Hold to a Godly Reputation

Transcript

GR 749
10/5/1986
Hold on to a Godly Reputation
Titus 2:6-10
Gil Rugh

Titus chapter 2. Paul opened this chapter by reminding Titus that he is to be speaking about those things which are fitting for sound doctrine. In v. 1 we read: "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." Paul had an overriding concern and burden that the life and the teaching of Titus be suitable for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that burden is going to keep resurfacing through this second chapter in particular.

He begins to focus on different groups within the body. He talked about the older men, the older women, the young women, the young men. He talks about Titus himself as an example. He'll talk about slaves who have come to believe in Jesus Christ. All of these groups, having their attention focused upon the fact that their lives must be lived in a way that honors and exalts Jesus Christ, that is suitable for the doctrine that is being taught and proclaimed. The older people are key in establishing a pattern of godliness in the Church of Jesus Christ. The older men and older women are to live lives of godliness, lives of commitment and service to Jesus Christ because they become the pattern, the example, that is to be followed by the young men and the young women. And as we noted in our study, if we have a problem with the generation that is growing up today, we say young people are not what they ought to be, then it becomes crucial that the older people look a t themselves and see if we have really patterned godliness. Are our lives really worth mimicking? If our young people are living with our values, our level of commitment, our lifestyle, will they be indeed reflecting the character of Jesus Christ? He started by talking to the older men, and then he moves into a discussion of the older women and the young women. And he gives his fullest discussion to this area. I think we see something here of the importance of women. We sometimes discuss whether women are second class citizens in the position they have. But they are given a very key role here in the discussion that Paul gives, and we get some insight into the fact that godliness in a local church is greatly influenced by the godliness of the women in that congregation. Not by the fact they'll do the preaching or even the teaching, but by the lifestyle that they have. By the older women teaching and encouraging and exhorting and patterning godliness in the home for the young women. And for the young women, their realm of responsibility is their home, their husband, and their children. And that is key. The home, the husband, the children is the focal point, the life, if you will, of the young women. That's why Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 2 and says the salvation of the woman is not found in her teaching, in her leading, but in her home, in the children, in her family. And that being the focal point that's become the major area of attack by Satan to undermine godliness in our churches.

This is also crucial at the end of v. 5, "that the Word of God may not be dishonored." In other words, if we are not living lives that are patterned according to the Word of God, we bring dishonor to the '/lord of God. That word 'dishonor' is the word 'blaspheme.' We cause the Word of God to be spoken against. So it's crucial that we have lives pattern according to the Word of God. Now Paul is going to turn his attention continuing the same theme to the young men. Then to Titus himself and then to slaves.

Note v. 6, "Likewise." That word that ties this very closely to what he has been saying. He used it up in v. 3 when he moved into a discussion, "the older women likewise." So in the same vein, closely related to what I've been saying, "Young men urge them, Timothy, to be sensible." There's a command given here. There is a developing urgency here. That word urge is given as a command to Timothy, or to Titus. Titus, here is something you're obligated to do. You must urge the young men to be sensible. Now if you compare the comments to the young men with the comments to the young women, you get the idea that the young women have more problems because the instructions to the young women are much more elaborate than to the young men. "Young men be sensible," and that's it. He goes on to talk about Titus. With the young women, he talked about their area and all they're to do in vs. 4 and 5. "Young men, be sensible."
We were talking about this with our staff last week, and Larry offered the suggestion that this is the most he could hope for from the young men, that they be sensible! That touches on the truth. It's broad enough here to include their life, but probably when we move into the discussion of Titus in v. 7 and v. 8, that is part of the instructions to the young men. Because Titus himself is evidently a young man. And so what he has to say to Titus in being an example shows us what a young man ought to be. So the comments to the young men aren't quite as brief as they may originally seem.

