Titus 2 begins with a huge contrast to the end of ch.1. Paul is telling Titus that as the minister in charge, the called and installed pastor (1.5), his life must be of stark contrast to those detailed in 1.10-16.
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
Titus 2.1
As an instruction for a leader of God’s people, perhaps this is the most singular and succinct – teach what accords with sound doctrine. This command carries the meaning of teaching people and exampling for people what it means to live a Christian life, not just know about a Christian life.
There is something immensely practical being taught here from Paul, to Titus, to his people, and by extension and application, to us.
We often don’t like being told what we can and can’t do, what we should and shouldn’t do. But, to claim to be following Jesus whilst paying no heed to the practical dos and don’ts of His Word is tantamount to hypocrisy. I read recently that ‘The Bible is a book that tells us how to live‘.
Towards the end of what we call ‘The Great Commission‘ in Matthew 28 are these words,
…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…
Jesus didn’t say ‘teach them to understand all that I have commanded you…‘, but rather ‘…teach them to observe…’. The path is clear; Jesus, Disciples, Paul, Titus, people.
We are the people.
We are being commanded to observe and do all that Jesus commanded.
We are commanded to live a life of right Christian living.
We are commanded to take literally the passages of the Word that instruct and inform our character and conduct.
Taking the right living parts of the Bible seriously and literally is not just for the ‘extreme’ or ‘devout’ Christian, it is for all of us who have professed and confessed to be believers.
Is that you?
James Travis 