DEC 5

Titus 2:1
Memorise Titus 2:7-8
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:”

The Cretians were notorious for their wickedness (1:11) and one of the problems facing the church was false teachers. Jews were preaching their “fables”, deceiving, teaching the “commandments of men”. These Jews not only preached false doctrines, they also led wicked lives. Paul instructed Titus to remedy all this sin by speaking sound doctrine. Doctrine that is good, reliable, trustworthy. Doctrine to which nothing has been added, subtracted, nor amended to change it according to the personal agenda of men. The “things which become” sound doctrine goes further than the faithful preaching and teaching of correct doctrines. Titus must also live a life in which all aspects – speech, behaviour are framed in the fear of God, thus demonstrating sound doctrine. His life must be one where good works are the norm, and all speech is above reproach so much so that the wrongdoers in the church would be ashamed having nothing bad to say of him (2:7-8)! It “adorn[s] the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (2:10). The word Paul uses for “adorn” comes from the Greek word “kosmeo” from which we derive our English word “cosmetic” Such a life is one that becomes sound doctrine. It shows to advantage, suits and ‘flatters’ as cosmetics do. Speaking and living a life that adorns sound doctrine is the theme of Titus. Principle and practice go hand in hand, they simply must.

A problem today is pastors and the leadership place little emphasis on sound doctrine or disregard it altogether. Neither do they live lives that become sound doctrine. Consequently, the flock either care little for it or remain completely ignorant. Unbelievers look at the church and can see no difference between the church and the world. For those of you who have been taught sound doctrine, are you living a life that adorns it? Does your speech, your interactions and relationships with others, hobbies, hopes and ambitions beautify God’s Word? Do you strive to practise what has been preached, to have a testimony to which your enemies can find no fault? Or are you living a hypocritical life? Does your life demonstrate how sound doctrine has amazingly transformed you from a wicked sinner to be a young man or woman who is sober, godly and holy? Or are you living a life that adorns another doctrine, Satan’s?

Thought: What is the focus of your life? Spiritual everlasting cosmetics or physical temporal cosmetics?
Prayer: May I adorn God and His Word in everything that I do rather than the temporal, material outward things of this world.