Titus 2:1 But speak thou things which become sound doctrine.
Oh Friends, who says the Lord isn’t in control eh? Today I was guided to Titus, only to realize that it’s really a continuation of our discussion of the last two days; diligently observing the Lord’s dictates. Then, we spoke more in broad, general terms, today we’ll deal with it on a more day to day, micro level. And as always, Bruh Paul doesn’t mince words, he tells it like it is. In this missive, he talks about the organization of the local church and the behaviour of its believers, first cautioning his protégé Titus; ‘But speak thou things which become sound doctrine.’ For as he told the Corinthians; ‘All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.’ (1 Cor.10:23) So although many things are lawful and legal to do, not all are really helpful, don’t build up the believer’s spiritual life. Our words must therefore be wholesome and proper, that will inform, educate and enrich the believer’s spiritual growth. Then he gets specific: ‘That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.’ (Tit.2:2) That means the mature or elderly believers should display behaviour that’s sensible, dignified, reverent, prudent and thoughtful, while having a strong faith and also being of a LOVING and persevering nature. In other words, they should be a worthy example of godliness to the younger believers. ‘The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to LOVE their husbands, to LOVE their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.’ (vs.3-6) Oh Friends, Bruh Paul would certainly be disappointed by the behaviour of today’s women. Don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t be happy with the men’s behaviour either, but it just seems that the women’s has fallen further below the standard he set for them, than the men. ‘Oh Lord, please help me to get this right, so the women won’t be screaming for my head! Amen!’ (smile) I know there’s always been a double standard, where men can do almost anything while women are held to more rigid, puritanical standards, and simultaneously being treated like second-class citizens, or even chattel. And sadly, too much of that still exists, in too many societies today. But I believe that in our free choice, western society, both sexes, especially the females, have gone too far. I don’t know if the aged men can be termed sensible, dignified, prudent, or strong in faith, LOVE and perseverance. The word LOVE has been bandied about and become so commonplace, that it’s lost its true meaning. Everybody LOVES everybody else simply for what they can get from them; be it sex, money, power or social position. I believe though that the aged women have done a better job than the men, but somehow, something has been lost in the translation to the younger women. Why? Because they are definitely not given to much holiness, are big on false accusations, gossip and slander. Sobriety is also questionable. To LOVE their husbands and children? That also exists in a grey area. Let’s just say that they are not as meek and docile as before, and do stand up for themselves more. And since they were thrown into the work force by necessity, the home is not as stable or conducive to healthy, productive, nurturing relationships as before. It’s also apparent that women still bear the brunt of the child raising and housework, although they are now an integral part of the nine to five rat race. That however, should not prevent the young women from being ‘discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands.’ That simply means modest and decent, sexually pure, keep a good, clean home, not be idle and lazy, and be submissive to their husbands. Now hold down ladies! (smile) Don’t go getting all wound up. I don’t agree with the submissive part either, but that’s how it was in Bruh Paul’s time, and still is in a large portion of the world today. True submissiveness takes away some of a person’s dignity and self-worth. But our society still considers the man the head of the household, so if he’s going to bear most of that responsibility, shouldn’t he have a comparable amount in decision making? Ah my people, our world has become so scientifically and technologically advanced, so complicated and busy, that old ways no longer work. And sadly we’ve paid too much attention to those areas and not enough to the social and family relationships, which are further deteriorating every day. We can now have people live successfully in space for months, but we can’t keep the basic unit of our society, the family, from falling apart. Chuh Friends! It’s so sad to witness all the broken homes, bitter, resentful adults, and the host of dysfunctional children they produce. Then we try to fix the fence, after the horse has broken out, with drugs and a whole coterie of supposed professionals who only make matters worse. Oh my people, a lot of it can be easily avoided if we’d only practice some of the things Bruh Paul advises. ‘In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity: 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.’ (vs.7-8) Yes Friends, many of our problems can be solved by us pursuing integrity, showing reverence where it’s due, being incorruptible, and speaking truthful words, so that our enemies won’t be able to say anything bad about us. Let’s all work diligently on that nuh. Much LOVE!…take care of your character…and your reputation will take care of itself…
