The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say, "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11,12)Paul, in his letter to Titus (ministering in Crete), has much to say to us about our Christian witness. Older men are encouraged to live in such a way as to be worthy of respect, to model agape love, and steadfastness. Older women are told to be reverent and to teach young women to respect their husbands, love their children and be industrious in their duties at home. Young men are taught to behave in a mature fashion. Slaves are taught to honor their masters, and to be trustworthy.
These moderate, respectful and respectable behaviors are not ends in themselves, but for a purpose - to make attractive their witness for Christ. Paul goes on to say we don't have to accomplish these behaviors in our own strength. The same grace that saved us is at work in us to help us grow in obedience and self-control. In fact, the phrase self-control is mentioned four times in just this chapter.
How many times have we seen those claiming to represent Christ behaving anything but respectfully, respectably and self-controlled? And how often has the cause of Christ been damaged as a result? People are watching, and our witness makes a difference.
How will you make the Christian life attractive to your friends this week?
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