When he says to be sensible, this is a word that was used up in v. 2 of the older men, and it was used in v. 5 as well for the young women. To be sensible. Carries the idea of self-control, having yourself under control. This is a key element in godliness, perhaps the key element. So this is not something you do apart from the Holy Spirit, but every believer has the Spirit of God indwelling him but not every believer is living a life of godliness. That is not a reflection on the weakness or strength of the Holy Spirit. He is abundantly adequate to enable every one of us to be everything God wants us to be. But some of us are not willing to exercise the self-control under the power that the Spirit gives us to live lives of godliness. And this becomes a crucial element. To be sensible, and this probably links to v. 7 "in all things." I think that "in all things" probably should be connected with "sensible" at the end of v. 6 rather than with what follows. Grammatically it can go either direction. It seems to fit better to me if you say "to be sensible in all things." I'll make a comment on that further when we get to v. 7. So that in every area of life the young men are to be concentrating on exercising self-control. If you stop and think about it, this becomes a key area for a young person. The young people do rash and brash things, so in youth self-control becomes a key thing. That the passions of life be controlled. One of the concerns we have for our young people is that they not do things rashly or brashly what would dramatically have a detrimental influence on the rest of their life. We're concerned about that period of youth. And here the period of youth would maybe be longer than we would think of youth. But it's important that we have self-control .

Turn back to Proverbs chapter 16. And if you don't develop this through your youth, you have increasing problems with it in your older years. We find that those areas of our life that are not dealt with in the power of the Spirit when we're young in Christ or young people, if we have the privilege of knowing Him, these things accelerate and become worse with the passing of years. So it's important that we deal with our lives thoroughly. In Proverbs 16, v. 32, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Has himself under control, better than a conqueror of a city. You conquer yourself, have yourself under control. Again, the power for that comes from the Holy Spirit. But the responsibility for drawing on His power and bringing myself under control, if you will, conquering myself, is something God calls me to do. He calls the young men to do, in particular. Every area of their life is to be conquered, to be brought under control. Self- discipline. Come back to Titus.

And in v. 7 of chapter 2, he turns to Titus now, and putting that "in all things" with "sensible," you find that v. 7 begins: "Show yourself to be an example of good deeds." That puts the stress where it ought to be, because the emphasis here is on yourself. That appears first. Yourself show to be an example. You're familiar that in Greek when they wanted to put emphasis on a word, they just put it first. So the word 'show' is not first here, but the word 'self' is. "Yourself show to be an example." The Stress on, now you, Timothy. And I think in the context of addressing young men, Titus (if I keep saying Timothy, you just translate it to Titus!)—Titus, yourself, you be the example of what a young man ought to be. You exemplify godliness in the life of a young man. That's the point that he's driving home here. "Show yourself to be an example."

That word "example" is the word "tu-pon"--type. We carry it over into English "type." A type who was originally an impression made by a seal or a dye. So there was a pattern established. When you stamp, for example, a coin you had an imprint, a pattern. That was a type. So it comes to be used then as an example. Titus is to have a life that exemplifies the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life is to support what he teaches. The Scripture is clear that the children of God ought to manifest the character of God, that the doctrine that we teach and proclaim ought to be evidenced in the life that we live. There is no allowance or provision for believers who will live lives over here and teach doctrine over here. But our lives and our doctrine are so wedded together that they cannot be separated. That's crucial to understand. That's one of the breakdowns we have in communicating to young people. That's why the home is such a foundational point. In the home is where we live out the doctrine that we teach. It's one thing to say this church has a good doctrinal statement; it has sound teaching. But is that sound teaching lived out in our homes? Do my children see me living the Word of God day by day? Do your children living the Word of God day by day? Do they see the priorities of my life, the commitment of my life, arranged around the Word of God? That's what brings life and realism, if you will, dynamic to Christianity. Paul said the same thing when he wrote to Timothy.