Oh Friends, who says the Lord isn’t in control eh? Today I was guided to Titus, only to realize that it’s really a continuation of our discussion of the last two days; diligently observing the Lord’s dictates. Then, we spoke more in broad, general terms, today we’ll deal with it on a more day to day, micro level. And as always, Bruh Paul doesn’t mince words, he tells it like it is. In this missive, he talks about the organization of the local church and the behaviour of its believers, first cautioning his protégé Titus; ‘But speak thou things which become sound doctrine.’ For as he told the Corinthians; ‘All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.’ (1 Cor.10:23) So although many things are lawful and legal to do, not all are really helpful, don’t build up the believer’s spiritual life. Our words must therefore be wholesome and proper, that will inform, educate and enrich the believer’s spiritual growth. Then he gets specific: ‘That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.’ (Tit.2:2) That means the mature or elderly believers should display behaviour that’s sensible, dignified, reverent, prudent and thoughtful, while having a strong faith and also being of a LOVING and persevering nature. In other words, they should be a worthy example of godliness to the younger believers. ‘The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to LOVE their husbands, to LOVE their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.’ (vs.3-6) Oh Friends, Bruh Paul would certainly be disappointed by the behaviour of today’s women. Don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t be happy with the men’s behaviour either, but it just seems that the women’s has fallen further below the standard he set for them, than the men. ‘Oh Lord, please help me to get this right, so the women won’t be screaming for my head! Amen!’ (smile) I know there’s always been a double standard, where men can do almost anything while women are held to more rigid, puritanical standards, and simultaneously being treated like second-class citizens, or even chattel. And sadly, too much of that still exists, in too many societies today. But I believe that in our free choice, western society, both sexes, especially the females, have gone too far. I don’t know if the aged men can be termed sensible, dignified, prudent, or strong in faith, LOVE and perseverance. The word LOVE has been bandied about and become so commonplace, that it’s lost its true meaning. Everybody LOVES everybody else simply for what they can get from them; be it sex, money, power or social position. I believe though that the aged women have done a better job than the men, but somehow, something has been lost in the translation to the younger women. Why? Because they are definitely not given to much holiness, are big on false accusations, gossip and slander. Sobriety is also questionable. To LOVE their husbands and children? That also exists in a grey area. Let’s just say that they are not as meek and docile as before, and do stand up for themselves more. And since they were thrown into the work force by necessity, the home is not as stable or conducive to healthy, productive, nurturing relationships as before. It’s also apparent that women still bear the brunt of the child raising and housework, although they are now an integral part of the nine to five rat race. That however, should not prevent the young women from being ‘discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands.’ That simply means modest and decent, sexually pure, keep a good, clean home, not be idle and lazy, and be submissive to their husbands. Now hold down ladies! (smile) Don’t go getting all wound up. I don’t agree with the submissive part either, but that’s how it was in Bruh Paul’s time, and still is in a large portion of the world today. True submissiveness takes away some of a person’s dignity and self-worth. But our society still considers the man the head of the household, so if he’s going to bear most of that responsibility, shouldn’t he have a comparable amount in decision making? Ah my people, our world has become so scientifically and technologically advanced, so complicated and busy, that old ways no longer work. And sadly we’ve paid too much attention to those areas and not enough to the social and family relationships, which are further deteriorating every day. We can now have people live successfully in space for months, but we can’t keep the basic unit of our society, the family, from falling apart. Chuh Friends! It’s so sad to witness all the broken homes, bitter, resentful adults, and the host of dysfunctional children they produce. Then we try to fix the fence, after the horse has broken out, with drugs and a whole coterie of supposed professionals who only make matters worse. Oh my people, a lot of it can be easily avoided if we’d only practice some of the things Bruh Paul advises. ‘In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity: 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.’ (vs.7-8) Yes Friends, many of our problems can be solved by us pursuing integrity, showing reverence where it’s due, being incorruptible, and speaking truthful words, so that our enemies won’t be able to say anything bad about us. Let’s all work diligently on that nuh. Much LOVE!…take care of your character…and your reputation will take care of itself…
SCRIP-BITS 