“Promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.” Titus 2:1 NLT
“What you know to be true must plainly impact how you live.”
My thoughts today are to “get it straight.”
Most Bible translations use the word “doctrine” to describe teaching that is true to Scripture. There is a sad lack of “the kind of living that reflects right teaching” on the part of too many who claim relationship with Jesus Christ. That seems the product of an individual’s too little attention to the authority and substance of the Bible. The word itself, doctrine, may sound and seem a bit stuffy, something old and maybe boring, even though believed to be true.
More often, that has been a better description of its messengers and their uninspiring and unimaginative, matter-of-fact methods than of the Message of eternal Truth. It is a shame that someone can take the Word of God – “powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword . . discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV) – and make it lifeless and unexciting when shared.
Translations often use the phrase “sound doctrine,” to express the Apostle Paul’s concerned instruction to the young pastor, Titus, that he know and adhere to the Word of God steadfastly. This small book of the New Testament is only three chapters long, but every verse is filled with Paul’s concerned instruction that what you know to be true must plainly impact how you live.
Paul’s message is this: “. . live wisely in all you do. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can’t be criticized.” Titus 2:6-8 NLT.
Paul was clear. For the Christ-follower, what you say and do must be consistent – always one and the same! Can that be said of you? Your life reflects profoundly what you believe to be true, not what you profess to believe but what you believe strongly enough to obey. The Word of god has not gripped your heart in truth until it has shaped your character and conduct undeniably. I have heard it said, “Your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear a word you are saying!”
For popularity and crowds, there are churches that have settled for bits of truth, pleasant platitudes for easy listening that demand little of the hearer, informing without inspiring and entertaining without transforming. Do not be part of that audience. Require of a church what feeds your spirit, stirs your soul, and establishes clear convictions.
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT. I fear that time has come as Paul warned. I urge you; be a student of God’s Word and disciple of its truth. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT.
My prayer for you today is to love the Word and live it faithfully.