Turn back to 1 Timothy chapter 4. It helps you to appreciate that Titus is probably in the same type of situation as Timothy as a young man. And in a section of chapter 4 of 1 Timothy, which is very similar to the section we're dealing with in Titus, Paul has exhorted him at the end of v. 7--he tells him in v. 6 about the nourishment of sound, heathy doctrine, healthy teaching--then at the end of v. 7, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." You see that? Self-discipline for the purpose of godliness. Same thing he's been developing in writing to Titus. Then he comes down to v. 12, "Let no one look down on your youthful ness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." A type. You are the pattern, Timothy, as a young man. So you see the older men are to be leading by example, but that doesn't mean the younger men ought not to be examples as well. And, Timothy, your life ought to be a pattern of godliness as a result of disciplining yourself for godliness. You ought to be establishing a pattern for others to follow. Paul expected that those who ministered the 'lord of God would live the Word of God. He expected that every believer would live the Word of God. He was concerned that his life be such a pattern and a type. I think one of the greatest corruptions in Christianity is the statement we often hear, We don't want people to look at us, we want them to look at Christ. Where the teaching of the Word of God is, when they look at us, they should be looking at Christ. From the standpoint it's His life and His character. The qualities of His character are being lived by me. Why am I afraid that a person would look at me. Don't look at me, look at the cross. When people look at me they ought to see a life that has been redeemed and transformed by the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So the emphasis of the Word of God is, Look at me; pattern your life after me. Not in a proud sense, but because I have the confidence that my life is patterned after Jesus Christ.

Let's look at several statements. Back in 1 Corinthians chapter 4. There will be a couple of words used interchangeably. I won't stop here to point out which word is which, but Paul will sometimes use the word 'mimic' and sometimes the word 'type.' The word 'type' is what we have in Titus, but the idea is the same. To pattern your life after me, to mimic me. Again, the Greek word 'mimati1 is just carried over into English, mimic. And in 1 Cor. chapter 4, v. 16 Paul writes, "I exhort you, therefore, be imitators of me." Imitate me! That is to say, pattern your life after me! Look over in chapter 11, v. 1,
"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." You see why Paul could say that? I am patterning my life, I am mimicking, if you will, Jesus Christ. I am following Him. It's His life being lived through me, so you live your life following me! I'll give you a visual example to follow. And when you follow my example and my lifestyle, you'll be following Jesus Christ. You'll be patterning your life according to Him.

Look over in Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3, v. 17, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us." So you see that? Join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. My life is an example, it is a pattern, Paul says. I look around to see those whose life is patterned according to my life. I want you to follow that.

Second Thessalonians chapter 3, v. 9, "Not because we do not have the right to do this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example." You see here how Paul used his Christian liberty. He said, I am always sensitive to the issue of being an example for you to follow. He's sensitive to that as a believer. Are you sensitive to that in your home? There are things you might be able to do, but is this how you want your children to pattern your life? Will this help them to see more clearly godliness exemplified in what you do and the commitments you make? And how you use your time and how you use your life? It's impressed upon me as I think of what I do with my life as a parent, I want to tell my children, Pattern your lives after me. I don't have to say it audibly, they're looking! And the end result of this, how we use our days, what we do with our lives, be godly children in maturity. Serious matter. Tell other believers, tell our children, pattern your life after mine and the result of that will be godliness because you have a life like Christ. That's the pattern you can see. Through the New Testament, Paul did it himself; he told Timothy to be that kind of pattern; he told Titus to be that kind of pattern. And you are a pattern! I m a pattern! The only question is, what kind of pattern am I? I am making an impact on my family, on my children, and on those who see my life. The only question is, what kind of impact, what kind of pattern is being established? That's true for every single one of us. There's no way to get around it, there's no way to get away from it. Praise God we can't, because that's God's plan for us. I think that says something to us men as well. There's been a great lack on the part of men to exemplify a commitment to the Word of God and service for Jesus Christ. The result is often our young men grow up thinking this isn't something men do. My dad is an expert on football; my dad is an expert in television. My dad is an expert in cars. My dad is an expert ... Is your dad an expert in the Word of God? Is he an expert in godliness? That's really what counts, isn't it? Is that exemplified in my life and in the way that I live?

