huge part of Titus’ assignment is to teach believers “to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14). 

This is actually one of Paul’s favorite phrases. He uses it in several different notes to various churches and friends. God drenches us in His grace in every moment of everyday so that we “may abound in every good work” (2Cor 9:8). The apostle prayed that the Christ followers in Colosse would be so overflowing in their relationship with our Savior that they would be “bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:10). When we pursue the holy purpose of God in are lives, we’re like the good china used only for special occasions like Thanksgiving, “ready for every good work” (2Tim 2:21). God gives us His Word to prep us and train us “for every good work” (2Tim 3:17).

But remember that we only do good works and God works because of the ultimate work of Jesus. It’s why He screamed from the cross, “It is finished!” (Jn 20:30). The work of our rescue was over. Done. Complete. There’s nothing more we need to do. We can’t add to what He’s done. There’s not one stinkin’ thing we can do to stay saved. But what we can do are good works and God works that bring Him glory and shine His light to a lost and dying world. Once we know who Jesus is, what He’s done, and who we are in Him, we can run the race of life knowing what to do.

Runners, on your mark. Set. BANG!

With Authority!

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Titus 2:15).

I love dunks. There’s nothing like a basketball player rattling the rim with a power slam. Sure, it might only count on the scoreboard as two points, but registers in other ways. A jam fires up the home crowd or shuts up the fans on the road. Your opponents suddenly realize that you’ve got game. Could the dude have simply laid the ball in the hoop softly and tenderly? You bet. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when you throw it down, you do with authority. (First, a little self disclosure. I can’t dunk. Not on a 10 foot goal. Maybe on Nerf hoop in the bonus room. But just because I can’t, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate!) Now Paul’s not a coach telling Titus to send it in. But he wants to make sure that the Big T understands his rights and responsibilities as a spiritual leader. Teach with authority. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Use your authority but don’t abuse it. 

Throw it down and lead. With authority.

The context of this verse is important. The amazing message of Jesus has absolutely washed over the Mediterranean island of Crete like a Gospel tsunami. The Apostle Paul has moved on to Nicopolis and left his right hand man Titus to wrap things up. His assignment is a three-point plan. First, select spiritual leaders for all the new churches (Titus 1:4). Second, stuff a sock in a pesky posse of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, establish a self-sustaining system of teaching new believers what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-14). If the Big T is going to pull this off, it’s going to take authority. God’s authority. 

Paul tells Titus to “declare these things” (v15). So what “these” are those? The apostle wants his go-to guy to make absolutely sure that he’s teaching healthy and robust doctrine (Titus 2:1). He has specific instructions on what to teach older men and women, younger dudes and dudettes, as well as servants and employees about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:2-6, 9-10). His curriculum of Christ includes the cross in the past, the grace for the present, and His glorious return in the future (Titus 2:11-13). Once we wrap our brains around how much God gave to make us His prized possession, we’ll be absolutely on fire to good things and God things (Titus 2:14). Which things? “These things” (v15). 

I may sound like Captain Obvious here, but we can’t just know what to say and then never say it. I must communicate God’s truth verbally at some point. “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary.” This is a quote attributed (most likely, wrongly) to St. Francis of Assisi. Actions are important. Vitally important. At some point however, words are absolutely necessary. We have to explain the “why” behind the “what” of our Gospel driven actions. At some point, we all must “declare these things” (v15). With authority.

Spiritual leaders also must be able to “exhort and rebuke” (v15). There are some pairings that we can never break up. Bow and arrow. Peanut butter and jelly. Thunder and lightning. One without the other just isn’t the same. You can add “exhort and rebuke” to that list. A good leader does both. They cheer others on when they’re going the right way. And they ready to correct them when they get off track. But you can’t just simply be a cheerleader. And you can’t constantly correct. One without the other isn’t healthy. You need both. Encourage with authority. Correct with authority. Encourage and correct with all authority.

So just what does it mean to lead “with all authority” (v15)? Paul uses the Greek word eptage, which describes the proper exercise of rightful leadership. One scholar says this can be read as “show that you have every right to command.” You’re a leader. You’re legit. You’re bonafide. Not because you think you’re hot stuff, but because God has placed you in a position of influence and leverage. You have authority because you’re under authority. You have to answer to the Lord Jesus for how you’ve led. You’re accountable to Christ. Think about that for just a moment. Let that sink in. Tell me that won’t sober you up.

Like many men and women today, Titus has been given authority. He must use it. We must use it. And we must use it wisely. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Despite pop culture, this quote is from Voltaire, not Spiderman’s Uncle Ben. Don’t abuse your authority. But use it when you need it. Don’t be a bully. Don’t be spiritual thug. There are plenty of those around, ready to pound their victims with a 10 pound King Jimmy. Don’t be that guy. Lead. With authority.

Finally, Paul reminds Titus that some folks will be tempted to blow him off. “Let no one disregard you” (v15). The verb here in the original text is periphroneo. It means to despise, look down on, or overlook. It’s blatantly refusing to recognize the power of something or someone. Let’s face it. Titus knows he’s not Paul. The Cretans know he’s not Paul. It’s easy to see how folks might treat him like a substitute teacher. As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I tell ya, I get no respect!” When God places us in a position of spiritual authority, we can’t let those we lead bum rush us. 

Remember who you are in the eyes of God. He made you in His image. He’s the very source of your authority. Our heavenly Dad gave Jesus all the oomph to command and control. Christ then instructed His followers to use that same clout to tell the world all about Him (Mt 28:18-20). That’s the power behind Titus’ and his teaching. That’s the same power behind us when we rightly teach God’s Word (please notice I said RIGHTLY teach God’s Word). Ultimately our value isn’t in what others think of us. I can rest confidently in what Jesus thinks of me. 

Lead. With authority. 

En Fuego

“who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14)

Back in his days at ESPN, Dan Patrick would let folks watching SportsCenter when an athlete couldn’t be stopped. DP loved to say they were “en fuego!” That’s “on fire” in Espanol. It was his all purpose catch phrase that translated to any sport. Michael Jordan dropping 50 in the playoffs is “en fuego.” Jerry Rice snagging 14 passes for three TDs is “en fuego.” Albert Pujols going 5 for 5 with two homers is “en fuego.” Here in his instructions to Titus, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus personally rescued us so that we would have a burning passion to do good stuff. He sacrificed Himself in order that we would be “en fuego.” 

A huge part of this letter from Paul to Titus are directions on how and what to teach new believers about following Jesus (Titus 2:1-15). The Big T was to make sure senior saints had a handle on the Good News so that they could teach the next generation about who Christ is and what He’s done for us. We apply what Jesus has done for us by doing good works. Good works that make God famous. Good works that bless the people around us. We give because we’ve been given. 

