How should we live so that people through us might encounter THE Jesus, as Carolyn Moore wrote and we shared yesterday? Paul, writing to Titus, is clear. In chapter 2, after specific instructions to various groups (please see Titus 2.1 – 10), he summarizes:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to
- renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to
- live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
- waiting for our blessed hope,
- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
- 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 2.11 – 14, bulleted for clarity)
- waiting for our blessed hope,
Paul goes on in chapter 3…
Remind them to…
- Be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be
- Be obedient, to be
- Be ready for every good work, to
- Speak evil of no one, to
- Avoid quarreling, to
- Be gentle, and to
- Show perfect courtesy toward all people…
- Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (Titus 3.1, 2, 9, ESV, bulleted for clarity)
That’s how people will know THE Jesus, when we live like that!
Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. (Titus 3.14, NASB)