Come back to Titus. This is a matter of godliness in life as well as soundness in teaching is crucial. What is the mark of a false teacher? A false teacher professes to believe the truth, but back in chapter 1, v, 16, '’They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him." We have to be careful that we're not denying what we say by our deeds. I profess that Christ is the most important thing in my life. Do I really exemplify that in my life? That the Word of God is more precious to me than much fine gold? That's what I profess. Do I live that in my life? We need to be careful that there's not a division here which causes the Word of God to be dishonored.

Paul goes on in writing to Titus. "In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine." Purity in doctrine. The issue here is not moral purity. The word 'purity' here means 'untainted.' Untainted, something that is not colored by something else. Titus is to teach the Word of God in its purity. Untainted by error. Untainted by falsehoods, selfish motives, and related kinds of things. One of the characteristics of false teachers is they take the pure Word of God and they mix it with men's ideas, men's concepts. They have selfish, greedy motives. They desire to please people in what they teach and what they say, so they corrupt and adulterate the Word of God. Turn back to 2 Corinthians chapter 2.

Second Corinthians chapter 2, the end of the chapter as Paul is talking about our lives as giving off the fragrance of Jesus Christ. That everywhere he goes as a believer Jesus Christ is made known. He's giving off the fragrance of Jesus Christ in what he teaches and in the way he lives. And you'll note in v. 17, the last verse of chapter 2 of 2 Cor. , "For we are not like the many." Note what he says the many do. "Peddling the word of God." And that word "peddling" means to "act as a huckster." It was used of someone who did anything to make his product salable. So he would mix it, adulterate it, to deceive so that people would buy. So there are those who act as hucksters with the Word of God. They are peddling the Word of God. They mix it with other things to make it more saleable. We all know there are things people like to hear; there are things people don't like to hear. People don't like to hear about sin. People don't like to hear about hell. Okay, I'll take that out of my product. I will say the good things that people want to hear. I'll tickle their ears, if you will, and I have adulterated the Word of God. I am peddling it now.

Over in chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians, v. 1, "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God." Paul says, You know why my ministry is acceptable before God? I don't walk in craftiness; I don't adulterate the word of God. Here is the truth, folks; and it's the truth whether I like it or whether you like it. If it's what you wanted to hear today or whether I wanted to hear it today, it doesn't really matter. All that matters is this is God's Word; it's the message from God. Titus, I want you to be holding forth the Word in all purity. And you see Paul's concern that even a man like Titus under pressure would be encouraged, maybe, to taint the Word. There are always ways I can pull back on what I'm teaching, that I can adjust it to avoid a conflict or a problem; but it's not my Word. It's God's Word, and it's my responsibility to present it in its purity. Come back to Titus.

So his concern is, "that you be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine." So you see how the two go together? Your life--be an example of good deeds; living a life of godliness, with purity in your doctrine. Sound teaching! "Dignified," and that's a word we've seen previously as well. It's a proper seriousness or gravity. Again, it's not gloominess, but there is to be a dignity about the ministry of the Word. About the life of the ministry of the Word, about our lives as believers, a proper soundness in life and in the teaching.

"Sound in speech," in v. 8. We've seen that word "sound" a number of times.
In fact, this is the fifth time in Titus Paul uses that word "sound." It's the word "to be healthy." Healthy in your speech; speech that produces health. That goes beyond just teaching. He said "purity in doctrine," or teaching; but he's to have a healthy speech whatever he's talking about. To be focused around what really counts as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Back in chapter 1, v. 9, he talked about "sound doctrine." The elders are to exhort in "sound doctrine." There's our word, "sound," healthy, health producing teaching. Down in v. 13, "This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith." Healthy in the faith. Up in chapter 2, v. 1, "Speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." Healthy doctrine. V. 2, "Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith," a healthy faith. Then down into v. 8 where we are. That repeated emphasis. Paul is concerned to have healthy believers. Healthy believers are produced by healthy teaching, healthy speech. They are inseparably linked together.
He's concerned for Titus in this area.

