Scripture:
Titus 2:7-8 ESV
[7] Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Observation:
I know this is not a lot of scripture. However, there is a lot said in this scripture. Titus was an intelligent man. He knew the others were watching. And the way that those in the church lived out there, faith mattered. 1 Timothy 3:2 says an overseer must walk above reproach. Now I know that’s talking about an overseer, and some would like to separate that from a common church-going believer, but just for the sake of entertainment, let’s tie them together. What is Titus bringing to our attention is. I believe what he is saying is that those outside the church are going to look at everyone in the church by the conduct of those they come into contact with from the church. His point is that you can’t say one thing and do another. In the very next verse, he explains the reason for all this. When the actions of those in the church line up with what the Bible teaches. There is nothing that can be said. It takes the firey darts away from the enemy.
Application:
You may be the only bible someone ever reads. So what does your faith walk say about what Jesus has done in your life? What power do the words you speak carry? If someone were to read the bible that you are showing them with your walk. What would they say about the transforming power of Jesus? So let me tell you a story. It’s a story that changed my life. I came to know Jesus 14, almost 15 years ago now. Somewhere about 3 or 4 years into my walk, something happened that shook my faith, and I failed. Finding myself in a relapse. Still believing that Jesus saved me, going to the trap house playing K-love. With Jesusfreak tattooed on my head and a t-shirt on that said, Jesus is my superhero. From the outside, it looked good, but something was missing. I went there to get some dope. In the middle of the waiting, we got into a conversation. Jimmy looked at me and said… I’m not sure the GOD is real. His wife Melissa spoke up and said, (with disdain in her voice) GOD is not real. The opportunity to spread the gospel was presented. However, my actions did not line up with my outside appearance. Why would they want what I had when I went there to get what they had? A few days later. I decided to get clean. Went to an N.A. meeting and started to live differently. I was still living in my truck. Jimmy called me when I was about to go to sleep. He requested that I come to where they were going. They had a bunch of dope. I told him I chose to live differently now… that night Jimmy and his wife died in a car wreck. That killed all 4 people involved. So here is my point to this story. Had my life lined up with the bible, I was proclaiming to believe the results of that day of opportunity might have been different. But short of them crying out to Jesus when that headlight came at them. I know where they are. My request to you is this… live what you preach, let your faith be shown by your conduct. So that no one can say if that’s what it looks like. I don’t want anything to do with it. Like I said, you may be the only bible someone ever reads.
Prayer:
Father, we know the transforming power that is in your word. You are able to change us from dark to light. Our request this morning is that our lives line up with what your word says… so that when others look at how we live, they see a reflection of your son. We do not want to be hypocrites. Saying one thing and doing another. You have placed a light inside of us. Help us to place that light on a nightstand, not under a bucket. You have made us on purpose and for a purpose. If indeed we are the only bible, others are reading let our pages scream JESUS CHRIST has changed my life. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.