Tuesday 11 November 2008
- Bible Book:
- Titus
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ." (v.11-13)
Background
In this letter, Paul writes to instruct Titus about thedirections he should give to the early Christian community inCrete. The guidelines take into account the particular 'culture' ofeach generation and gender group within the Church.
Older men are encouraged to be "temperate, serious, prudent, andsound in faith, in love and endurance". This is not so much anattempt to correct their faults, as an affirmation of the way inwhich the wisdom and experience of their generation can strengthenothers on their Christian discipleship.
Older women are similarly asked "to teach what is good, so thatthey may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to lovetheir children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of thehousehold".
Young men are to be "self-controlled" and Titus himself is to "show[him]self in all respects a model of good works".
By adhering to these directions, the Christian community in Cretewill be able to witness to the gospel with integrity; confidentthat they are practicing what they are preaching, and that "anyopponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say ofus".
Cultivating and maintaining such a lifestyle is made possible bythe saving grace of God which has been revealed in JesusChrist.
To Ponder
What are the particular gifts and experiencewhich people of your age/group/gender/culture/income bracket canoffer to the Church or society?
In what ways is the Church vulnerable tocriticism today? What are the common criticisms? What might yourresponse to them be?
Where have you seen the grace of God at workrecently?