The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 2:7b-8,
"In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
In the instructions Paul gave Titus regarding his teaching of the comportment of young men in the fellowship, he urges him to display integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech. Paul's ultimate concern, he says, is that "those who oppose you" will be without a credible charge and ashamed in their opposition. The result of them having nothing bad to say about "us" refers to Paul's concern for the unhindered advancement of the kingdom of God through the gospel enterprise. His concern is not that believers have difficulty in their application to the local golf club, etc. but that the gospel not be hindered by possible bad behavior of those who claim to have responded to the gospel. I think you get my drift here...
I note Paul's concerns extended beyond the personal. It was the welfare of the gospel enterprise and the kingdom of God Paul had in focus in this letter. In the direction Paul gave Titus regarding older women, his concern there was "that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:5. In regard to slaves, it was, "in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." Titus 2:10. Again, the focus in these concerns is primarily the advancement of the gospel's reach.
I can't help but see a contrast between Paul's concerns with many in the church today. Today we see the preaching of biblical admonitions relative to how these admonitions can promote personal interests. We are told by many in the church that if we respond to the gospel, God will unveil a perfect plan for our lives... A plan that has more to do with the success of our own personal lifestyle than the advancement of the kingdom of God in our communities. We are told by many in the church today (and correctly so) that if we would conform our lives to biblical principles, we will achieve personal success in marriage and family, financial success and prosperity, influence to enhance our prospects of advancement on the job, etc.
I'm not saying never, but it sure seems there are few who echo Paul's perspective for the broader, loftier concerns to be considered in conforming ourselves to the things that please God. It is not that the admonitions to godly lifestyles in Scripture should not impact us in a personal way-- the Scriptures themselves speak to the personal benefit we gain if we conform ourselves to what we read in Scripture. And, I'm certainly not missing the point that often it is not an issue of "or": is it God's interests or my own I am focused on... It could be both in the same instance. I'm just pointing to what I see as a needful emphasis - an important emphasis on God's agenda that should often eclipse that which we have for our own personal interests.
Maybe I'm off the mark here. What do you think?
In the instructions Paul gave Titus regarding his teaching of the comportment of young men in the fellowship, he urges him to display integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech. Paul's ultimate concern, he says, is that "those who oppose you" will be without a credible charge and ashamed in their opposition. The result of them having nothing bad to say about "us" refers to Paul's concern for the unhindered advancement of the kingdom of God through the gospel enterprise. His concern is not that believers have difficulty in their application to the local golf club, etc. but that the gospel not be hindered by possible bad behavior of those who claim to have responded to the gospel. I think you get my drift here...
I note Paul's concerns extended beyond the personal. It was the welfare of the gospel enterprise and the kingdom of God Paul had in focus in this letter. In the direction Paul gave Titus regarding older women, his concern there was "that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:5. In regard to slaves, it was, "in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." Titus 2:10. Again, the focus in these concerns is primarily the advancement of the gospel's reach.
I can't help but see a contrast between Paul's concerns with many in the church today. Today we see the preaching of biblical admonitions relative to how these admonitions can promote personal interests. We are told by many in the church that if we respond to the gospel, God will unveil a perfect plan for our lives... A plan that has more to do with the success of our own personal lifestyle than the advancement of the kingdom of God in our communities. We are told by many in the church today (and correctly so) that if we would conform our lives to biblical principles, we will achieve personal success in marriage and family, financial success and prosperity, influence to enhance our prospects of advancement on the job, etc.
I'm not saying never, but it sure seems there are few who echo Paul's perspective for the broader, loftier concerns to be considered in conforming ourselves to the things that please God. It is not that the admonitions to godly lifestyles in Scripture should not impact us in a personal way-- the Scriptures themselves speak to the personal benefit we gain if we conform ourselves to what we read in Scripture. And, I'm certainly not missing the point that often it is not an issue of "or": is it God's interests or my own I am focused on... It could be both in the same instance. I'm just pointing to what I see as a needful emphasis - an important emphasis on God's agenda that should often eclipse that which we have for our own personal interests.
Maybe I'm off the mark here. What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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