"Healthy in speech which is beyond reproach." This word "beyond reproach" is a word you'd use in a court room. There are no charges which can be brought against you. You are unchangeable. Now people can make up lies; but there is no real truthful charge that can be brought up against you. They may say he preaches salvation by faith in Christ. Well, that's true. They may say he believes no one will go to heaven who does not believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Well, that's true. But they cannot say he corrupts the Word of God. He has healthy speech which is beyond reproach. He does not talk about those things which are not conducive to godliness. We need to be careful about our speech, the things we talk about that we don't fall into the pattern of the world.

What is that purpose? "In order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us." There are going to be those who oppose us, so the fact that you live a life of godliness, that you speak with purity, does not mean there won't be opposition. There will be the opponents. What Paul was concerned about is that we do not give opponents fuel for the attack. And we're all familiar with cases where there's a moral breakdown in the life of a believer, and that just fuels the attack of the unbeliever. There are those who profess to be believers that corrupt the Word of God, and it just gives ammunition to the opponents of the Gospel. All they're in it for is the money, and there are those who give validity to that claim.

So that the opponent may be put to shame. By that I take it they will be revealed to have no basis in their attack. They're going to attack, but under careful scrutiny, under the search light, under examination is revealed there's nothing really there. And they're put to shame for their false accusation. We see this in the lives of the apostles in the Book of Acts, as the religious leaders who attempted to discredit them tried to find something of substance to charge them with, they really couldn't. And so in the life of Jesus Christ.
They had to make up things. That ought to be true of us as believers. People may say things about you, people may run you down, but there ought not to be anything of validity in their charges. I am not to be giving them reason to discredit the Gospel by the way I talk or the way that I live.

That's what he has to say to Titus, to young men. Exemplify the Gospel; live the Gospel. Your teaching, your speech, the way that you conduct your life. All of it ought to work together to be a clear testimony of the impact of the work of Christ in our life. Without that, there is no way to undo the harm. Churches have been destroyed by lives that have not testified to the reality of the Gospel.

He wants to turn to a special group, now, in v. 9. To the conduct of slaves. It seems strange, here we've talked about old men, older women, younger women, young men, slaves? It sounds like you've jumped out of the pattern. You say, well, they'd fit either as older or younger, and they're either going to be men or women, so aren't they covered? Well, slaves have particular challenges and particular obstacles in their lives. Keep in mind, large numbers of the Roman Empire were slaves. They estimate that in Rome itself 1/3 of the population were slaves. It was an empire of slavery. There were all kinds within that realm of slavery--from those violently repressed to those who had great responsibility. Now, evidently in the preaching of the Gospel many of those who were the early converts to Christ came from among the population of the slaves. This would seem to fit because in a number of places in the New Testament, slaves are addressed and the importance of proper conduct for slaves.