Right out of the chute, the apostle tells us that Jesus “gave Himself for us” (v14). In so many ways, this is THE Big Idea of the Bible. God is a Giver. Get it out of your head that the Almighty sits on the edge of a cloud like some sort of heavenly hall monitor, ready to zap us with a lightning bolt when we break the tiniest rule. Hall monitor, no. Good Giver, yes. He created the universe out of the overflow of His goodness and He’s never stopped giving. The pages of Scripture drip with the grace of our incredibly giving God. Jesus told Nick one night about what an incredibly gracious Giver God is. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him  should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Because God loves, God gives. Paul wants his Corinthian buddies to join in and shout, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible Gift!” (2Cor 9:15). By “Gift,” he means Jesus!

So just how awesome is this awesome Gift? Jesus gave Himself in order “to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a people for His own possession” (v14). He offered Himself in our place for two reasons. To redeem us. To purify us. Paul’s talking about how someone would redeem a slave or a prisoner. In order to bust somebody free, someone with a wallet full of cash would drop big bucks to make it happen. Think of paying a ransom to a kidnapper. Jesus gave Himself to pay the price for our freedom. He paid a bill so enormous that we could never dream of paying for it ourselves. And He did it with His very own flesh and blood (Acts 20:28). He freed me from my own sinful self. After playing the role of Redeemer, Christ becomes our Purifier. After buying our freedom, He doesn’t just leave us hanging. That’s when He goes to work cleaning us from all of the disgusting sin stains. He didn’t just post our bail. He scrubs us totally clean. This all happens as result of what Luther calls the Great Exchange. “For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21). In other words, Christ takes our sin and gives us His godly goodness. That’s indeed an awesome Gift!

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t make us free and scrub us clean only to move onto His next project. Instead, Christ does this to create in us “a people for His own possession” (v14). He desperately wants a relationship with you and me. He wants to hold us closely. Jesus doesn’t just love you, He likes you. The Apostle Peter pulls no punches when it comes to why the Lord did this. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1Pet 2:9-10). He makes us His own prized possession so that we can shout to the world about just how incredibly good and giving He is.

Jesus redeems and purifies us so that we would be folks “who are zealous for good works” (v14). When we see “zealous” in most of our translations, Paul actually uses the Greek word zelotes. This is someone with a burning passion. It comes from a root word that describes lighting a fire under something and heating it up. What are you stoked to do? Does what Jesus has done for you light a fire under you? Are you boiling with a passion to do something with what He’s done for you? We should all be “en fuego” for Jesus.

We’re to get fired up to do “good works” (v14). This little letter is loaded with references to these “good works.” False teachers actually reject God and because of that they are totally “unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16). Paul tells Titus that he should do everything possible “to be a model of good works” to the people of Crete (Titus 2:7). A critical point to tell new believers is that we should all “be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). A sure sign of faith in Jesus is when people “devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14).

But let’s make sure we’re clear what “good works” are and what they’re not. Don’t buy the lie that we save ourselves by what we do. It’s so stinking easy to no only fall for the fiction that we’re not just responsible to get ourselves into God’s kingdom but staying there too. Drop that nonsense like a bad habit. While doing good works has nothing to do with be saved or staying saved, they are an indication of what Jesus has done for us that we could never dream of doing for ourselves. God saves us by His grace when we place our total trust in what Christ has done (Eph 2:8). He lived the perfect life that I completely failed to live. He died the brutal death for my sin on a bloody cross that I should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that I in no way deserve. I have no reason to brag about how I’ve rescued myself (Eph 2:9). I don’t save myself by my good works, but Jesus saves me to do good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). In other words, our good works are the result of what God has done for us, not how we are saved.

We do good stuff and God stuff when we give ourselves to others. In other words, “good works” are when we give of ourselves and sacrifice like Jesus. It’s doing for folks when they can’t do anything in return for us. We don’t ask what we can get out of doing something good for this person. When we do this in order to get that, we’re as far from grace as we can get. God gives us what you and I absolutely do not deserve when there’s no way in heaven we could do anything for Him. Being fired up with God’s grace is the very definition of “good works.”

Are you on fire? Are you stoked to do good stuff and God stuff? Are you “en fuego?

It's Going to Be...Wait for It...GLORIOUS!

“waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)

As a sports fan, there are times when you just know what’s going to happen. To be truly transparent, that’s usually when there’s no doubt that my team is about to blow the game and go down in flames. I’ll never forget the night when I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my beloved St. Louis Cardinals were going to walk off winners. With the score tied, slugger Albert Pujols came to the plate in the bottom of the 14th inning. In his days wearing the Birds on Bat, he earned the nickname of The Machine because of his incredible reliability. Redbird fans ALWAYS expected something great from Albert. What cemented our confidence was that Odalis Perez was on the mound for the Dodgers, a pitcher who could never shut down The Machine. My son Jason and I were part of the crowd that stood cheering the homer BEFORE it happened. Sure enough, Albert blasted the game-winner into the bleachers and everybody went home happy.

As absolutely certain that we were Pujols would deliver, that’s nothing compared to the confident expectation of Jesus’ spectacular comeback. Paul tells Titus that we’re “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v13). There’s no need to put on a rally cap. No need to cross our fingers. No need to put on our lucky underwear (I’m not sure there’s ever a time to put on some stanky pair of unwashed BVDs, EVER!). Christ is coming back. Count on it. Take it to the bank. It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock. And it’s gonna be spectacular. Actually, it will be glorious. Lights. Fireworks. Cheering. I promise, you haven’t seen anything like this before! Best of all, we can expect it.

Paul is instructing Titus on what Jesus’ followers need to know (Titus 2:1-15). A huge part of the lesson is what Jesus did, what He’s doing now, and what He’s going to do. Christ came the first time “bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). After He returned home to His Father in heaven, His leaves behind His grace which enables us to reject “ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” right here and right now (Titus 2:12). He wraps things up with a look to the future and the absolute certainty of Jesus’ spectacular encore (v13). The past. The present. The future. We can be 100% sure of what will happen because of what has happened. It’s going to be…wait for it…glorious!

When we read “waiting for,” the apostle drops the Greek verb prosdechomai. It means to expect, look for, receive, or welcome. This is the idea of waiting for something so sure that you know it’s going to happen. There’s absolutely no doubt. It’s not “if” but “when.” You expect it. You welcome it. You receive it. You see that confidence and expectation every time you see this verb in the New Testament. The religious police got their undies in a bundle because Jesus “receives (Gr. prosdechomai) sinners and eats with them” (Lk 15:2). Our Savior didn’t just bump into to sinners like you and me. He expects them. He welcomes them. Do you do the same? Do you expect, welcome, and receive folks who don’t know the Good News?

Joseph of Arimathea knew without a shadow of a doubt that the long promised Messiah would come and was “looking for (Gr. prosdechomai) the kingdom of God” (Mk 15:43). The first mega-church in Jerusalem rolled out the red carpet for Paul and Barney after their first expedition and “they were welcomed (Gr. prosdechomai) by the church, the apostles, and the elders” (Acts 15:4). When the dynamic duo left, the church knew they would come back. They waited for them. They expected them. They welcomed them. The Apostle Paul shared his faith in Jesus with Governor Felix and made it clear that he had the same confident expectation in God as the fathers of the faith, “having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept (Gr. prosdechomai)” (Acts 24:15). Jesus’ kid brother Jude wanted Christ followers to have complete confidence in Christ’s great comeback, “waiting for (Gr. prosdechomai) the mercy of our for Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 21). In the same way, we wait for His return. We expect His return. We welcome His return.

In case you’re wondering how this is all going to go down, Paul pulls out the pyrotechnics to paint a jaw-dropping picture. When the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter returns, this will be “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v13). Don’t be fooled by the phrase “our blessed hope.” Again, this isn’t a cross-your-fingers-and-hope-for-the-best kind of hope. We can take this blessing to the bank. Count on it. Again, “when” might be in question. But the “what” is as certain as death and taxes. 

When Jesus returns, it’s gonna be big. REALLY big. Gloriously big. The universe has NEVER seen an entrance like this before. Paul also leaves no doubt about the fact that Jesus is God. And not just any garden variety god. He’s “our great God” (v13). The adjective he drops here is megas, as in mega. Jesus is our Mega-God. He’s huge. That means that He dwarfs any problem you and I put before Him. He’s also our Savior. We hear that word so much that we almost become numb to it. As our Savior, Jesus is our Hero. He came to our rescue when we had absolutely no hope in saving ourselves. And Jesus is the Christ. Despite popular belief, this isn’t His last name. He’s not the Son of Joseph and Mary Christ of Nazareth. It means the Anointed One. God the Father drenched His Son with the Holy Spirit. The name drips with the entire Trinity. Christ also is the New Testament term for an Old Testament idea. The Christ is equivalent to Messiah. By saying that Jesus is the Christ, we’re telling the world that He’s the One that God has promised would come and fix what we’ve broken. 

You can take off the rally cap. And for Pete’s sake, burn your lucky underwear. Jesus is coming back. It’s going to be huge. Let’s expect Him. Let’s welcome Him. Let’s receive Him. It's going to be...wait for it...GLORIOUS!

Right Here, Right Now

“training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:12)

It’s easy for me to think of what Jesus did for me 2,000 years ago or look forward to what He’s going to do for me after this little tour of duty here on earth wraps up. The cross is in the rearview mirror. Heaven is in my windshield. But what about right here? What about right now? Paul tells Titus that a huge part of what the people of Crete need to learn is that God didn’t give us His grace in the past or the future. It’s for the present. Jesus gives us everything we need to give the Heisman to ungodliness and live lives that honor Him. His grace is for right here and right now.

Before we dig in, let’s remember the reason Paul is writing what we’re reading. It’s about thirty years after Jesus’ resurrection. His Good News is spreading like wildfire throughout the Mediterranean rim. That includes the island of Crete just off the coast of Greece. With new believers all over the place, the apostle instructs his go-to guy Titus to do three critical things. First, find spiritual leaders called elders for all of the churches on the island (Titus 1:5). Two, do whatever he needs to shut down a team of false teachers that are distracting folks truly following Jesus (Titus 1:10-11). Three, set up a self-sustaining system that instructs folks about our ongoing need for the Gospel (Titus 2:1-10). In other words, here’s the connection between Jesus, His grace, and life change! God gives us everything we need to live obedient lives right here and right now.

In the previous verse, Paul tells the Big T that the grace of God really showed up in a big way when Jesus made His amazing personal rescue mission “bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). In verse 13, he reminds us that Christ will make a glorious encore. In between, God gives us the training we desperately need to live counter to the world’s values and “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (v12). In describing this instruction, the man from Tarsus uses the Greek verb paideuo. It means to instruct with the intent of forming proper habits of behavior, to educate, teach, and guide. We’re talking about how parents bring up a child and guide them toward maturity. It speaks to the idea of training someone to learn a new way of living. You may have heard of paideia, a method of teaching kids using both classroom instruction and active learning. That’s the kind of educational environment we’re talking about. We learn as much by making mistakes as by doing things right. Paul describes how God molds character through correction.

This teaching about God’s grace has a two-fold purpose. On one hand, it gives us the power to reject the ungodly conduct that’s destroying my life. I can pound sin and disobedience with a stiff arm that would make Marshawn Lynch shudder. I’m able to renounce, reject, and refuse the lies of the world. On the other, grace plugs me in to the source of strength to now obey what God is telling me to do. It’s two very important steps. One is subtraction. The other is addition. Once I rid myself of the destructive garbage of ungodliness, I can replace it with constructive obedience. Obedience that is for God’s glory. Obedience that is for my own good. Obedience in the right here and right now.

Don’t miss the last phrase Paul writes in this verse: “in the present age” (v12). The apostle is speaking about the period of time after Jesus’ resurrection and before His incredible comeback. That’s what we have in common with the folks living on Crete. We’re living in the same in between time that they were. So this instruction is just as relevant to you and me as it was for them. One day, one very spectacular day, Jesus is coming back. Take it to the bank. His return is a stone cold, lead pipe lock. But what do we do in the meantime? What do we do while we wait patiently and expectantly? Well, we certainly don’t need to be sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, and staring at the sky. The cool thing is that Jesus didn’t leave us hanging while we wait. He gives us the power for the present. 

He gives us His grace for right here and right now.

Grace in the Spotlight

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11).

I absolutely love the excitement just before a great concert. Some legendary rock act has rolled into town. You’ve paid WAY too much for your tickets. But in the moments just before they take the stage, that simply doesn’t matter anymore. The house lights suddenly go out. The crowd cheers with anticipation. Suddenly the spotlight pierces the darkness to illuminate the lead singer and the place goes bananas! That’s exactly the scene that Paul’s describing here in his letter to Titus. No, this isn’t his take on the later tour by the Stones, the Who, or Maroon 5. The apostle reminds us how the place went crazy when God shined His divine spotlight on His Son Jesus in the middle of our dark world. 

It’s grace in the spotlight. And the crowd goes wild!

In many ways, this verse sums up God’s VERY Good News. Period. Grace is God’s absolutely undeserved goodness. We can’t earn it. We can’t buy it. It’s only out of His overflowing love and mercy that we’re on the receiving end of this mind-blowing blessing. God saves us just because He’s so incredibly awesome. One of the mega-ginormous themes of the Bible is that God is an amazing Giver. That’s why we call it amazing grace. He offers His unthinkable blessing to a world full of rebels and rejects. Why? Because He’s good and because He’s God. 

