Men in the Church, Part 2
Friday, June 20
As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. (Titus 2:1-2)
Commenting on this verse, John MacArthur said that men in the church “should have the discernment, discretion, and judgment that comes from walking with God for many years. They control their physical passions and they reject worldly standards and resist worldly attractions.” They refuse to be conformed to this world but are transformed daily by a renewed mind infused in Scripture (Romans 12:2).
Paul, in the last three terms in verse 2, brings to our consideration the Christian triad of “faith, love, and patience” (the natural outgrowth of hope). Mature, godly men are to be sound or healthy in their confidence and trust in the Lord. This kind of personal faith is rooted in a daily walk with God as Father and an immersion of one’s life in the Scriptures. This man not only knows what he believes and why he thinks it, but he knows in whom he believes. This is the man who says of his God, “Even when I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart.”
Jesus said in John 13:35 (HCSB) to His disciples on the night He was betrayed, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love is mentioned in a general sense here. We are to love God supremely, fellow believers genuinely, and lost humanity fervently. This kind of love, beautifully portrayed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, is to be the standard we strive to obtain day in and day out.
Doing the Word
Live by the Book.
Prayer
Dear Father, help me to live and promote a life that reflects wholesome and sound teaching according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.