I want to talk just a moment about slavery and the issue of slavery, and then develop what is said here. This causes believers some problems. One commentators noted 4 facts about slavery in the New Testament. Let me reiterate these facts for you. Number one, the New Testament nowhere endorses slavery. There's never a recommendation to go out and get as many slaves as you can. Never any encouragement to even acquire slaves. So it doesn't endorse slavery as a way of life. Number two, the New Testament nowhere denounces slavery. There is no call for the abolition of slavery. It's never called an evil in the New Testament. Slavery is never called sinful in the New Testament--1imi ting our consideration here to the New Testament. Number three, the New Testament never commands slave-owners to free their slaves. I'm aware in Philemon Paul may be giving an encouragement to Philemon to do that with Onesimus. The fact of the matter is, in all the places where slavery is clearly addressed, we're never told that those who become believers ought to free their slaves. Now there are instructions to masters of slaves who become believers on how to treat their slaves. But those masters are never told they ought to release their slaves if they are going to be consistent, godly Christians. Number four, the New Testament never commands slaves to seek freedom. It doesn't call them, Now you're free in Christ, throw off the yoke of slavery! You're not enslaved to men any longer, you're the slaves of Christ, so put aside those physical bondages. You note that slavery is going on, the Bible addresses the conduct of slaves, the conduct of masters; it never addresses slavery as an issue that has to be dealt with. Now, I say this on both sides. In past years especially in this country, there were those who attempted to use the Bible to condone and encourage slavery. The Bible doesn't do that. There have been those who have tried to use the Bible to say that slavery is wrong and must be done away with. The fact of the matter is, the Bible does not address slavery on that level or on that issue. If you're looking for a principle, just jot down 1 Cor. 7, vs. 20-24. There Paul says, Remain in the condition you were called. If you were called being a slave, be a Christian slave. You were called being free? Be a Christian free man. If you're a slave and have the opportunity to be set free, fine; be set free. You don't have to say, Oh now I'm a Christian, I'm going to stay a slave even though you want to set me free. You can be free! You have to see everything in the light ultimately I'm not a slave of men, whatever my position, but I'm a servant of Jesus Christ. That's the principle established.

I think the principle in this issue of slavery carries over into other areas. I’m concerned that we as believers lose our focus. We're in danger of having the Word of God tainted by a mixture of men's ideas with men's philosophies today. Among many well-meaning, earnest Christians who are wrong, nonetheless, because they are misusing the Word of God. The focal point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not the transformation of society, but the transformation of hearts. Now you ought to note that. The purpose of the Gospel is not to change society. The purpose of the Gospel is to change people, individuals, and individual hearts. It's the heart Jeremiah 17:9 says that is more deceitful than all else, and desperately sick. That's man's problem. Man's problem is not slavery. Man's problem is not any number of ills or problems that you could list. Man's problem is not sexual immorality. Man's problem is not alcohol. Man's problem is not abuse of one human being over another. Man's problem is at heart at his very center of being--he is a deceitful and corrupt person. And that deceitful corruption bubbles forth. So out of that corrupt heart comes all kinds of abuses back up to Mark chapter 7, v. 21. (We have to go quickly.) "For from within out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts and fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." That's what defiles a person. Now we have that rooted within our mind. The problem isn't the increasing crime rate in our society. The problem isn't the morality in our society. The problem is, we are dealing with human beings who are corrupt and depraved at heart. We would all ascent to that and say "Amen" as believers in Jesus Christ, but I'm concerned that we live consistently with that. That the emphasis of our lives ought to focus on that. If the heart is the problem, then the only thing that can be done to bring any real solution or help is to deal with the heart. James chapter 4, vs. 1-2 does the same thing. Talks about wars and fighting, where does it come from? It comes from within us. On the inside! The problem with the world isn't that countries are at war with one another, therefore, I ought to get involved in the peace movement. It'd be nice to have peace in the world. "But there is no peace, saith my God, for the wicked," Isaiah wrote. And the result of that lack of peace within the wicked person, James 4 says, there are fightings and wars among us. So I cannot deal with the problem of war out here. I have to back up and say there's a problem here, the problem's within my heart. A problem within sinful, human beings. They are at war within their own members, and that discontent, wicked frustration bubbles out in attacks on others, whether it's murder or whether it's adultery, whether it's lying, it all bubbles out of a depraved and sinful heart. Now God's plan is to transform man from within. He wants to bring about a change, but that change has to go to the root of the problem which is the heart.

