Righteous Living

GOLDEN TEXT: “And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” —Titus 3:14

TITUS 1:15 – 2:10

IN THE days of the Early Church the standards of righteousness adhered to by its members, especially its new members, probably varied somewhat according to the background of the converts. The Jewish converts, with the background of the Mosaic Law, would view matters differently than would the Greeks and other Gentiles, who knew little or nothing about the Law of Moses.

This meant that servants in the church had the task of helping all to see and to practice Christian standards. Paul speaks of some who he says “profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [margin, or, void of judgment].” These, seemingly, were professed believers who were mingling with those who had made greater progress in the way of holiness. Paul does not say that these could not change, and indeed, it was the privilege of those who served in the church to encourage them to change.

“Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine,” Paul wrote to Titus. The word “doctrine” simply means teaching, and here the teachings referred to by Paul were evidently those pertaining to Christian conduct and character. Paul continues: “That the aged men be sober, [margin, or vigilant], grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Here the doctrines of the divine plan are referred to as the “faith,” the most holy faith which was first delivered to the saints.

The aged women also were to be encouraged along similar lines, and additionally exhorted not to be accusers of others, and to be “teachers of good things.” Their teaching was to be particularly among the young married women in the church, exhorting them to love their husbands and children. These young women also were to be “discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.” The young men were likewise to be exhorted along the lines of soberness of mind, or, margin, to be discreet.

In thus exhorting others Titus was to show himself a pattern of good works: “in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” This is an important point. It is of little use to teach others the course of life they should follow if we do not practice what we say.

In chapter 3, verse 3, Paul presents thoughts worthwhile for us all to keep in mind when we are endeavoring to help others to walk in the way of holiness. He wrote, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Perhaps all of us do not fit into each of these categories of imperfection and misconduct, but Paul does present a good cross section view of the unregenerate world of unbelievers, and at one time or another we were all in this world. How thankful we are to have been called out of this unregenerate world, and have our feet firmly established in the narrow way of righteousness!

We do not attain salvation through what is generally understood to be righteous living, but by the saving power of Christ’s blood. Those who accept Christ and consecrate to do the Lord’s will, should automatically have their lives cleansed. If this is not the result, then we could very well have serious doubt as to whether or not the Lord has given us of his Holy Spirit.

The doctrines of the divine plan are important, and the Scriptures admonish the Lord’s people to maintain soundness in these doctrines. But soundness in doctrine alone does not bring salvation. Soundness of doctrine is the result of God’s saving grace having taken hold of us, and drawing us to him. If we corrupt these doctrines it would be an evidence that we are resisting the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We are to bear witness to the truth, and to show our appreciation of divine love, because we have been commissioned to be witnesses for Jesus, his ambassadors. The faithful witnesses of Jesus will live and reign with Christ in his thousand-year kingdom.—Rev. 20:4,6

QUESTIONS

What standards of conduct might well have existed in the Early Church?

Does the word “doctrine” apply to Christian standards and living, as well as to the divine plan?

Relate Paul’s instruction to Titus concerning aged men and women in the church.

How do we attain salvation?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |