Titus 2:1-15 KJV But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate,
sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be
sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at
home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not
blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort
to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of
good works: in doctrine shewing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that
he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of
you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient
unto their own masters, and to
please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not
purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who
gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke
with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine…
Following
through with the previous warnings about heretical teachings, the apostle now contrasts
the false teachings with that which should be the result of following sound
doctrine. Titus is exhorted to mould and channel the believers’ behavior and
character along the lines of action that are built on healthy teaching.
A
church is defined by its doctrines. Jesus underlines the importance of doctrine
when He said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the
fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when
Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the
scribes. Matthew 7:24-29 KJV
Sound
doctrines faithfully followed, are the foundations of the believer’s faith.
They may not usually be seen, but they are essential to support the rest of the
believer’s life, and their real value and importance become manifest when the
believer faces up to the storms of life. Storms can be raging like a hurricane
and a tsunami, or they can be creeping in silently in the night and subtly
trying to erode the faith. However, a life built on sure foundations will stand
and remain sure when everything else around it collapses and comes crashing
down.
The
preacher should be constantly preaching and teaching for change. A believer’s
life is a life of constant change and alignment with the doctrine of God!
Doctrinal
characteristics of Older Men
1. Sober
- Exercising restraint in desires and
maintaining moral control
2.
Grave – Behaving with a dignity that
earns respect and consequently a listening ear
3.
Temperate - Doctrinal application
produces a sound mind which avoids temptation to gossip or indulge in mental
attitude sins and will over time produce this stable and calming character
trait.
4.
Sound in faith – Again the close adherence
to sound doctrine results in strong foundations that are unshakeable and
immoveable. Such men become towers of strength and encouragement to others
5.
Sound in charity – Love in action for
action speaks louder than words or all our spiritual platitudes
6.
Sound in endurance - Steadfast
endurance under pressure. A military word exemplifying the steadfastness and courageously
standing despite all the assaults of the enemy “…and having done all to stand…”
Doctrinal
characteristics of Older Women
1.
Behaviour as becometh holiness – Behave
like a person set apart for sacred service
2.
Not false accusers – Do not be a
slanderer.
3.
Not given to much wine- Break away
from the common practice and societies norms. Live as an example of sobriety
and quietness.
4.
Teachers of good things – Teach by
actions, by lifestyle by proper speech…become an overwhelming influence for
good
That they may
teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their
children, 5 To be
discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that
the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5 KJV
Be
an influence by example to the younger women. Teach, instruct and train. Mentor
them. Remind them of the dignity of womanhood, and that they do not have be
imitators of men and poor imitators at that. It is really not an achievement in
the sight of God when a woman boasts that she can do anything a man can do and
better than the men. There is something obnoxious and repelling about such
individuals. It is not a shame and a sign of weakness to be the type of woman
God expects you to be.
Titus was also
exhorted to be an example to the young men: In all things shewing thyself a
pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing
uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that
he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of
you. Titus 2:7-8 KJV
For the grace of
God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of
good works. 15 These things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11-15
KJV
2 John 1:8-9 KJV
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but
that we receive a full reward. 9
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son.
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