Look at Ezekiel. Ezekiel chapter 11, the word in this chapter addressed to Israel in light of the coming restoration that God promises to them as a nation. But their restoration, the kingdom He will establish, will be based upon transformed hearts. And you'll note what He says in Ezekiel chapter 11, v. 19: "And I shall give them one heart." Note this. "I shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them." You see the order here? When the heart is changed, when they get a new heart, then they will live in a way that is pleasing and obedient to God. I am terribly concerned about believers who claim to believe this truth about depravity who are spending their life and their energy in trying to transform society when God says it cannot be done and is a waste of time, if you will. When God says, I'll change a heart and then they'll do what I want them to do. We're trying to hold up a biblical standard for people with depraved hearts and tell them they'd better live according to it, when God's already told us it's an impossibility. And it's a deceitful heart that would make them think they could! Because only a new heart can bring about that kind of change. And the new heart domes about, how? Through the preaching of the Gospel, Romans 1:16. "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Why? "It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes." So God's plan and program for changing a person is the power of the Gospel. So in 2 Cor. 5:17 we read, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, new things have come." You see what's happened? When a person comes to believe in Christ, he is made a new creature. He's given a new heart. He's born again, if you will; born from above. The result of that is a transformed life. Old things passed away, new things have come.

Earlier in 2 Cor. chapter 5, vs. 14, 15, the end of v. 15, "Christ died for all that they who live should no longer live to themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." You see there's a change of life as a result of a change of heart. He died for me; He redeemed me! Now I should live for Him, not for me. Basically, that is a transformed heart. So when a person's born again, there'll be a change in his life on the inside which will result in a change of the lifestyle. Now we also recognize, if a significant number of people in a given society are transformed by the power of the Gospel, what will the result be? Transformed lives and that impact wi11 be seen in a transformed society. So there may be given areas where great numbers, a large percentage of a given population, usually small, are impacted by the Gospel! We may see a tribe some place where the bulk of that tribe comes to believe in Christ and they are transformed on the inside. Well then the society will be changed and the culture, but by and large that does not happen in large numbers. In given areas it has happened at times of revival in given areas. Then there will be change in society.

Now this is true of an issue like slavery. God is not in the business of changing society. A society that will honor and glorify Him and live under His rule will be the Millennium when Jesus Christ rules and reigns. I hope we realize that. That means that the only thing I can do that will make any kind of impact and difference is to devote myself to the proclamation of the Gospel, to presenting the truth of God. That's what will change a heart. I should try to give a fallen sinner with a depraved, sinful, deceitful, wicked heart that's desperately sick, God says, and say, Look, you ought to live a better life?
Now it's true even when the unbeliever lives according to biblical principles there are benefits that he receives by the common grace of God. But for my goal as a believer, it's to bring about a true transformation, to bring about change of hearts. I'm concerned that we've got believers all caught up in political activity, in social activity, like we're really going to take hold of this nation now. We're really going to turn it back to God. Oh, you are?

You're going to take people with depraved, deceitful, corrupt human hearts that are in rebellion against God and by political activity and social changes you're going to bring them back to God. I dare say, we've ceased to be untainted in our teaching of the Word of God if that's what we think. If that's the way we live. I see slavery, then, in this realm. I think the foundation for the abandoning of slavery is in the Word of God. All the way back in Genesis, that a human being is created in the image of God. If you don't believe in the authority of Scripture, you have no foundation to do away with slavery. If we're just part of the evolutionary process, then the mighty rule; and the strong dominate the weak. And who says I shouldn't have slaves and dominate other people? The Word of God lays the foundation of the worth of a human being created in the image of God. That's the foundational point, then, for recognizing the value of that person in treating him as a human being created in the image of God. So it's true, Christianity has an impact on slavery. But Christianity can function within a variety of imperfect situations in any given society. It's important that Christians don't get distracted from their main task and call to try to change the imperfections in society, to change sinful conduct. That doesn't mean I won't vote as a believer--don't push this further than I'm saying. But it also causes me to realize that the prime focus and thrust of my life is to change hearts because society is deteriorating. And I think there's a pattern here. As people move away from an emphasis on the transformation of lives through the power of the Gospel, they fill that void with an emphasis on changing society by political and social action. That doesn't happen in one giant step. That happens in subtle, almost imperceptible adjustments. Where I move away from the emphasis that what is needed is change of lives through the power of the Gospel to, We can change this country, this society by taking hold of the political process, by getting our people in positions of authority, and that subtle change is away from the 1ife-transforming power of the Gospel. And it becomes more and more replaced by political and social action. So when you go here on one extreme to the far left, you have the liberals. That's what their life is all about, political and social action. Over here on the right, those who hold that nothing but the power of the Gospel is effective. But you see, we swing around on that pivot and it often happens gradually.