Paul tells us our incredibly good God cut on the spotlight to reveal His grace. When the apostle writes “the grace of God appeared” (v11), he uses the Greek verb epiphaino. It means to give light, illuminate, shine on something for everyone to see. It literally means “to shine light upon.” Check out its three other appearances in the New Testament. God uses the father of John the Baptizer to announce to the world that his boy would “give light (Gr. epiphaino) to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Lk 1:79). When the freighter carrying Paul and Dr. Luke to Rome got caught in a massive hurricane, “neither the sun nor stars appeared (Gr. epiphaino) for many days” (Acts 27:20). Just down the page here in this letter to Titus, the apostle once again describes how “the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared (Gr. epiphaino)” (Titus 3:4). When God’s spotlight hits the stage, His grace shines in the darkness.

It’s grace in the spotlight. And the crowd goes wild.

So just what do we see when God hits the lights? Who is standing at center stage? It’s none other than Jesus! When the Trinity pulls back the curtain, Christ is front and center. You see, Jesus is Grace Incarnate. He is God’s ultimate gift of grace to our horribly undeserving world. Grace isn’t so much an abstract concept but a Person. When Christ made the ultimate rescue mission to earth, He was “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). The crazy thing is that Jesus is both the Light that shines in the darkness (Jn 8:12; 9:5) but the One it reveals. What does God’s grace look like? The better question is WHO does God’s grace look like? Jesus, the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter.

It’s grace in the spotlight. And the crowd goes wild.

The purpose for focusing the attention of God’s goodness on Jesus is because He’s “bringing salvation for all people” (v11). So just what is salvation? For a lot of us, this is a Bible word that’s lost a lot of its oomph over the years. The word in the original language here is soterios. In its most basic sense, the term describes rescue and bringing safety. Think Superman or the Dark Knight coming to save the day just in the nick of time. Simeon had waited expectantly his entire life for God to send His Messiah. When he took one look at the baby Jesus, he knew without a doubt that his “eyes have seen Your salvation (Gr. soterios) that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:30). A huge part of John the Baptizer’s prepping the way for the coming of Jesus was announcing that “all flesh shall see the salvation (Gr. soterios) of God” (Lk 3:6).

Here’s what we need to constantly remember. Jesus left the comforts of His heavenly paradise to make the most breathtaking rescue mission the universe has ever seen. It’s the ultimate dumpster dive. He willingly jumped into the most disgusting pile of sin and filth to save us. To save us from our own sin. To save us from God’s wrath. We desperately needed saving. Jesus told His new buddy Zaccheus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). He’s talking about you. He’s talking about me. We needed a Hero. We needed a Savior. Can we get a spotlight on our Rescuer?

It’s grace in the spotlight. And the crowd goes wild.

Who else is on the receiving end of this rescue mission? According to Paul, that would be “to all people” (v11). In the immediate context of this letter, he’s talking about old men, young dudes, old women, young ladies, and slaves. In other words, EVERYBODY! Jesus’ last words before He headed back home to heaven was for us to take this marvelous message of rescue to every people group on the planet (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The invitation isn’t exclusive. You don’t have to be a member of any particular club or organization. You don’t have to belong to a specific family. You don’t have to live in a certain part of the world. You simply need to know you need to be rescued. 

It’s grace in the spotlight. And the crowd goes wild.

Sticky Fingers and Sticky Faith

“not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10)

I love how my wife decorates our home. She would never consider herself any sort of interior designer, but she’s got a very special touch. Deb’s decorating signature includes lots of pictures. Lots of family pictures. They’re everywhere throughout our house. She adorns our home with snapshots of kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents. Paul tells Titus that we decorate what we believe about God by how we work. He said that bondservants do this by “not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). In other words, we shouldn’t have sticky fingers but a sticky faith.

Paul is in the middle of telling his man Titus how and what to teach new believers on the island of Crete about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). Older dudes teaching younger dudes (Titus 2:2, 6). Older ladies teaching younger ladies (Titus 2:3-5). He wraps this section up with instructions to bondservants. These are slaves and indentured servants who have placed their faith in the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth. A modern application for this would be for every one who works for a living. Every employee should willingly obey their supervisor, work to put a smile on the boss’ face, and not complain and whine about what they have to do (Titus 2:9). The apostle goes on to say that how we work says a lot about what we believe about Jesus.

First of all, a good employee shouldn’t steal, or as Paul writes “not pilfering” (v10). This is the Greek verb nosphizomai, which literally means to separate. If it belongs to the company, it stays there. It this particular sense, it describes embezzling, misappropriation, stealing, and secretly taking stuff for your own use that doesn’t belong to you. Dr. Luke uses this same verb when writing about those early church embezzlers Ananias and Sapphira. This couple sold some real estate and then lied to say they were giving all the proceeds of the sale to God. They “kept back (Gr. nosphizomai)” some portion of profit for themselves (Acts 5:2-3). It’s not that they didn’t give all of the profits to support the new church. Their sin was lying and secretly skimming off the top. 

Don’t embezzle. Do we really need to tell you that? Apparently Paul thinks so. But this is so much more than some white collar crime to misappropriate thousands of dollars from the company coffers. This isn’t about the amount but the sin behind it. Don’t sneak stuff out of the supply closet. Don’t juggle the numbers on your expense report so that you actually make out like a bandit. Don’t steal time by goofing off when you should be working. Every one of these are examples of how each one of us skims from the top. Sticky fingers are a sign that what you and I were taught didn’t stick.

We’re called to be “showing all good faith” when we’re at work. This has a couple of very important aspects. First of all, a follower of Jesus should be faithful and steadfast in their work. We don’t give up when things get tough. We must stick to a project until it’s complete. Our Savior is the ultimate example of powering through in the most difficult circumstances. Aren’t you glad He didn’t give up when it got hard? The other implication is that there should be absolutely no separation between our work life and our faith in Jesus. I haven’t just given Him my Sunday mornings. He’s my Lord 24/7/365. That clearly includes when I’m on the job. My trust in Christ should have a tremendous impact on how I work. It becomes obvious to folks around me at work that what I’ve learned about my faith has stuck.

The Apostle Paul then tells us the reason why first century bondservants and 21st century employees should shine at work. “So that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (v10). A closer look at the original language reveals the verb kosmeo, which means to decorate, embellish, make beautiful and attractive. It’s the same root that gives us our word cosmetics. Jesus slammed the religious police for being hypocrites and spending money to “decorate (Gr. kosmeo) the monuments of the righteous” (Mt 23:29). Christ’s crew was blown away with the ornate decorations of the temple and “how it was adorned (Gr. kosmeo) with noble stones and offerings” (Lk 21:5). Pete writes that women who follow Jesus don’t so much worry about their makeup and wardrobe but “adorn (Gr. kosmeo) themselves, by submitting to their own husbands” (1Pet 3:5). Does how I work make what I know about Jesus more attractive to those around me?

Here’s the deal. If we claim to follow Jesus, my shoddy work, laziness, and a bad attitude trashes His rep. It reveals that we really don’t have an understanding about who He is, what He’s done, and who we are without Him. How we work should make Jesus more attractive and more beautiful to those around us. I’m not talking about slapping a Jesus fish on your car. This isn’t about slinging a cross around your neck. It has nothing to do with dropping a Bible on your desk. All of those things may be awesome. But a great witness for what He’s done in my life is to bust my butt and be a hard worker. Will I fall short? You betcha. Will I bring embarrassment on the One who rescued me? Take it to the bank. But when I do, I must be accountable to my mistakes and know that nothing that happens at work changes my standing in Him. 