This helps to understand, then, how Paul, getting back to Titus, could exhort slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything. This is consistent. You can jot down, we don't have time to go there, Ephesians chanter 6, vs. 5-8. Colossians 3:22-25. 1 Timothy 6:1,2. 1 Peter 2:18-20. All passages addressing slaves, sometimes masters as well. All in the same context, be submissive. Obey, subject yourselves to those masters. And this submissiveness, Paul says to Titus, is in everything to be well pleasing, not argumentative. In other words, I'm to be submissive but not grudgingly. I'm to be well pleasing. A believing slave ought to have been the best slave in the empire. He wasn't argumentative. He wasn't always challenging what his master said. His responsibility was obedience. Not to evaluate whether he liked or agreed with what his master said.
But to do it with a proper spirit and the proper attitude. "Not pilfering," at the beginning of v. 10. Those practices which some slaves would fall into. They had opportunity in many cases to perform some graft, to steal little things along the way and bigger things for their own future benefit, perhaps with the hope of buying their freedom eventually. Couldn't happen with a Christian slave. "Not pilfering." Christian slaves ought to be absolutely trustworthy. So he says, "showing all good faith." All good faith. In his dealings with his master, he should be absolutely reliable and trustworthy. All good faith, that's the point. He ought to be absolutely reliable and trustworthy as a slave. Why? Why is this so important? Note the end of the verse. You ought to have it underlined. "That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." You see what Paul's concern is? Chapter 2, v. 1: "Speak the things fitting, suitable for sound doctrine." Down at the end of v. 5, "that the word of God be not dishonored." The end of v. 10, "that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." You know, these slaves have the glorious privilege of adorning the Gospel. In other words, dressing appropriately for the Gospel. Their lives are seen as the clothing of the Gospel, if you will, as the dress of the Gospel. How important that they not be distracted by what they believe are social or political injustices being afflicted upon them. The issue of slavery is not the issue for you as a slave. The issue for you as a slave is for you to adorn the Gospel of God our Savior in every respect. You mean I don't have to worry about the issue of slavery? That's right. The justices or injustices of slavery? That's right. What do I have to worry about? My concern of my life is to adorn the doctrine of God my Savior in every respect. That my life be the proper clothing for the Gospel of God. The Gospel dressed up in me, if you will.

Am I appropriately dressed? Doesn't that simplify life for the slaves? Oh boy, here I was getting ready to lead an anti-slavery crusade! I mean, I've been unjustly and unfairly treated. Read 1 Peter chapter 2 for unjust, unfairly treated slaves. That's your real chance to shine for Jesus Christ. I mean, just like Him, your Savior who was unjustly and unfairly treated. You see with Paul, everything comes back to this one issue. How does this reflect upon the Gospel that I believe and teach? Everything about our life comes back to this.

How does this reflect on the Gospel that I believe and teach? Is my life a proper adornment for the Gospel? Do we live lives suitable for sound doctrine? Are we causing the Word of God to be dishonored in any way? What's your life like? What's my life like? Do I have it rooted on that central purpose? What I'm really concerned about is having a life that honors and exalts Jesus Christ. Anybody can change the political process. Anybody can change the social setting. But only a believer in Jesus Christ entrusted with the powerful Word of God can change hearts and bring about true redemption. Not in our power, but through the Spirit of God who works in and through us. How are we doing? How are you doing personally? Individually? And it's as collectively, as individuals, we are adorning the Gospel, beautifully dressed in the proper attire. The wedding garments of the Bride of Christ, reflecting the beauty of His character that we as a Body of Believers will indeed honor Him. Let's pray together.