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to have sticky faith, not sticky fingers.

Submission Possible

“Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative” (Titus 2:9).

Christians really annoy me at times. It seems like every time I turn around one of the folks on Jesus’ team is doing something that makes me scratch my head. One thing that really ticks me off is when someone who claims to follow Christ is a bad employee. You know the kind. Despite the fish on the car, the Bible on the desk, and the cross around their neck, they are late and lazy. Well, the Apostle Paul instructed Titus to make sure that every one of us who works for the Man isn’t just a good employee, but a great one. We do what we’re told. We do it with a smile. We do it without talking about. Without Christ, it’s next to impossible. As followers of Jesus, this is submission possible.

Before we dig into the specifics of this verse, let’s remember the big picture of what’s going on here. Jesus’ message of God’s grace has turned the island of Crete upside down. As a result, Paul gives Titus a three-point plan. One, put elders in place to fill the leadership void in every church (Titus 1:5). Two, shut down and shut up a team of false teachers that are stirring up trouble among these new believers (Titus 1:10-11). Three, establish a self-sustaining system to teach folks what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). 

The structure for this system of discipleship is pretty simple really. Older dudes teaching younger dudes (Titus 2:2, 6). Older ladies teaching younger ladies (Titus 2:3-5). And just to make sure he’s not leaving anybody out, Paul tells the Big T what to instruct slaves. These “bondservants” were the lifeblood of the Mediterranean rim. Let’s be clear and historically accurate about slavery in the Greco-Roman world. According to Tim Keller, it was not at all like the race-based slavery of the African slave trade and the American South before the Civil War. Slavery in Paul’s day was not race-based and seldom lifelong. It was often a way to pay off a debt and lasted about ten years. The best way to understand it is a form of indentured servitude. You didn’t file bankruptcy back in the day. You paid your debt by going to work.

There were different kinds of slavery in the first century. Without a doubt, some situations were very harsh and brutal. A bondservant was often not much more than a piece of property. But most actually earned a living wage. According to Andrew T. Lincoln, many slaves actually held white collar jobs, like professors, teachers, administrators, civil servants. Some scholars actually believe that Paul’s buddy Dr. Luke was a bondservant at one point. Estimates of the level of slavery of the time are all over the place. One historian believes that 30-40% of Italians were slaves in the first century. Another estimates that slaves made up 10-15% of the entire Roman Empire. 

Before you think Paul’s instructions to bondservants is his stamp of approval of this awful institution, let’s pump our brakes. Instead of commanding the end of slavery, Jesus is going to use men like the man from Tarsus to take it down from the inside out. F.F. Bruce writes, “What (Paul’s letters) do is bring us into an atmosphere in which the institution of slavery could only wilt and die.” Here’s the deal, slavery would come to a natural and logical end because of the Gospel. Scripture inspired like William Wilberforce to get to work.

So with all that history out of the way, shouldn’t we simply skip over these verses? Not so fast, my friend. Let’s step back and read these instructions to employees. Most of us work for a living. Read Paul’s words as what it looks like to work well as a follower of Jesus. First of all, every member of the workforce should “be submissive” (v9). This is the Greek verb hupotasso. It literally means to put something under something. It’s the idea of placing under authority, or bringing under firm control. The term actually has a military background. Troops were placed under the command of a general. The grammar of this particular verse paints a picture of someone who willingly obeys another and takes a subordinate place. In other words, employees should do what they are told without having to be threatened with probation, suspension, or being fired. Remember, Paul is talking about slaves in the original passage. How much more are Jesus following employees expected to respectfully obey their employers! We’re talking submission possible.

Every working man or woman is to be obedient “to their own masters” (v9). Understand your company’s org chart. Know the chain of command. Know who you’re working for, first and foremost. My specific point of obedience is to my own boss, not everybody else. My submission isn’t limited. It’s “in everything” (v9). As long as we’re not asked to defy God and sin, we’re to do whatever we’re told. Be a good follower. When our boss asks us to jump, we ask just need to know how high. And don’t miss the point that being a good employee is NOT dependent on having a good boss. It doesn’t matter if your supervisor is fair or unfair, kind or cruel. 

Paul tells Titus that bondservants should be “well-pleasing” (v9). When we’re at work, let’s put a smile on somebody’s face. Our boss should look forward to when we walk through the door. Don’t let them dread working with us. We also shouldn’t talk back, or in the apostle’s words “not argumentative” (v9). Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Don’t grumble. This doesn’t mean you can’t discuss an assignment with your boss from time to time and offer our thoughts on ways to get things done. But please don’t constantly question why you’re being asked to do what you do. 

Submission is a huge part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We should willingly serve each other (Eph 5:21). In his letter to the folks in Ephesus (a major center of the first century slave trade), Paul wrote, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ” (Eph 6:5). If we think that submission might be for others but not for us, we need to remember that Jesus Himself willingly and voluntarily did what His Dad wanted. He’s the supernatural poster boy for willing submission (Phil 2:5-8). Remember, He’s God but still obeyed. The King of Kings became the Servant of Servants. And don’t forget His readiness to do His Father’s will even when it meant a bloody death on a Roman cross (Lk 22:42). 

Because of Jesus’ obedience, we can obey. Submission possible.

Bullets and Blah, Blah, Blah

“and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:8)

Confession time. I talk too much. I’ve ALWAYS talked too much. Sure, I’m a social creature and a people person. I love hanging out and chatting it up. But the dark side of all this is that my lips are constantly flapping. Blah, blah, blah. Some of the stuff that comes out of my mouth is decent. Some of it builds up. Some of it encourages. Some of it is healthy. How I wish it all was! An unhealthy percentage of my words is just that, unhealthy. And by doing so, I hand folks the rocks to throw back at me. Blah, blah, blah.

In his letter to Titus, Paul gives his go-to guy some personal instructions when it comes to his own life. First, he tells the Big T to teach doctrine that is strong and healthy (Titus 2:1). Here he tells him HOW to teach (Titus 2:7-8). Live what you teach. Live with integrity. Live with dignity. And keep a handle on what you say. Use “sound speech that cannot be condemned, so than an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (v8). By getting a grip on my big yapper, I put a lid the damage that can be done. 

The apostle uses the phrase “sound speech” (v8). A closer look at the original text shows us a Greek word (Gr. hugies) that is very closely related to “sound” (Gr. hugiaino) used in the previous verses (Titus 1:9, 13, 2:1, 2). It describes something that’s healthy, hearty, and whole. Think ripped and robust. Every other use of this term in the New Testament has to do with health and wellness. When Jesus heals the disabled dude at the Bethesda pool, He sends him on his way by saying, “See, you are well (Gr. hugies)! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (Jn 5:14). Do you remember the time that the religious police got hot and bothered at Christ for healing instead of going to church? The Lord put them in their place by telling them, “Are you angry with Me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well (Gr. hugies)” (Jn 7:23). And how about the time those same religious bullies tried to intimidate Peter and John for using the power of God to heal. The dynamic duo let the Sanhedrin know that it is “by Him this man is standing before you well (Gr. hugies)” (Acts 4:10).

Are my words healthy? Are they whole? Or are they sick? Weak? Do they build up? Or do they tear down? Here in the 21st century, there’s something that Paul and Titus didn’t have to worry about. That’s the interweb. They weren’t constantly updating their Facebook status. They weren’t posting tweets every chance they got. They weren’t always uploading to Instagram. I’m not saying that social media is some demonic, dark world to avoid. But I am saying to be careful. VERY careful. King Solomon may not have  been on Vine or Pinterest, but he certainly was right when he warned his son about talking too much. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Prov 10:19). The same came be said about stuff posted on the web. Whoever restrains his keyboard is just as prudent.

When I’m smart and economical with my words, I “cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (v8). How many times do you see a politician regretting what he or she had to say when their opponent throws it back in their face in a commercial? And we’ve all heard the stories of our enemies killing and wounding our soldiers with weapons made in the good ol’ U.S. of A. It’s the same with our words. Think of your speech as ammo. Be very careful with it. Don’t let it be used against us. All of my blah-blah-blah is potentially lethal. Paul makes it clear to Titus that he’s not just in danger of self-inflicted wounds. Our words can be used to hurt others around us. 

Don’t give the enemy any bullets. Don’t hand them the rocks to throw back at us. They will still try to talk trash about you, but they it will just be a bunch of hot air. They’ll “be put to shame” (v8). Guess I need to keep my trap shut and limit the blah, blah, blah.

Live What You Teach, Teach What You Live

“and in your teaching show integrity, dignity” (Titus 2:7)

Mr. Parker was the greatest. There’s no teacher that impacted my life like he did. And I’m not the only one. As the vocal music instructor at my high school, he poured into the lives hundreds of students, many of whom never sang in a choir, chorus, or quartet. That’s because Mr. Parker lived his life with integrity. He was great in the classroom but he was even better in life. He lived and we learned. That’s Paul’s point to Titus. Understand that your influence extends well beyond what you teach. People learn by how you live. 

In this second chapter of his letter, the Apostle Paul tells his man Titus all about establishing a system of instruction that will last long after he’s left the island of Crete. The Gospel of Jesus has clearly transformed the people here. Now they need a sustainable structure of telling others what it means to follow Christ. Paul begins by telling him what to teach. “Teach what accords to sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). He then tells him whom to teach (Titus 2:2-6,9-10). He then tells him how to teach (v7-8). Titus must teach with integrity. He must teach with dignity. Both in the classroom and out. Two things will occur. Believers will learn how to live. Opponents will have no room to criticize you or the Gospel. What a powerful lesson for everyone who teaches, especially those who teach about Jesus. Yikes, that means me!

First of all, we’re to teach with “integrity” (v7). This is the Greek word aphthoria, which means not subject to corruption, purity, and honesty. It’s the idea of having good character, being moral and virtuous. But the basic meaning of the term is wholeness and being undivided. We should be the same all the time. We should be the same everywhere we go. We should be the same with everyone we’re with. You’ll hear engineers talk about the structural integrity of a building, bridge, or machine. When it has integrity, it’s sturdy and stable. It’s not rickety and held together by duct tape and paper clips. It’s able to withstand harsh conditions. That’s the kind of integrity teachers of God’s Word need to have. And that only comes when we build our house on the Rock (Mt 7:24-27). It’s not about the structure, but the foundation. The foundation of our trust must be in the person and work of Jesus. He’s the ultimate in integrity.

Teachers must also possess “dignity” (Gr. semnotes). Paul’s talking to Titus about proper conduct, respectability, seriousness, and acting the right way. In other words, our teaching in the classroom hangs on our conduct outside of it. We can be up for “teacher of the year” for our fabulous lessons and methods but send it all down the crapper when our life doesn’t back it up. Our dignity backs up our message. It gives us credibility. It’s gives us moral and ethical capital for what we teach. Let’s be clear about one thing. This does NOT mean that you live a perfect life. There’s only one Teacher who pulled that off. Trust in His perfection. And when you do jack things up (and you WILL jack things up!), confess and repent. Be transparent. Teachers need Jesus just as much as their students. 

Live what you teach. Teach what you live. That’s exactly what Mr. Parker did. 

Supermodels for Jesus

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works” (Titus 2:7).

My wife can’t stomach reality TV. For that I thank the Lord each and everyday. But there’s one weird exception. For some crazy reason, she can’t get enough of “America’s Next Top Model.” Deb loves to watch girls from all around the world compete for the chance to strut their stuff as a supermodel. But did you know that Jesus has supermodels? No, I’m not talking about the spiritual walk of Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, or Cindy Crawford. The supermodels I’m describing walk the runway of faith for a watching world. Paul tells his boy Titus to be a model of good works in everything he does. Talk about one top model training another. As a matter of fact, we’re all to be supermodels for Jesus.

As part of the apostle’s letter to the Big T, he instructs him to establish a self-replicating system of discipleship that will be in place long after they’re gone. Paul writes how more mature believers are to tell younger folks what it looks like to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10).  In the midst of these instructions, the man from Tarsus gives some very personal coaching. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works” (v7). In addition to the other one-on-one training that’s going on, Titus is to live a life that’s worth modeling. He’s to be a supermodel for Jesus.

But Paul doesn’t want his go-to guy to be the next Heidi Klum. Instead, God is using Titus is to hit the island of Crete hard and leave his mark. The word here for “model” is the Greek noun tupos, which describes an impression or indentation made by a hammer. This is the word used when Thomas says the idea of Jesus’ resurrection is crazy talk. “Unless I see in His hands the mark (Gr. tupos) of the nails, and place my finger in the mark (Gr. tupos) of the nails, one place my hand into His side, I will never believer” (Jn 20:25). It also used to describe idols to false gods the Jews hammered out in the workshop, “the images (Gr. tupos) that you made to worship” (Acts 7:43). But it also paints a picture of a model of behavior to be imitated or avoided. Paul gave his other special agent Timothy to make a similar impression for Jesus in Ephesus. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example (Gr. tupos) in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1Tim 4:12). 

But being a “model of good works” (v7) isn’t limited Titus and Timmy. We’re all to make our mark on those around us. More than once, Paul says if you don’t know what to do, do what he’s doing (1Cor 4:16; 11:1; Phil 3:17). The believers in Thessalonica could follow the example left by the apostle, Silvanus, and Timothy (2Th 3:9). The writer of Hebrews tells us that when it comes to following Jesus we should simply be able to play a game of “Follow the Leaders” (Heb 13:7). You might think that the rest of us are off the hook when it comes to making this kind of impression. But being an example is NOT limited to only those super-spiritual professional Christians. We’re all to be shiners of His light. We’re all to be spreaders of His salt. It doesn’t mean that we’re perfect. It does mean that we trust the One who is. No one made a greater mark on the universe than Jesus. He hit history so hard that He split it in two, BC and AD. Christ dropped the hammer on sin and death one miraculous Friday in Jerusalem. 

As a result of trusting in the resurrected Jesus, Titus is to be a “model of good works” (v7). Some folks try to convince you that these acts of goodness either save you or keep you saved. Don’t fall for the lie. We don’t save ourselves by our good works. But we respond to God’s grace with good works. God saves you and me through His mind-blowing grace when we place our complete trust in what Jesus has done for us (Eph 3:8-9). We can’t brag about it because we didn’t do a dad-blamed thing. As somebody once said, the only thing we bring to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary. It’s not what we do, but what He’s done. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 3:10). So we do good works because of His ultimate great work!

Actually, the idea of doing good works is a big theme in Paul’s instructions to Titus. We should all have a burning passion to make a mark for God’s kingdom (Titus 2:14). We’re to be obedient citizens and “be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). As a result of the work Christ has done for us, believers should “be careful to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:8, 14). Jesus made it clear that one very important way to shine the searchlight of the Gospel is by letting others “see your good works” (Mt 5:16). Titus is doing just that on the island of Crete.

When it comes to being a supermodel for Jesus, it’s less about looking like Claudia Schiffer (or Derek Zoolander, for that matter!). It’s more like dropping the hammer like Thor. We allow God to make His mark in us. We allow God to make His mark through us. He’s ready to use you and me to hit it hard. Hit it VERY hard. That’s what it means to be one of His supermodels.

Riding the Roller Coaster

“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled” (Titus 2:6).

Some people love roller coasters. Neck-snapping turns. Stomach-churning drops. Zero-G rolls. Just for self-disclosure, that is NOT me. Some people will travel the world to literally go head over heels. Just listen to some of the names folks give these thrill rides. The Screamin’ Demon. The Banshee. El Loco. While the Apostle Paul certainly had nothing against these wild rides, he encourages young men to avoid hopping aboard the roller coaster of emotion and overindulgence. He tells his man Titus to encourage all the young dudes to bring their feelings and appetites under control rather than take the constant thrill ride. Don’t ride the roller coaster.

A big part of Paul’s instructions to his protege is to establish a self-sustainable system of telling others what it looks like to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). The focus is on having the older teach the younger. Senior saints discipling baby believers. The older ladies teach young women what it means to love their husbands and kids as followers of Jesus (Titus 2:4-5). He then turns his attention to the young men. It’s time to grow up. Check out the take in the Amplified Bible: “In a similar way, urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to behave prudently [taking life seriously]” (v6 AMP). Put down the game controller. It’s time to stop doing what you want, when you want, with whom you want. It’s time to put on your big boy panties. It’s time to stop riding the roller coaster. 

The apostle says that these dudes “be self-controlled” after placing their faith in Jesus. This is the Greek verb sophreneo, which means to be of sound mind, curb one’s passions, or think soberly. It literally means “to save the mind.” When Jesus healed the freakazoid dude who lived in the graveyard, he man regained his sanity and was “in his right mind (Gr. sophreneo)” (Mk 5:15; Lk 8:35). Paul encourage his Roman friends that after they’ve come to know the grace of God, they should “think with sober judgment (Gr. sophreneo)” (Rom 12:3). With Jesus’ amazing return right around the corner, Pete writes that we must “be self controlled and sober-minded (Gr. sophreneo)” when we pray (1Pet 4:7). Clearly Jesus doesn’t just save our souls but our minds too! Earlier in Titus 2, Paul uses other forms of this very same word. Older dudes should be “self-controlled” (Gr. sophron) (Titus 2:2). Younger ladies need to also get a grip on their passions (Gr. sophronizo) and be discreet (Gr. sophron) (Titus 2:4-5). Clearly this whole idea of mind-saving isn’t limited to younger guys. It goes for the whole Hee Haw gang!

Is there any doubt that a young man’s mind needs to be saved? No, I didn’t think so. The mind of a teenage boy is under the tightfisted control of his hormones. He’s under control alright. Under the control of his steaming cauldron of adolescent emotions. If he doesn’t save his mind before long, he’ll simply be a boy who can shave. Do you think that immature men who are 30 going on 15 is a 21st century syndrome? Clearly not. It was something that Titus had to deal with on the island of Crete back in AD 64. As the old commercial used to say, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” It needs to be saved. The only way that happens is when we stop riding the emotional roller coaster. 

Before you think Jesus simply saves you and leaves you swinging in the breeze to get your hormones, hunger, emotions, and libido under control, I have some very good news for you. The Holy Spirit gives each believer the power to gain control of our passions and desires as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). God’s Spirit doesn’t transform you into some sort of robot for Jesus. Your emotions are still very much part of who we are. They just don’t control you. They don’t rule over you. God wired us to be emotional. It’s part of what it means to be made in His image. He’s an emotional God. He loves (Jn 3:16). He grieves (Ps 78:40). He gets mad (Dt 1:37). He has compassion (Lam 3:22). He is joyful (Zeph 3:17). Emotions aren’t sinful or evil. Feelings and passion are all part of being an image bearer of Almighty God. Just don’t let them control you. Just don’t ride the roller coaster.

Protect This House!

“to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled” (v5)

I grew up watching reruns of “Leave It to Beaver.” June Cleaver was the model mom and wife of the 50s. Wally and the Beave couldn’t get anything past her. And if that’s not enough, she cooked a huge dinner in her prom dress that was ready for Ward the moment he walked through the door. It might be easy to think Paul is talking about Mrs. Cleaver here in his letter to Titus. But don’t limit your view of a godly wife to Barbara Billingsley’s performance on a black and white sitcom. The apostle is not molding stereotypes and Stepford Wives. He tells Titus what it looks like when older women teach and train young ladies in the ways of womanhood. I hate to disappoint you, but there’s absolutely nothing in the original Greek text about cooking in a prom dress. It’s actually much more like a middle linebacker during a goal line stand. As the boys at Under Armour might say, she must protect this house!

Let’s refresh our perspective about the scene here. The message of Jesus has radically transformed the island of Crete. The apostle gives Titus a to-do list of three goals. First, select spiritual leaders for all of the churches (Titus 1:5). Second, stuff a sock in a team of false teachers (Titus 1:10-11). Third, establish a establish a self-sustainable system of discipleship that tells folks what it looks like to follow Jesus in their specific place in society (Titus 2:1-10). After giving a brief description of older men training younger dudes, he lets the Big T know that the ladies should follow a similar model. In a general sense, they’re to both model and teach what it means “to love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:4). 

The first specific point of loving her family is for the wife and mom to be “self-controlled” (v5). This is the Greek word sophron, which has appeared in various forms in this little letter. An elder is supposed to be “self-controlled (Gr. sophron)” (Titus 1:8). Older men should be the same (Titus 2:2). In the previous verse, older women are to “train (Gr. sophronizo)” young brides in godly womanhood. You can understand this verb as to teach them self-control. It’s the idea of having the ability to curb desires and impulses. Can we all agree that this trait isn’t limited to the ladies? We all need to get a grip on our urges. We don’t need to scratch every itch. The cool thing is that we don’t do this on our own. Self-control is a big part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

Next on the list of traits is to be “pure (Gr. hagnos) (v5).” It’s from the same same root word where we get the word “saint” (Gr. hagios). This is the idea of being innocent, without defect, holy, free from sin, blameless, upright, or chaste. But most of all, this is the idea of being completely different from everything around you. A godly wife and mother isn’t like every other desperate housewife on the cul-de-sac. The way she lives and loves runs completely counter to culture. Instead of fitting in, she stands out. It’s all about spreading God’s salt and shining His light with everyone she comes in contact with.

Now we’re heading into the minefield. Everybody watch their step. Paul tells Titus that a key part of this instruction to young moms is that they should be “working at home” (Gr. oikourgos). I can hear the howls now! What kind of pig-headed chauvinist is Paul! The original language must mean one who is barefoot and pregnant! Can we all just take a deep breath? Whew. That’s better. The apostle uses a compound word meaning “house (oiko-) guard (-ouros).” Think of the Under Armour slogan “we must protect this house!” It describes one preoccupied with the affairs at home, a person devoted to the home and family. This is the protector of the home.

Let’s be clear about what this verse is NOT saying. This is not a command that the wife and mom should never under any circumstances leave the home except to drive the minivan to the carpool lane. Again, there’s NOTHING wrong with that if God has called you to that. But the Bible is loaded with ladies who are anything but shrinking violets. Proverbs 31 describes a high octane woman who not only deals in real estate but is the poster child for godly moms and wives (Prov 31:1-31). Lydia, the Philippian fashion designer, is Jesus’ first convert in Europe (Acts 16:14-15). I think you get the idea. But the point is that they place a priority on the home. It’s at the top of the priority list. God has wired the women that the welfare of the family comes first. She must protect this house!

Paul writes that a huge part of a wife’s love for her hubby comes through submitting to him. Oh no, not the “s” word! I told you this was a minefield! The term literally means “to place or arrange under.” This is actually a military term that describes how troops line up up under the authority of their commanding officer. A handful of very important points on this controversial idea. First of all, there is no shame in submission. For Pete’s sake, Jesus did it. Despite being fully God, Jesus was voluntarily submitted to His Father to come to our rescue (Lk 22:42). I have a feeling you’re not opposed to Christ’s willing obedience. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Second, every last one of us should submit to each other as an act of worship (Eph 5:21). In other words, this isn’t just a husband/wife joint. Finally, this does NOT say that a woman is to submit to every dude they meet on the street. A wife is to submit to her OWN husband! She’s to reflect the picture of the church’s relationship to Jesus (Eph 5:22-24). One reason this is SO hard to do is because of the ultimate epic fail in the garden. After our first parents fell for the lie of the satanic snake, God told Eve that she would have a sinful desire to rule over her husband, but instead “he shall rule over you” (Gen 3:16).

There’s a very interesting reason why a godly woman should love her husband and kids. So “that the Word of God may not be reviled” (v5). Once again, this idea is not just limited to the ladies. Our disobedience to the Lord damages smears mud on His glory. When you and I claim to follow Jesus but blatantly ignore His commands, we make His Word a joke. The bottom line is that we live what we believe. When I tell the world that I follow Christ but fail to do what He says, my behavior drowns out my words. As an old friend would say, “A talk talks and a walk talks, but a walk talks louder than a talk talks.” Or as Eugene Peterson puts in The Message, “We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior” (v5 The Message). In other words, wife’s love for her husband is a very practical demonstration of the Gospel to the world.

Don’t fall for the lie that Titus teaches women should be some sort of second class citizens. This verse doesn’t paint a black and white picture of June Cleaver. A closer look lets us know that the wife and mom is much more like a middle linebacker. She’s defending her family like Luke Kuechly defends the Panthers’ end zone. She must protect this house!

Love Lessons

“and so train the young women to love their husbands and children” (v4)

I’m very glad my parents didn’t just toss me the keys to the Oldsmobile the day I turned 16. They made sure I had driving lessons. Both my mom and dad would take me out in the neighborhood and teach me how to drive. They signed me up for driver’s ed at school. I had seen lots of people behind the wheel and really didn’t think I needed any of that. But, boy, am I glad they gave me driving lessons. Paul knows it’s the same with young wives and moms. They need someone to teach them specifically what it means to be a godly wife and mother. They need love lessons.

As part of his instructions to set up a self-sustaining system of discipleship, Paul tells Titus to have the senior female saints get involved in the lives of the younger ladies. Have the older believers teach the younger folks what it really looks like to follow Jesus. In this case, the older women will intentionally instruct younger ladies to love their husbands and children in a godly way. 

The apostle writes to Titus that these more mature ladies are to “train the young women” (v4). “Train” is the Greek verb sophronizo, which means to restore to one’s senses or bring someone to be sensible and self-controlled. The term in very similar to the instruction that older men should be “dignified” (Gr. sophron) in verse two.

It paints a picture of exhorting earnestly, advising, admonishing, and discipling. In other words, these younger wives and moms have an idea of what it means to love their hubbies and kids, but they need specific teaching about what that means for a follower of Christ. 

This woman-to-woman instruction certainly includes an element of living by example. If the younger ladies want to know what it looks like to be a godly mom and wife, they can watch these women who’ve been there and done that. But it’s more than that. There’s clearly a let-me-tell-you-how-it’s-done instruction. They not only learn the what but the why behind it. Someone with a life’s worth of experience show someone younger where the potholes are. There’s no need to make the same mistakes that they made. In essence, this is simply the application of the Paul/Timothy relationship when it comes to moms and wives. Let’s face it, we ALL need older mentors in our lives no matter how old we are. And we ALL need younger folks in our lives that we can instruct.

The most important points of this instruction is that they learn “to love their husbands and children” (v4). A closer look at the original language shows that these are actually just two words. They are to “love their husbands” (Gr. philandros). It literally describe a “love” (phila-) for the “husband” (-andros). This is a loving and caring disposition of a wife toward her husband, affectionate. A wife is to have affection for her husband. Who better to let a new bride to know what that looks like than a lady who’s been there. The other Greek word here is philoteknos, another compound word that means a godly mother’s love toward her children. 

These younger wives and moms know they should love their hubbies and kids. But they need someone to come alongside them and show them what it means for followers of Jesus. They need love lessons. But then again, don’t we ALL need love lessons?